Seven young Mayo athletes honoured with Sheridan McDonnell Sports Bursary Awards
The awards, presented by Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach Mr John Caulfield, recognise the achievements of seven talented young athletes from across the county, who will each receive a share of the €25,000 fund to support their sporting ambitions.
Seven talented young athletes from across Mayo have been recognised for their sporting achievements with the presentation of the 2026 Martin Sheridan John McDonnell Sports Bursary Awards, held at Ardagh Community Centre on Monday, September 21.
The awards were presented by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Mr John Caulfield, who congratulated all seven recipients on their hard work, dedication and commitment to their chosen sports.
This year's winners, representing a broad spread of minority sports and towns across the county, are Eoghan Jennings from Westport (Tennis), Pearse Gallagher from Swinford (Triathlete), Damien Moyles from Crossmolina (Athletics), Pearl Sands from Ballina (Race Walking), Holly Renton from Westport (Athletics), Barry Langan from Ballinrobe (Javelin), and Cathal McNicholas from Kiltimagh (Shot Putt and Discus).
The bursary scheme now operates with a fund of €25,000, a significant expansion made possible by continued support from Mayo County Council, who contribute €15,000, and Portwest, who have committed €10,000 annually over the next five years as title sponsor.
The scheme was formally launched earlier this year at Áras an Chontae by then-Cathaoirleach Mr Seán Carey, opening the awards for applications from young athletes across the county.
Sporting legends
The bursary awards serve two purposes: to support young Mayo sportspeople who have already achieved success in their chosen discipline and who show the potential to go further with additional financial backing, and to commemorate two of the county's greatest sporting figures.
The awards honour Martin Sheridan from Bohola, regarded as Ireland's greatest Olympian and the outstanding athlete of his era, and John McDonnell from Ardagh, near Ballina, considered the most successful coach in the history of US collegiate athletics. Organisers say it is their hope that some of the young athletes supported by the fund will one day follow in Sheridan's footsteps by qualifying for the Olympic Games.
The Martin Sheridan Bursary Awards scheme began in 2013 with an annual budget of €5,000, supporting young sportspeople nominated by their clubs on the basis of ability, potential and their desire to compete at the highest level. While past winners achieved notable success, organisers felt greater funding could make an even bigger difference to their sporting careers.
This led the Martin Sheridan Bursary Committee to join forces with the John McDonnell Memorial Committee, a partnership that has driven the fund up to its current €25,000 total.
The Committee expressed sincere thanks to the Cathaoirleach and Councillors of Mayo County Council for their support of the scheme, as well as to council staff and to Portwest for their generous sponsorship.
The Committee also thanked its panel of adjudicators and Mayo Sports Partnership for their ongoing help and support.
The bursary scheme is funded through Mayo County Council and Portwest and is administered by the Martin Sheridan & John McDonnell Committee. It continues to provide vital support to talented young athletes across the county as they pursue their sporting ambitions.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme