Former Mallow Town FC player Denzell Obenge has been awarded a dedicated scholarship through Cork City FC’s long-standing partnership with University College Cork (UCC).
Denzell is one of nine Cork City players selected for the scholarship programme for the 2026/27 academic year, with four players from the men’s squad and five from the women’s team receiving support.
The announcement comes just months after Denzell made his first-team debut for Cork City against Wexford FC in June.
A former student of Davis College in Mallow, Denzell is currently studying International Business with French at UCC.
The scholarship programme is designed to help players balance the demands of elite football with their academic studies, providing access to university resources and support.
Speaking about the partnership, Denzell said it had helped him manage the demands of combining football and education.
“Juggling sports and academics is never easy but here I have been given a lot of support through the various student resources available like UCC library which help me catch up on anything I missed through training,” he said.
Denzell’s latest achievement is another milestone in his football journey, which began with Mallow Town FC.
The club recently congratulated him following his Cork City first-team debut, describing it as a proud moment for the club.
He also became the first player from Mallow Town to feature in League of Ireland men’s football.
The partnership between Cork City and UCC has been running for more than a decade, supporting players who wish to pursue third-level education alongside their football careers. It also provides Cork City with access to UCC’s sporting facilities at the Mardyke Arena.
UCC President Professor John O’Halloran congratulated the scholarship recipients, highlighting the university’s commitment to supporting students in their academic and sporting ambitions.
