Waterford camogie player Róisín Kirwan has got another academic qualification across the line, graduating from South East Technological University (SETU) with an MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology.
Valuable experience
Róisín, from Kill, Co Waterford, is gaining valuable experience in the psychology field, working in rehabilitation settings and leading health and exercise classes. She returned to SETU Arena this week to claim her award at the University’s conferring ceremonies.
Beginning her educational journey, Róisín came to SETU directly after finishing secondary school, keen to pursue her passion for health, sport, and human performance.
“Having always been involved in sport, I developed a strong interest in how exercise benefits both the body and mind. This naturally led me to study the BA (Hons) Health & Exercise Science, where I could combine sport with learning about health, fitness, and overall well-being. From there, my interest grew into the psychological side of sport, which inspired me to progress into the MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology,” Róisín said.
Keen to explore the mental side of sport and performance in greater depth, Róisín added, “After undergoing two ACL injuries and long-term rehabilitation, I turned to sports psychology to help me through the process. Seeing first-hand how powerful mindset and psychological support can be in recovery really inspired me. Being involved in a high-performance sporting environment also showed me just how important the mental side of sport is.”
Support
This played out as she faced many challenges during her time at SETU, including personal injuries, family illness, and balancing the demands of study and sport. However, Róisín commended the incredible support she received from lecturers and the SETU Sports Scholarship Programme for making things easier.
“The constant feedback, encouragement, and understanding from my lecturers made a huge difference - in particular, Dr Emma Saunders and Dr Ciara Losty, who were both immense supports throughout my time at SETU,” she said. “The scholarship programme also gave me the flexibility to balance my academic work with playing senior camogie, while being surrounded by other driven athletes in a high-performance environment motivated me to keep improving every day.”
For Róisín, representing both SETU and Waterford in camogie alongside friends was something really special. “Looking back, it was the people, the teamwork, and the memories that made my time at SETU so memorable,” she added.
One of the most valuable things Róisín learned throughout her studies was the importance of communication, understanding, and adaptability when working with different individuals.
“My undergraduate placement at UPMC and my master’s studies in sport and exercise psychology both taught me how to support people in achieving their goals, whether that’s through physical rehabilitation or improving mental well-being. I also learned the value of teamwork, empathy, and reflective practice, all of which have helped me grow both personally and professionally,” she said.
Pride
Completing both her undergraduate and master’s degrees is a huge source of pride for Róisín, who said, “It was such a rewarding feeling to look back on all the hard work despite some setbacks on the way and know that I made both myself and my family proud. Balancing sport and study along the way made the achievement even more meaningful, and it’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
She advised new students to make the most of every opportunity and to get involved in things they are passionate about. Róisín hopes to continue developing her career in the field of sport and exercise psychology.
“My goal is to support athletes and individuals in reaching their full potential, whether that’s through recovery, performance, or personal growth. I’m excited to see where this path takes me and to continue learning and growing along the way,” she said.
