Energise Sport Competition

Archived News

GPA supports 30 players in 17 counties with scholarship awards.

15th February 2005

In an unprecedented allocation of funding directly to individual GAA players in third level education, the Gaelic Players' Association has awarded 30 scholarships to players from 17 counties in the four provinces. Funding for the program has been generated through the sales of Energise and the GPA's increasingly successful commercial strategy.

Since a highly successful launch in August 2003, Energise has used 60 players to promote the brand across billboards, television adverts and point of sale promotions. Money from every bottle sold is invested directly into gaelic games through a variety of worthy GPA initiatives including the scholarship program that has assisted 42 players in the last two years.

Commenting on the awards, Chief Executive Dessie Farrell:

"This unprecedented allocation of funding to 30 GAA players in third level education is indicative of the GPA's commitment to supporting our players throughout their playing careers. With the emphasis on professional levels of preparation in the modern game, it is simply not feasible for students to take up part time employment. In 2004 we awarded 12 scholarships from funds generated directly through the sales of energise, and since the GPA's inception our scholarship scheme has thus far assisted 60 players to balance their studies with a sustainable commitment to gaelic games. Energise is a players' brand offering direct benefits to the playing body through various initiatives including our scholarship scheme, and we would encourage all GAA people to support our players through consumption of energise, a world class Irish product."

The recipients of Scholarships in 2005 are:

Name County College
Conor Mc Carthy Cork Football UCC
Bryan Cullen Dublin Football DCU
Gary Dolan Westmeath Football Athlone IT
Rory Jacob Wexford Hurling Waterford IT
Adrian Cullinane Galway Hurling Waterford IT
David Hayes Galway Hurling Waterford IT
James Glancy Leitrim Hurling Waterford IT
Hugh Moloney Tipperary Hurling Waterford IT
Mark Brennan Carlow Football DIT
Daniel Kirby Mayo Hurling GMIT
Brian O'Donoghue Galway Football GMIT
Barry Loughane Clare Hurling GMIT
David Collins Galway Hurling GMIT
Kevin McMahon Cork Football UCD
William Minchin Carlow Football UCD
Cathal McErlean Tyrone Hurling UUJ
Malachy Mackin Armagh Football UUJ
Eoin Keating Limerick Football UL
George Sunderland Wexford Football UL
Tadhg Flynn Kerry Hurling UL
Kevin O'Sullivan Cork Football UL
Paul Durcan Donegal Football Sligo IT
Christy Toye Donegal Football Sligo IT
James Glancy Leitrim Football Sligo IT
Andy Moran Mayo Football Sligo IT
Diarmuid Lyng Wexford Hurling Forebal College
Desmond Shaw Carlow Hurling Carlow IT
Jason Brown Down Football Newry College
Conor McGarry Down Football North Down and Ards Institute
Eamon Callaghan Kildare Football Inchicore College

Players from Counties: