John Kiely urges students to grab their opportunities at TUS Scholarship Awards

John Kiely urges students to grab their opportunities at 2026 TUS Scholarship Awards. Hurling manager John Kiely with  Jhenifer Prezotto Garcia, sponsored by Cook Medical; Alex Murphy,  sponsored by Ei Electronics, and Lilymai Ryan, sponsored by an anonymous donor, at the TUS Community and Industry Scholarship Awards

Limerick Manager John Kiely urges the 2026 cohort of TUS Scholarship Awards students to “take your opportunities” as 188 students have benefited via €1.6million in support since 2014

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely urged students to take their chances as the latest cohort of scholarship recipients were honoured at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

The scholarships were awarded as part of the TUS Community and Industry Scholarship Programme, which has supported 188 students since 2014 with more than €1.6 million in funding.

This year, scholarships worth €185,000 were awarded to 18 students at a ceremony held at the Coonagh Campus in Limerick, where Kiely shared insights on leadership, resilience and opportunity.

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The ceremony brought together recipients, their families, staff and industry partners to celebrate student achievement, ambition and potential.

Scholarship recipients shared their experiences, reflecting on the impact of the programme on their academic journeys and future ambitions.

Alex Murphy, a Business Studies student at TUS, said, “Receiving this scholarship was something I never imagined I could achieve. Beyond the financial support, the scholarship has offered me the opportunity to gain practical experience and see firsthand how classroom learning translates into real-world business. Industry support like the Ei Ascent Scholarship at Ei Electronics bridges the gap between academic study and professional experience. Through initiatives like this, students TUS gain internships, mentorship, and networking opportunities. It inspires us to innovate, take initiative and prepare for our future careers with confidence.”

 A fireside chat featuring John Kiely, Limerick senior hurling manager, and Carla DiBenedetto, Director of Regional HR, EMEA at Cook Medical, explored themes of performance, resilience and opportunity.

Addressing the students, John Kiely said, “We value the ability to analyse and to problem solve. On the pitch, you can’t ring up and look for help — you have to figure it out, you have to find a way. Education, collaboration and a growth mindset within our group are really important for us as a team. To become an intercounty hurler, or to succeed in a company, you can’t just walk in. You have to get your education, you have to develop and grow as a person. You have to learn new skills, hone your skills and understand the wider picture around you.

“You have to take your opportunities — you have to grab them. We have all made mistakes along the way, but you need to make the most of the support around you, whether that’s friends, in the workplace or in your faculties, to get yourself going again.”

Now in its second decade, the scholarship programme is backed by a strong network of community and industry donors.

TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane said: “At TUS, we are focused on opening doors, creating opportunities and unlocking the potential of our students. These scholarships play an important role in that, giving students the support and confidence to succeed. Our strong partnerships with industry are key to this work, and I would like to sincerely thank all of the companies and partners who support the programme — both this year and since 2014. We are extremely proud of this year’s recipients.”

The scholarships are designed to ease the financial pressures associated with higher education, enabling students to focus fully on their studies and wider university experience.

The awards were officially opened by the Mayor of Limerick City and County Council, John Moran, while the closing remarks were delivered by Dr Liam Brown, Vice President, Research, Development and Innovation at TUS.

Dr Brown said: ”As well as our student recipients, these awards reflect the vital role of our staff and partners – individuals and companies  –  in supporting students to succeed, and the strong connections between TUS, the schools and the communities we serve. I would like to acknowledge the many innovative companies that TUS has built long-lasting relationships with and their willingness to give back and support our students.”