Denis Cummins, president Dundalk IT; Stephen Kenny, Dundalk FC manager; Martin O’Neill, Ireland senior manager and Ciaran Bond, Dundalk FC chairman at the launch of the new Dundalk IT-Dundalk FC partnership in Abbotstown this afternoon
Dundalk IT president Denis Cummins and Dundalk FC Chairman Ciaran Bond this afternoon launched a Soccer Scholarship Academy, which will provide third level scholarships to students of Dundalk IT who will also be attached to Dundalk FC.
The scheme is aimed at those CAO candidates who wish to pursue a third level education whilst simultaneously pursuing a professional soccer playing career at the highest level in Ireland.
DkIT will offer a total of four soccer scholarships each year to both Leaving Certificate students and mature students. A successful candidate’s performance will be assessed annually, under both academic and soccer performance criteria, across the duration of their academic programme. They will also assist as student ambassadors on college open days and in school recruitment initiatives as well as playing on the college teams.
The scheme is timely given the purchase of the Dundalk IT sport facility, due to open in September, where players can avail of the gym and facilities allowing them to continue with strength and conditioning training on campus. The partnership will be further endorsed when the DKIT logo is added to the back of both the ‘home’ and ‘away’ Dundalk first team players’ shirts this season.
Speaking at the launch at the Abbotstown National Sports Campus in Dublin on Monday, Denis Cummins said that he is delighted the college is in a position to create opportunities for footballers to pursue their careers whilst fulfilling their academic potential.
Dundalk FC chairman Ciaran Bond expressed his support for the initiative saying that the scheme is in keeping with Dundalk IT’s and Dundalk FC’s shared philosophy of contributing to the betterment of the economic and social life of the North-East region.
The launch was attended by Ireland football manager Martin O’Neill and FAI President Paddy McCaul, who welcomed the partnership initiative and praised Dundalk for their progress in recent times.
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