Limerick senior hurling manager urges students to 'take opportunities'

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely urged students to take their chances as the latest cohort of scholarship recipients were honoured at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

This year, scholarships worth €185,000 were awarded to 18 students at a ceremony held at the Coonagh Campus in Limerick, where John shared insights on leadership and opportunity. The ceremony brought together recipients, their families, staff and industry partners to celebrate student achievement, and potential.

Scholarship recipients shared their experiences, reflecting on the impact of the programme on their academic journeys and future ambitions. Alex Murphy, a Business Studies student at TUS, said: “Receiving this scholarship was something I never imagined I could achieve.”

“Beyond the financial support, the scholarship has offered me the opportunity to gain practical experience and see firsthand how classroom learning translates into real-world business.”

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A fireside chat featuring John Kiely, Limerick senior hurling manager, and Carla DiBenedetto, Director of Regional HR, EMEA at Cook Medical, explored themes of performance, resilience and opportunity.

Addressing the students, John Kiely added: “We value the ability to analyse and to problem solve. You have to take your opportunities — you have to grab them... you need to make the most of the support around you, whether that’s friends, in the workplace or in your faculties, to get yourself going again.”

The scholarships are designed to ease the financial pressures associated with higher education, enabling students to focus fully on their studies.

The awards were officially opened by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, while the closing remarks were delivered by Dr Liam Brown, Vice President, Research, Development and Innovation at TUS. Dr Brown said: ”As well as our student recipients, these awards reflect the vital role of our staff and partners – individuals and companies – in supporting students to succeed, and the strong connections between TUS, the schools and the communities we serve.

“I would like to acknowledge the many innovative companies that TUS has built long-lasting relationships with and their willingness to give back.”