
Nuacht
Nuacht
Emerging Talent Bursary Awards Presentation
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) hosted a unique event for Local Authorities this week to celebrate the recipients of its Emerging Talent Bursary, awarding funding to 16 local athletes from across the county.
Aged between 14 and 20, the awardees have all achieved significant success at both national and international levels. They represent a diverse range of sports, including athletics, boxing, BMX cycling, karate, kickboxing, sailing, taekwondo, triathlon, and weightlifting.
Recognising the financial challenges faced by young athletes aspiring to compete at the senior international level, South Dublin Councillors allocated €65,000 in the 2025 budget to support their progression. In addition to receiving funding, the successful athletes will act as sports ambassadors for SDCC, promoting the benefits of sports participation across the wider community.
The Bursary scheme was managed by Active South Dublin and speaking on behalf of SDCC, Thos Mc Dermott, Head of Active South Dublin commented that “This first of its kind awards scheme is proof of the commitment of SDCC to the development of young people’s sporting talent in the county. In 2024 we celebrated the achievements of 5 local athletes representing the county at the Paris Olympics and we hope that our financial support will lead these athletes to future senior international and possibly Olympic success”.
The list of Bursary recipients were.
Name | Sport |
Kate O Connell | Athletics |
Saoirse Fitzgerald | Athletics |
Jack Kelly | Athletic |
Sean O’Donnell | Athletics |
Adam Olaniyan | Boxing |
Carly Hayes | BMX |
Calvin Mc Cann | Karate |
Asha Reen | Karate |
Zoe Mc Dermott | Karate |
Cillian Mc Ardle | Kickboxing |
Josh Riddell | Kickboxing |
Amy Wade | Kickboxing |
Cora Mc Naughton | Sailiing |
Ryan Doyle | Taekwando |
Aimee Carr | Triathlon |
Jack Kearney | Weightlifting |