ATU student, Neasa Daly, has been named the Student Sport Ireland Sports Person of the Year.
The Salthill native was presented with the award at the Student Sport Ireland Sports Person of the Year Awards at the Hodson Bay Hotel last month. She plays both camogie and football for her club Salthill/Knocknacarra and is in third year of a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in ATU's Creative Arts campus in Galway city.
A standout dual player, Daly was instrumental in ATU Galway’s camogie team capturing both league and championship honours, while also playing a key role in the Ladies Football team’s journey to the Moynihan Cup final. Earlier this year, she was also awarded Sports Personality of the Year at the ATU Galway Sports Awards.
"Neasa went above and beyond this year in representing the ATU Galway Ladies Football and Camogie squads," said ATU Galway Sport Development Officer, Molly Dunne.
"She successfully balanced a demanding college placement in Brighton, UK, with her sporting commitments, while playing a pivotal role in the success of both teams this season.
"Her dedication to ATU Galway sport was rightfully recognised with the ATU Galway Sports Personality of the Year award, and it is especially fitting that she has now been honoured at a national level as the SSI Sportsperson of the Year," Dunne added.
Daly wasn't the only ATU success story of the night. ATU’s Atlantic Games event won the coveted Event of the Year Award at the national awards – scooping two of the six national awards on the night.
Rory McMorrow, ATUs Head of Access, Widening Participation & Sport, said that the recognition of the Atlantic Games event highlights the "incredible work" of the students and staff across ATU's three campuses in Galway, Sligo, and Donegal.
"The event showcased not only sporting participation and competition, but also the strong sense of community, collaboration and identity that exists across ATU. These awards reflect the ambition, talent and spirit that continue to drive student sport within our university," he added.
The Student Sport Ireland Sports Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, dedication, and sportsmanship of students and teams across the SSI community. The awards recognise excellence both on and off the field, highlighting the commitment, teamwork, and leadership shown throughout the sporting year.
