Anna Jones with Lisa Cafferky, Student Sport Pathway manager, and Michelle Tanner, head of Sport and Recreation, Trinity College Dublin.

Westmeath star celebrated at Trinity Sport Scholarship Ceremony

Westmeath LGFA star Anna Jones was celebrated as Trinity College Dublin unveiled its sport scholars for the 2021/22 season at an event for family and friends in the Dining Hall at Trinity.

Jones (Mullingar Shamrocks) was a member of the Westmeath team which won the 2021 All-Ireland Intermediate championship, defeating Wexford in the final at Croke Park.

This year’s awardees – 36 Trinity Sport scholars and 25 club academy scholars – will represent Trinity this season in a wide variety of sports including rugby, soccer, basketball, GAA, rowing and cricket.

Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh presented the awards on the night and Trinity Olympians and Paralympians Annalise Murphy (Rio 2016 Olympic Silver medallist in sailing – IRL), Charley Nordin (Tokyo 2020 Paralympic silver medallist in rowing - USA), Aifric Keogh (Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, rowing - IRL) and Cillin Greene (Senior International Mixed 4x400m relay Tokyo 2020 (IRL) took part in an Olympic themed panel discussion on the night.

Thomas Stevens (rowing) and Jack Dunne (rugby) were recognised as Trevor West Sport Scholarship athletes for their contribution to their respective sports at Trinity and outstanding performances.

The Global Graduate Sport Scholarship award in association with Trinity Business School and E3 was awarded to A’lexxus Davis (basketball) and Valerie Hajek (hockey). This scholarship enables talented international student athletes to compete at a high level within their sport whilst also completing a postgraduate academic programme at Trinity.

Michelle Tanner, head of Sport and Recreation, Trinity College Dublin, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the strongest calibre of student athletes that we’ve had for many years, certainly in the history of the Trinity Sport Scholarship awards programme.

“It is quite outstanding the number and level of student athletes that we have in Trinity including Olympic and Paralympic medallists, senior county, international and academy pathway athletes. We’re very excited about their prospects and potential over the coming months and years.”

Prof Catherine McCabe, Dean of Students, Trinity College Dublin, added: “To our student athletes, congratulations on receiving a place on this year’s Trinity Sport Scholarship Programme. This scholarship recognises your achievements so far, and importantly, your potential to go even further.

“It is our commitment to ensure all our student athletes get the full support and backing of the University to compete regionally, nationally and at international levels while also being able to excel in your academic course.”

Among those on the high-performance pathway and celebrated on the night were:

• Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist (Rowing - IRL) – Aifric Keogh

• Tokyo 2020 Paralympic silver medallist (Rowing - USA) –Charley Nordin

• Senior International Mixed 4x400m relay Tokyo 2020 (IRL) – Cillin Greene

• Ireland Senior International and Leinster rugby player – Ryan Baird

• Ireland Senior International and Ulster rugby player - Kathryn Dane

• Irish Senior 7s players - Meabh Deely, Soneva Scott and Liam Turner

• Irish Senior Cricket players – Rebecca Stokell and Leah Paul

• Irish Senior Basketball Internationals – Dayna Finn and Sarah Kenny

• Irish U19 Soccer International – Della Doherty