University of Limerick to launch course specialising in journalism and sport

THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick is launching a new MA in journalism programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, focusing on sports reporting and communications.

With several high-profile media figures confirmed as adjunct professors on the new course, the MA in Sports Journalism will begin at UL this September. 

“Sports reporting is a very particular area in journalism and it is a very important area in journalism,” UL journalism lecturer Dr Fergal Quinn said. 

“It really sells newspapers, it drives a lot of commerce and it’s very under represented academically.”  This is the first specialised sports journalism course of its kind in Ireland, he added. 

“We have sports reporting elements in our current offerings but we didn’t really have a specialised pathway for those who were interested in the area,” Dr Quinn said. 

“We are also hoping this could lead to the UL Journalism Department becoming a centre for research in this area.” 

Former Ireland and Munster Rugby star Keith Wood, Irish Examiner Sports Editor Tony Leen and RTÉ’s Jacqui Hurley have also been confirmed as adjunct professors on the new course, Dr Quinn added. 

Including both the foundations of journalism and sports writing, broadcasting and communications, the MA course would suit retiring players who may want to join the media industry. 

“It’s not just sports reporting, it’s sports communications so essentially the public relations of sport, the whole communications side of the sports industry.”  The MA in Sports Journalism will be officially launched at 2.30pm on Monday February 25 at the UL Sports Arena.