A record number of 31 promising young Connacht GAA players and administrators have been included in the province's annual bursary scheme. Each of the five Connacht counties is represented in the initiative which provides financial assistance to students who have displayed potential and commitment on the Gaelic games front. "The purpose of this bursary scheme is to honour young people who have excelled in the GAA. This year, we have selected 28 outstanding players, all of whom will contribute to the GAA club and life in their colleges," said Connacht Council Games Manager John Tobin. "We have also honoured three young administrators, who are involved in their college as team trainers, club officers, and in other crucial roles. We are particularly proud of this aspect of the scheme as the GAA has always relied upon quality administrators to keep its wheels turning." The presentation of the bursary cheques was made to the recipients at a function in the Ard Ri Hotel, Tuam. Connacht GAA President Paddy Naughton said the annual bursaries were "an illustration of our commitment to the young people who keep our sports alive." He added: "I never cease to be impressed by the quality of young people we attract to our games. "In this scheme we thank them for their commitment, recognise their talent, and help them out at a crucial time in their lives, when they are gaining a third-level education. This is money well spent by the Connacht GAA Council, and I know this investment in our young people will yield handsome dividends for the students, and for the GAA in Connacht, over the years ahead." One of the recipients - promising Roscommon footballer Peter Domican - said "this is a great boost for all who are honoured." He added: "We are all hugely committed to our chosen sport of Gaelic games, and to be recognised and supported in this way means a great deal. "I would like to thank the Connacht GAA Council for this initiative, which provides timely support to a large number of recipients." The full list of recipients is as follows: Hurling/Gaelic football - Naos Connaughton (Roscommon), Froebel College, Dublin; Gaelic football - Jonathan Ryan (Galway), GMIT Galway; Edward Hoare, Galway (NUI, Galway); Colin Forde (Galway), UCD; Dermot Reynolds (Leitrim), IT Sligo; David O'Connor (Leitrim), UCD; Barry Moran (Mayo), Athlone IT; Sean Prendergast (Mayo), DCU; Aidan Campbell (Mayo), GMIT, Galway; Tom Cunniffe (Mayo), John Moore University, Liverpool; David Gavin (Mayo), NUIG; Neil Douglas (Mayo), NUIG); Kieran Conroy (Mayo), NUIG); Cathal Cregg (Roscommon), DCU; David Keenan (Roscommon), DCU; Conor Devanney (Roscommon), NUIG); Cathal McHugh (Roscommon), NUIG; Peter Domican (Roscommon), NUIG; Ronan Brady (Roscommon), UL; Keelan Cawley (Sligo), IT, Sligo); Hurling - Kevin Keehan (Galway), NUIG; Barry Daly (Galway), NUIG; Richard Cummins (Galway), UL; Keith Raymond (Sligo), IT Sligo; Ladies football - Patricia Gleeson (Galway), GMIT, Castlebar; Sinead Burke (Galway), NUIG; Catriona Cormican (Galway), NUIG; Aine Gormley (Sligo), IT Sligo. Administration - Cathal Freeman (Mayo), NUIG; Aaron Clogher (Roscommon), DCU; Ciaran Brennan (Sligo), IT Sligo. Tweet

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