KERRY Senior Ladies Footballers Ciara O’Brien and Rachel Dwyer, who also study at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), were announced as the awardees at a virtual event on Tuesday evening.
They were chosen as this year’s Rachel Kenneally Memorial Award recipients, in recognition of their commitment to, and success in, Ladies Gaelic Football. The Memorial Award is in it’s second year and is presented in memory of Rachel Kenneally, who passed away in 2018.
Rachel Kenneally’s father, Denis, congratulated the two footballers. “It’s over two years ago since this bursary was announced in Rachel’s memory, and it remains a great honour that this bursary recognises and supports the young players who come through in her footsteps, succeeding at Ladies Football at club, college and County level.
I warmly congratulate Rachel and Ciara on their achievements to date and look forward to seeing their continued growth as players;” he said.
Ciara O’Brien, from Killorgin in Kerry, is a third year student on the Bachelor of Education programme at MIC. She has represented her county since Under-14s right up to the Senior Team. “I am extremely grateful to be awarded this bursary. Sports plays a potent role in my life and I love how it offers a form of release and the opportunity to focus on just that in the moment.
I look forward to honouring Rachel Kenneally’s memory by using this bursary to support me in fulfilling my potential both academically and in my sporting career;” she said at the event on Tuesday.
Rachel Dwyer from Waterville in Kerry, who is a First-Year Bachelor of Education at MIC, has a decade of Gaelic Football experience under her belt, and has been part of the Kerry Senior Football team since 2019, spoke about receiving the bursary award.
“I am delighted to receive the Rachel Kenneally bursary award. Football plays a big role in my life and Rachel Kenneally was a great advocate for Ladies Football. It’s a huge honour for me to be able to accept this award in the memory of such an inspirational person;” she said.
Rachel Kenneally graduated from MIC in 2013, having trained as a primary school teacher. She was a key member of the MIC Ladies Football team who were crowned Giles Cup Champions in 2012. She also spent five years representing the Premier County at inter-county level. The bursary awarded in her honour is funded by the Munster LGFA and sees Ciara and Rachel both receive €750.
Aherlow LGFA last year unveiled a commemorative jersey in memory of Rachel Kenneally, which includes the MIC logo, as well as that of Tipperary and the Dubai Celts, who she later played for.
