From Late Starter to Sports Scholar: Cian’s volleyball journey at DkIT

Cian was a latecomer to the volleyball circuit, only taking up the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was considered one of the safer options due to its minimal contact. What began as a casual way to stay active soon became something more serious.

“I started playing with some other kids I grew up with and it ended up turning into a regular session,” he recalls. “The equipment we were using was awful — flat shoes, a terrible setup — and we even played in the rain.”

Just five years later, Cian is playing Division 1 Volleyball with Carrick Crows Volleyball Club while also leading the DkIT volleyball Club. He credits his rapid development to the wide range of sports he played growing up

 “I transitioned from sport to sport. I played basketball for nearly 10 years, then a bit of badminton whenever I was overseas in China, and then every other sport going- GAA, soccer whatever anyone was playing. When you learn small things from each sport and you take it on into the next one, all those techniques led me to volleyball.”

Keeping people engaged in volleyball is one of Cian’s top priorities. Interest in the sport is on the rise in Ireland, with Volleyball Ireland continuously creating initiatives to help improve accessibility, develop young talent, and get coaches up to standard.

“We are definitely seeing more people get involved and have about 60 people in the society now, says Cian. “It’s amazing to see new students come in and bring different skills to the group.”

Balancing leadership responsibilities with training and academic commitments requires significant dedication. Cian trains with Carrickmacross on Saturday mornings and completes three-hour training sessions in college on two weekdays, in addition to strength and conditioning work. Despite the demanding schedule, he says the sports scholarship has been hugely beneficial.

“In addition to training commitments and running the clubs, we get involved in some of the big events like the annual 10km race. We get so much help with managing the clubs and the DkIT team are there to help you figure out any issues.”

Although Cian had considered going to college in the UK, the impact of Brexit and COVID altered his decision to move away. The close proximity of DkIT to his home in Carrickmacross and being able to have support of family and friends nearby throughout his studies made choosing DkIT a no-brainer. 

A past pupil of Patrician High School, Cian initially started a degree in Film and TV, before realising that it wasn’t the right choice for him. He then opted to take a year out where he worked in the sports industry, coaching at camps and working with kids across a variety of ages. 

“Taking that time gave me an insight of what I’d be good at. I love socialising with people and learning how to interact with people and understanding what works best for different personalities.”

The time out confirmed that sport was the right career path for him. Cian is an advocate for young people having a balance between study and hobbies and he believes sporting clubs play a vital role in building community and easing academic pressures. 

“I often talk to the kids I coach about finding their passion. It might be their course or it might be their sport. I think that if you have something you really love you’ll want to stay here and keep being part of that community.”

The practical nature of the sports and business course is what stands out most for Cian. He particularly enjoys modules such as Fundamental Movement, which he sees as vital to early athletic development.

“Getting a deeper insight into these skills is so important. As a kid, I learned how to throw or pass a ball, but now I understand why developing basic movement skills matters so much in sport.”

He also values the business and enterprise elements of the course, which offer opportunities to learn how to set up or manage a business. In third year, students can specialise, and for Cian, sport was the obvious choice. He notes that the scientific components of the course came naturally to him. 

“I studied biology and physics in secondary school, and they fitted seamlessly into the course, giving me a strong head start.”

One of the most challenging but also rewarding parts of the course for Cian is the experience of being a coach. 

“Leading children for the first time was a big responsibility. There are rules to follow, so you have to do it by the book, but you also have to be ready to react. If something doesn’t work out, you need to figure out what to do next on the spot.”

Through his studies, Cian has coached children and teenagers of all ages, with the 8–12 age group being his favourite. “They don’t take it quite so seriously; you can let them enjoy what they’re doing and not overthink everything.”

Balancing training and coursework was initially challenging, particularly in first year.
“It was then when I first really learned what time management was,” he laughs. The commitments also had a lot of benefits. 

“I grew stronger, the likes of strength and conditioning and having access to a physio, meant that I had a lot less injuries than I used to and I was able to train more consistently.”

Having completed placement with énergie Fitness, Cian was delighted to stay with the business in a part time role as a certified Personal Trainer. While his ultimate ambition is to play professional volleyball, he is equally passionate about coaching and mentoring young athletes.

“I will always remember my basketball coach Declan Toner really fondly. He really supported me as a kid and I want to be that figure for the kids I work with and guide them when they need it.”

Sports Scholarships at DkIT are available to anyone playing sport at an elite level. DkIT currently has over 90 sports scholars on its books. Sports Scholars can receive reduced tuition fees, regular physio sessions, strength and conditioning, DkIT sports kit and access to the state-of-the-art DkIT Sport gym.