GAA ACADEMY

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The GAA Academy at Queen’s supports students across all five GAA codes, who are driven to improve as a player while they work towards a world-class qualification during their time at the University. In recent years the support programmes around these students and expertise to guide them has continued to grow. At present we field 14 teams across men’s and women’s Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Handball.  Our men’s, women’s and Fresher Football teams field at National League Division 1 level and in the Sigerson, O’Connor, and Billings Cups respectively. Our Hurlers and Camogs feature in National League Division 2 and the Ryan and Purcell Cups respectively. Handball has seen a revival in recent years with several talented players winning Intervaristy, Ulster, and All-Ireland titles.

 The GAA Academy is designed to focus resources and challenge athletes to maintain performance throughout their time on the programme. While the entry levels for performance programmes are based on current achievements, it is important that we ensure all athletes maintain their focus on individual and team performances throughout the season. Queen’s Sport has now adopted a performance review process in line with the university academic calendar in December and May of each year.  

    • Proven record at School level 

    • Top 5 U21 Inter-County Ranked player within home county based on references and steering committee assessment

    • Top 3 Ranked Inter-County Minor within home county based on references & committee assessment 

    • Established Inter-County player at Senior Level e.g started 1 game in Senior Championship

    • Ulster/Provincial Academy Referees list

    • The Academy steering committee may consider exceptional circumstances when ranking applicants 

  • TIER 1

    Gaelic Football

    • Starter on Division 1 National league, provincial championship or Sam Maguire winning team within the last 3 years, or

    • Senior International Rules player, or

    • Individual merit award e.g. Senior All-Star Nominee or Ulster Team of the Year.

    • An exceptional school leaver with outstanding potential may be considered, based on appropriate references

    Ladies Gaelic Football

    • Starter on Division 1 National league or All Ireland Senior championship winning team within the last 3 years, or

    • Individual merit award e.g. Senior All-Star Nominee

    • An exceptional school leaver with outstanding potential may be considered, based on appropriate references

    Hurling

    • All Ireland Senior (Liam McCarthy) finalist as a starter, or

    • Senior All Star award

    Camogie

    • All Ireland Senior finalist as a starter, or

    • Senior All Star award

    TIER 2

    Gaelic Football

    • All Ireland or Provincial Medallist as a starter at U20 or Senior level, or

    • Starter on senior inter county championship team in 3+ games in one season, or

    • Top 5 Ranked player within your County based on appropriate references, or

    • Top 5 ranked provincial player at School level based on appropriate references

    Ladies Gaelic Football

    • All Ireland Senior semi-finalist, Intermediate finalist or Junior winner as a starter in the last 3 years, or

    • An LGFA All-Star nomination

    • Starting player for an inter-provincial series in the last 3 years

    • Top 5 ranked player in your county, based on appropriate references

    • Top 5 Ranked at School level, based on appropriate references

    Hurling

    • An established track-record as an inter-county hurler at Liam McCarthy level (at least two years) or a Joe McDonagh finalist within the least two years

    • A top 3 rated player on an All-Ireland Senior Club winning team, based on appropriate references - A Fitzgibbon Cup All-Star Award Winner

    Camogie

    • All-Ireland Senior Semi-finalist, Intermediate Finalist or Junior All-Ireland winner as a starter within the past 3 years.

    • Camogie All-Star Nomination

  • Gavan.Duffy@qub.ac.uk

  • Gavan Duffy - GAA Development Officer

Support Services

The Sports Development Team at Queen’s Sport will be coordinating the support structure for all scholarship recipients and aim to make this achievement as beneficial as possible. This award entitles you to a number of benefits, which are coordinated by the Head Coach and GAA Development Officer. You will be required to follow the training programme maintain the Academy performance standards as set out by the Head Coach. 

  • Personal and specific athletic development programmes throughout the season 

  • Academic flexibility  

  • Lifestyle and time management mentoring 

  • Physiotherapy and sports medicine support on a needs analysis through Kingsbridge

  • All-inclusive membership to all indoor and outdoor sports facilities at Queen’s Sport 

  • Bespoke training and leisure clothing 

  • Degree Plus accreditation (route A) upon full completion of Academy programme