Ballymahon kayakers share in local authority sports bursary
Two kayakers from Ballymahon were amongst ten sportspeople to receive financial support from Longford County Council at a recent sports bursary presentation.
Brothers, Jake and Luke Bermingham, will share in a bursary of €10,000, to be used to help them in their respective sporting careers.
A native of Colehill, Ballymahon, Jake Bermingham is a freestyle kayaker who has achieved on the international stage.
He recently achieved the gold medal at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup in Millau, France, and was placed seventh in the World Championships in Germany in 2025. Jake also took first place in the Irish National Championship in Limerick in 2025.
He was placed 15th in European Freestyle Kayak Championships in Austria in 2024 and was also proud to become the Canoeing Ireland Junior Male 'Freestyle Kayaker of the Year' in 2024 and 2025.
Various other achievements include first place in the junior Liffey descent in 2023 and 2024, first place in the Irish Freestyle league 2024 and third place in European Open Championship in Nottingham in 2024.
His brother Luke has also been recognised on the international stage having won a silver medal in the U15 category at the Cadet World Championships in Germany in 2025. This success ranked him second in the world.
Luke won a gold medal in the U15 and silver medal in the U18 category at the Irish Freestyle Championships in 2025 and he was also placed first in the U15 freestyle competition at the European Open in Nottingham in 2024.
The local authority said the bursary recognises the achievements of sportspeople who have the ability and potential to achieve success at a national and an international level.
“Our sports bursary scheme is about giving practical support at the right time. It helps ease the cost of training and competition, and it gives athletes a better chance to progress.
"Through Longford Sports Partnership, the council is delighted to award these bursaries to support local sportspeople. We hope it helps these athletes to keep moving forward in their chosen sport," Longford County Council Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon, stated.