Donegal County Council has this year again, as part if its budget for 2007 provided for a Sports Bursary Award Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to sports people of outstanding talent, providing them with access to training, study and development opportunities. An evaluation panel chaired by the Mayor of the County, Cllr Enda Bonner, representatives from the Sporting Sector and the Community & Enterprise Division allocated the awards in the sum of €41,500 to 34no. applicants as follows:
Jim Doherty, Newtowncunningham, Clay Target Shooting, Denise Donaghey, Burnfoot, Karate, Hugh Gallagher, Carrigart, Athletics, Benny Harkin, Convoy, Boxing, Chloe Magee, Raphoe, Badminton, Daniel Magee, Raphoe, Badminton, Mary McLoone, Letterkenny, Athletics, Garry Murray, Newtowncunningham, Athletics, Stephen O’Reilly, Stranorlar, Boxing, John Sweeney, Dungloe, Boxing, Michael Ferry, Dungloe, Fishing, Clare Scanlon, Killygordon, Skating, Kenneth Graham, Muff, Equestrian, Emily Greenan, Letterkenny, Modern Pentathlon, Bernard Doherty, Letterkenny, Canoeing, Gemma Hegarty, Greencastle, Golf, Ronan McLaughlin, Muff, Cycling, Gavin Carlin, Killygordon, Soccer, Aedan Neary, Buncrana, Gymnastics, Tracey Gallagher, Churchill, Showjumping, Shaun Sharkey, Letterkenny, World Junior Fly Fishing, Cathal McMonagle, Letterkenny, Boxing, Lee Bradley, Ballybofey, Boxing, Danny Tourish, Ballybofey, Boxing, Paul Doherty, Ballybofey, Athletics, Joanne English, Letterkenny, Athletics, Ian Ward, Castlefin, Athletics, Sinead Jennings, Letterkenny, Rowing, James King, Ramelton, Athletics, Sam Magee, Raphoe, Badminton, Brendan Smith, Letterkenny, Rugby, Eoghan O’Rian, Letterkenny, Rugby, Paul Vaughan, Carrigart, Cycling, Ciara Neary, Buncrana, Gymnastics.
A formal presentation of the awards was made by Mr. Packie Bonner, Former International Goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland at a reception hosted by the Mayor of the County, Cllr Enda Bonner, in the County House, Lifford, on Monday, 25th June, 2007.
The Council is delighted to be able to assist the development of sport by people from Donegal. A number of the successful applicants will be travelling abroad this year to participate in international sporting events or avail of specialised training.
Further information on the Sports Bursary can be obtained by contacting John Boyce, Community & Enterprise Division, Donegal County Council, Lifford, tel. 07491 72471. E-mail jboyce@donegalcoco.ie.