Two student athletes profiled

NIALL CONLON, TCD

Niall Conlon is set to play professional rugby next year when he finishes his business and economics degree at TCD.

He has been studying on a sports scholarship for four years, and during that time has enjoyed training, transport costs, access to facilities and free accommodation on the Trinity campus.

"I currently play for the TCD university firsts," says Conlon, who is from Belfast. "I was captain of the Ulster schools' team when I applied for a scholarship four years ago. My time here at TCD has been studded with great moments - winning the all-Ireland under-20s in first year and getting promoted to the AIL first division with the TCD firsts in second year."

Balancing training and studying has been tricky enough for Niall - his social life had to be sacrificed. "I don't think I had the same sort of college experience as many students. You tend to spend a lot of time hanging out with other sports scholars because you're all on the same disciplined routine."

FIONNUALA BRITTEN, DCU

Fionnuala Britten considered applying for a sports scholarship in the US three years ago as her career as a cross-country runner was starting to take off. She wanted to remain in training with her Irish coach, however, so she opted for DCU's scholarship programme.

"The scholarship takes care of my accommodation, transport and gym membership, but I continue to work with my own coach in Wicklow. Living on campus means that I can train during the week at the elite gym and travel home to train with my coach at the weekends."

As a result, Britten has found it relatively easy to balance academic work and training, especially since many aspects of her sports science degree programme are directly applicable to her cross-country running. She even found time, in first and second year, to get involved with the Vincent de Paul society on campus.

"It doesn't matter how busy things get with study, my training will always come first," says Britten. "I know things will get difficult when I'm doing my finals next year, but I'm pretty confident I can fit it all in."