24 new athletes are set to be honoured at the annual UL Sport Scholarship Awards which is set to take place on November 18. Among the 140 athletes to be recognised, 24 rookies join the 2025 class.
The university’s model emphasises the idea of the “student-athlete”. Every recipient must be a full-time UL student and must also be affiliated with a recognised national governing body of sport. That dual focus on academic and athletic achievement has been at the heart of the programme’s success. 5 newcomers who have already made their mark are John Shortt, Sadhbh Ní Laoghaire, Caitríona Finn, Shane Allison and Daniel Kirby.
John Shortt is the first of the new wave of talent. Shortt is one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging swimming prospects and an Arts student. Having competed successfully at national and international levels, Shortt has already shown remarkable potential in the pool. Consistent podium finishes, including two golds and a bronze at the World Aquatics Junior Championships. He has also achieved gold and bronze at the European Swim Championships. In recognition of his flagship season, John has been nominated for Rising Star of the Year at the Olympic Sport Awards.
His decision to study and train at UL allows him to combine academic ambition with access to world-class aquatic facilities, including Ireland’s only Olympic-sized pool outside of the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
Bantry Rowing Club athlete Sadhbh Ní Laoghaire joins the Academy as one of Ireland’s brightest young para-rowers and the program’s first World Music student. At just 17, Ní Laoghaire captured widespread attention in 2024 when she won two gold medals at the Home International Regatta in Scotland, triumphing in both the 2 km and 500 m PR2 scull events.
Her dominance on the water, marked by composure, precision and endurance, positioned her among Ireland’s most promising para-athletes. Building on that momentum, she was selected in 2025 for the Irish PR2 Mixed Double Scull team for the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai. She teamed up with UL alumnus and former sport scholar Tiarnán O’Donnell. A symbolic link between the university’s past and present generations of elite rowers.
Caitríona Finn, a 19-year-old out-half from Garrykennedy, Co. Tipperary has already emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Irish rugby. A natural leader, she came to prominence as captain of the Ireland U18 Women’s Sevens team. She guided her side through a successful international campaign.
Her leadership qualities and all-round skill quickly propelled her into the senior game. She made her Munster Women’s Rugby debut while still in her teens. In 2025, Finn’s rapid development was recognised when she was named Breakthrough Women’s Player of the Year at the club’s awards.
That same season, she delivered a standout performance in Munster’s interprovincial victory over Leinster. She earned a second player-of-the-match accolade in as many games.
Shane Allison, a taekwondo prodigy from Ballybrittas, Co. Laois, represents one of the most dynamic additions to this year’s academy. Still in his teens, Allison has already made a name for himself on the international stage with a string of impressive performances. In 2023, he was crowned ITF World Champion in the -75 kg sparring division in Finland.
Building on that success, Allison captured his second ITF European title in 2024 at the championships in Poland. He also played a key role in securing silver with the Irish junior male team sparring squad. Allison is studying Health & Fitness Management. He continues to expand his world champion status with the support of the UL Sport Scholarship Academy. Shane now has the platform to continue his international rise while pursuing his studies.
Daniel Kirby brings a strong GAA pedigree to the UL, representing both his club Austin Stacks and Kerry GAA. A skilful and composed midfielder, Kirby first came to prominence when he was selected for the Kerry Minor’s in 2023. His work rate quickly earned him recognition as one of the county’s most promising young players. His impressive performances led to a recall to the Kerry panel in 2024, cementing his reputation at an inter-county level.
At club level with Austin Stacks, one of Kerry’s most storied sides, Kirby has developed into a key link player. He’s known for his ball-handling under pressure and clean distribution. His consistency in the county championship and his leadership at underage level mark him as a player to watch. He remains a player on the cusp of senior inter-county football. At UL, Kirby is well positioned to develop both on and off the field, joining the fresher squad this year and studying Business.
As the university prepares for the presentations, the event will be more than a ceremony. It is a moment to recognise the progress of a programme. It began modestly less than a decade ago and has since become one of Ireland’s leading models for student-athlete support.
The UL Sport Scholarship Academy’s growth from 32 athletes to 140 reflects not only institutional commitment but also the ambition, resilience, and talent of the students it serves. The upcoming presentation will celebrate that journey while looking ahead to an even stronger future for sport at UL.