17 athletes representing rugby, hockey, GAA, track and field, rowing, and pentathlon have joined the UCD Elite Athlete Academy for 2010.

“The Academy supports student athletes so they can achieve at the highest national and international level in their sport while studying for their university degree,” says Professor Colin Boreham, Director of the UCD Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin.

Recognising that a dedication to sport at the highest level can sometimes prevent students from achieving the CAO points they require for their chosen degree, this scholarship programme offers student athletes a supplementary route to degree programmes at UCD. It takes into account a students’ capability to simultaneously achieve in sport and academia.

Students who join the UCD Elite Athlete Academy receive financial assistance, campus accommodation, sports science mentoring, sport medicine and physiotherapy support, elite strength and conditioning training, nutrition and psychology support and tailored training and testing. They are also assigned an academic mentor who helps them to balance their academic and sporting commitments.”

Joining the UCD Elite Athlete Academy 2010 was Pentathlete, Arthur Lannigan O’Keeffe who is studying business and law at UCD. Arthur won the British Junior (u21) Modern Pentathlon Championships in 2009. Track and field athlete, David Campbell who is studying Physiotherapy at UCD. David was National 800 champion 2007; national 1500 champion 2007 and 2009; world championship representative for 800 in 2007; and has attained Euro 2010 championship standards for 800/1500.

Hockey players, Brenda Flannery who is studying Physiotherapy, Luke Chadwick who is studying Health and Performance Science, Niamh Atcheler who is studying Sports and Exercise Science, and Chloe Watkins who is studying Physiotherapy.

Rower, Sean Jacob who is studying an MA in history at UCD. Sean won the Bronze medal at the Rowing World Cup in Munich 2008; and took 10th place in men’s four at the World Championships in 2005. Claire  Lambe (Rowing).  Member of the UCD crews which won the Intermediate 8 and Intermediate 4 titles at the National Championships in 2009.  Silver and bronze medallist with Ireland at the Coupe de la Jeunesse.  Member of the Ireland U23 and senior lightweight panels for the forthcoming World Cup Regattas.Claire also went on to win fourth place at the European Championships, racing in the Lightweight Womens Double this September.

GAA Hurlers, Matthew O'Hanlon who is studying Commerce International at UCD, and Joseph Lyng who is studying Agricultural Science at UCD. Matthew won the Leinster league and Leinster championships in 2008. He also made the final All-Ireland college's 'A' group. Joseph made the minor all -Ireland final in 2009. He also won the senior Leinster Colleges championship.

John O’Loughlin (Gaelic Football & Hurling).  Laois senior footballer.  Winner of Leinster Football Championship medal at minor and Under 21 levels.  Shortlisted for Young Player of the Year in 2008.  UCD senior team captain 2009/10. Kevin McGourty (Gaelic Football & Hurling).  Antrim senior footballer and hurler.  Represented Antrim at all levels from U14 to senior.  Member of the victorious St. Galls All Ireland Club Championship winning team 2010.  Won Sigerson Cup with Queens University in 2008.

Rugby players, Sam Coughlan Murray studying business and law, Robert Hynes studying commerce international, Eoin Joyce studying arts, and David Doyle studying physiotherapy.

“This is our first intake of athletes into the Academy, and I have no doubt that they will become excellent role models for other student athletes at University College Dublin and nationally,” says Professor Boreham.

Some of Ireland’s best known sports figures studied at University College Dublin including: rugby players, Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Wallace and Rob Kearney; track and field athletes, Derval O’Rourke & Joanne Cuddihy; GAA footballers, Brian Dooher, Alan Brogan and Paul Griffin; and international golfer, Peter Lawrie.