As intercounty contests gain momentum, the clock is also counting down for GPA members to apply for the 2025 MIC GPA Scholarship, with the deadline for applications set for Friday, 25 July.
This scholarship scheme—run in partnership between Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA)—offers prospective postgraduate students the opportunity to pursue studies in Education and the Liberal Arts at MIC. Successful applicants can receive fee waivers of up to €5,000 per year, with MIC and the GPA each contributing 50% of tuition fees.
Two elite intercounty athletes are the 2024 recipients: Galway Senior Hurler, Eoin Lawless and Waterford Senior Camogie Player, Niamh Murphy—both of whom are undertaking the Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) programme at MIC.
Eoin, from Athenry, is currently in his first year of the PME programme at MIC. A rising star in hurling, Eoin debuted with the Galway Senior team in 2023 and was named to the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Hurling Rising Stars Team of the Year. He describes the scholarship as "crucial financial support" that enables student-athletes to pursue both academic and sporting excellence. He said he was “delighted and honoured to receive the MIC GPA scholarship this year”, noting:
“Mary Immaculate College has always been my first and only choice to complete my Master’s, and I look forward to becoming an ambassador for the college. The MIC GPA scholarship provides crucial financial support, which allows full-time students and athletes like myself to achieve results in both academic and sporting careers. This award gives students a chance to balance the intense teaching programme with the demands of sport at a high level.”
Niamh, in her second year of the PME programme, returned as a scholar for the second year running. She played a key role in Waterford’s 2023 All-Ireland Camogie Championship campaign and continues to inspire as both player and coach. Speaking about the scheme, Niamh had this to say:
“I am delighted to receive the MIC GPA scholarship. It is great that the College is acknowledging camogie players and helping them financially, as they understand the cost related to playing the sport, like the need to travel, for example. It allows me to keep playing camogie at a high level whilst completing my Master’s. I would advise anyone interested to apply for this as it helps take the pressure off and allows you to focus on your studies and continue playing your chosen sport."
Professor Niamh Hourigan, Vice-President Academic of MIC, emphasised the College's strong sporting tradition:
“We are delighted to partner once again with the Gaelic Players Association in these postgraduate scholarships, offering GPA athletes the opportunity to further their academic journey at MIC whilst continuing to pursue their sporting career. MIC has a long sporting tradition with sport and recreation playing a significant role in the lives of our students, and the MIC GPA Scholarships are a great addition to our suite of awards and supports available.”
GPA CEO, Tom Parsons, commented: “The GPA’s mission is to enable players to balance the huge demands placed on players with the opportunities, support and investment required for them to be at their best, on and off the pitch. The support of our education partners is a fundamental component of the work we do, and on behalf of players, I want to thank MIC for its ongoing collaboration and its support of our members. Congratulations to Niamh and Eoin on being awarded this year’s MIC GPA Sports Scholarship. We hope this assistance will enable you to achieve your full potential away from the rigours of intercounty action.”
Applications close 25 July 2025. Under the scheme, MIC contributes 50% of the successful applicants’ programme fees and the GPA contributes the remaining 50%, allowing them to avail of fee waivers of an increased sum of up to €5,000 per annum.
Interested applicants can enquire about the scheme and make their initial scholarship application by submitting their CV and cover letter to: Brian.Howard@gaelicplayers.com.
More information is available on this and other sports scholarships at MIC at www.mic.ie/scholarships
