MTU students participate in Leaders of Tomorrow competition

Three Cork students were part of a four-person team from the Munster Technological University (MTU) Bishopstown campus which participated in the 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow Case Competition in Dublin, last weekend.

Students from MTU and University of Limerick (UL) joined peers from Texas Christian University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Two teams made up of students from the different universities focused, respectively, on how Limerick could maximise the impact of hosting the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, on Dublin hosting matches during UEFA Euro 2028.

Both teams’ recommendations addressed accessibility and inclusion, sustainability and transport, economic impact and opportunities for local businesses, and long-term legacy.

Three of the four engineering students representing MTU are from Cork: Elaine O’Donovan is originally from Skibbereen, Éamonn O’Leary is from Kinsale and Oisin Coghlan is from Garrettstown. They were joined by Fionn Griffin, who is based primarily at the university’s Kerry campus.

Taking place as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic programme, the competition brought students from the four universities together in mixed teams to tackle real-world challenges linked to two of Ireland’s biggest upcoming international sporting events.

The winning team focused on the UEFA project and comprised of Mark Centeno from TCU, Elaine O’Donovan from MTU, Leah MCarthy from UL, and Sidney Griffin from UNC. They were mentored by MTU lecturer Gene O’Donnell.

The competition is supported by Enterprise Ireland as part of the wider programme of activity connecting Ireland and the United States.

Professor Maggie Cusack, president of MTU, said the competition offered an exciting opportunity for students to apply their knowledge to a significant real-world challenge while working with peers from Ireland and the United States.

“We encourage our students to gain experiences that broaden their perspectives, build their confidence and prepare them for the world of work,” 

she said.

Christina Clancy, Enterprise Ireland regional manager, said major international sporting events can create significant opportunities for Ireland beyond the events themselves, from economic development and tourism to new business and international connections.

“Initiatives like this create valuable opportunities for students, universities and organisations on both sides of the Atlantic to collaborate, exchange ideas and build relationships that can endure well beyond a single programme or event,” she said.