Fitzgibbon & Laois Hurler, James Duggan is awarded Graduate Sports Scholarship

University College Dublin celebrated the induction of the 2025/26 Graduate Sports Scholars with a ceremony on October 14th, 2025. This prestigious event honoured exceptional student-athletes who have excelled in both their sporting disciplines and academic pursuits.

The Graduate Sports Scholarship (GSS) program at UCD supports athletes competing at the highest levels - both nationally and internationally - while pursuing postgraduate studies. It embodies a commitment to balancing athletic and academic excellence, providing a supportive environment for student-athletes to thrive in both areas.

For the School of Agriculture and Food Science, we are delighted to congraulate UCD Food and Agri Business Management graduate student James Duggan who is now studying an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. 
The awarded was presented to James by head of UCD GAA and Senior Dublin Manager, Ger Brennan, Dean of Agriculture Head of (opens in a new window)UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Frank Monahan and Director of Student Services, Dominic O’Keeffe.

James was Vice Captain of last years Fitzgibbon team and is a star for Laois hurling recently scoring 5-02 against Kerry with an incredible display. With the Higher Education GAA season set to start this week, we look forward to seeing James in action. 

More about the Scholarship

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the scholars, acknowledging their dedication to academics and sports, as well as the contributions of individual UCD Schools that sponsor the scholarships.

The event was more than a celebration of individual accomplishments; it was a testament to UCD’s commitment to developing leaders who excel in both competitive sports and academic endeavors. The GSS program continues to reflect UCD’s ethos of ambition and excellence, inspiring the next generation of scholars and athletes alike.

Scholarship benefits include a 50% reduction in tuition fees, academic mentoring and support, access to top-tier performance gyms, elite sporting facilities, professional strength and conditioning coaching, and tailored nutritional guidance. Scholars also graduate with a qualification from Ireland’s leading university, further enhancing their future prospects.