There was no shortage of silverware at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) on Thursday evening as 14 students and alumni were honoured at a special reception acknowledging their sporting achievements at a national level.
Amongst those to be honoured were six members of the All-Ireland winning Limerick Senior Hurling Team: Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane, Richie English, Darragh O’Donovan, David Reidy and Declan Hannon (Captain). Earlier that day as part of the MIC conferring ceremony Cian, who graduated this week with a BA in Geography and Theology and Religious Studies and Aaron, current BA student, received an Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of their sporting achievements. Cian has been shortlisted for an All Star Award in 2018; was a member of the victorious MIC Fitzgibbon team in 2016 and 17, has a Limerick U-21 All Ireland Hurling Title for 2015 and 2017 and a Limerick County Senior Hurling Medal with Patrickswell in 2016. Aaron was also shortlisted for All Star Award 2018; was Munster Player of the Year in 2017 and part of the victorious MIC Fitzgibbon Cup team in the same year.
Not to be outdone by the men, high-achieving women were also heavily represented when six members of the Limerick Junior All-Ireland winning Ladies Football champions 2018 were acknowledged; Rebecca Delee and Caroline Hickey, who both graduated this week; current students Ciara Ryan, Karen O’Dwyer and Kate Geary; and alumna Clíona Ní Cheallaigh.
Roisín Upton, current PME (Primary Teaching) student was also present and was honoured at this year’s conferring ceremony with an Award for Outstanding Achievement. Róisín, from Raheen, Limerick, played a part in Irish sporting history as a member of the Ireland Women’s Senior Hockey Team who took home silver in the 2018 Hockey World Cup final in London in August. She was awarded the Limerick Sports Star award for August and the (quarterly) Evening Echo Sports Star award, and was recently inducted into the Roll of Honour at her former school, Crescent College Comprehensive.
Also acknowledged on the evening was Linda Collins, a current final year B Ed student from Kinsale, Co. Cork. Linda was honoured at this year’s conferring ceremony with an Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of her sporting achievements as part of the winning All-Ireland Senior Camogie team in 2018 and 2015. She was nominated for Player of the Year in 2016 and received the Soaring Star Award in 2016 and again in 2017. Linda has represented MIC in the Ashbourne Cup for the past three years.
Speaking at the event Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC said: “I am delighted that you are all here this evening to afford us the opportunity to congratulate you in person and to tell you how inspired we are by your determination and tenacity, and that all at MIC are immensely proud of you and your achievements.
Behind every graduate there are always other people to be found, dedicated mothers, fathers, grandparents, spouses or partners, relatives or friends, who have also been part of the journey that culminates in the graduation ceremony. The sporting journey is very similar, and it is wonderful to see people here this evening, who have supported and encouraged you to this day, including parents, friends, people involved in sport here at MIC, academic and professional services and Chaplaincy staff.”
Concluding, he thanked Cian, Aaron, Richie, Declan, Darragh, David, Roisín, Rebecca, Caroline, Ciara, Karen, Kate, Clíona and Linda for bringing pride to the College and for being wonderful ambassadors for MIC.
