CHAMPION jockey AP McCoy was in a different kind of winner’s enclosure last Saturday when he helped celebrate the success of 125 secondary students from all over Ireland who were presented with All Ireland Scholarships at the University of Limerick.
The students, from the North and South of Ireland, received the third level scholarships at a high profile ceremony where Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and her Northern Ireland counterpart Dr Stephen Farry presented the awards.
Sponsored by Limerick philanthropist JP McManus, the educational scheme provides financial assistance to many high achieving students who completed their Leaving Certificate/A Level examinations in 2015.
Among the winning students was 19-year-old Limerick asylum seeker, Anna Kern who is studying Physiotherapy at the Royal College of Surgeons.
Maebh Ní Ghuairim from Castletroy and Conor Cregan from Glin are the other Limerick recipients.
Congratulating this year’s recipients, AP McCoy said that the award recipients should be incredibly proud of their achievements which proved that if you are willing to be dedicated to something and apply yourself, great things can happen.
JP McManus commented: “It is wonderful to be joined by so many parents, principals, friends and other invited guests from all over Ireland as we celebrate the success of these young men and women, who today are being recognised for their outstanding academic achievements.”
He added: “To our special guest and great friend AP McCoy, we are honoured to have you present at the awards event. In your illustrious career you have shown the value of hard work, determination and bravery matched by undoubted ability. Your qualities certainly stand out as an example to others of how to succeed in life and also how to carry one’s success lightly.”
The scholarships have been set at €6,750 per annum in Ireland and £5,500 in Northern Ireland and will continue for the duration of the undergraduate programme chosen by the scholarship winners.
To date, JP McManus has contributed €32 million in support of third-level educational initiatives throughout the island of Ireland.
