From Setbacks to Comebacks: Coleraine’s Molly Curry Rises Again With Bursary

Coleraine’s Molly Curry has just secured a £500 bursary, thanks to a partnership between Mary Peters Trust and Hughes Insurance—a vital boost that will help fund her training and competition costs as she fights to make her return to elite rowing.

At just 22, Molly is already a force to be reckoned with. Her sporting journey began in the Ulster swimming squad, but at 14, she took a leap of faith into rowing. It was a gamble that paid off—her natural talent and fierce determination saw her progress rapidly, leading her to represent Queen’s University Belfast and even Great Britain on the international stage.

Training 11 times a week, Molly has competed in singles, doubles, and quads, making waves at prestigious events like Henley Women’s Regatta and the World U23 Rowing Championships in Bulgaria, where her team secured an impressive 8th place in the quad sculls.

But elite sport comes with its share of hurdles. Injuries have kept Molly out of the boat since last summer, testing both her resilience and mental strength.

"Injuries are part of any athlete’s journey, but the road back is never easy. I’ve had incredible support from Queen’s Sport, GB Rowing, and my family, who’ve kept me focused. This bursary will help with travel and accommodation for trials and training camps—it’s a massive boost as I work towards getting back on the water and competing at my best this season," Molly shared.

With the regatta season fast approaching, Molly set her sights on major competitions, including the BUCS Regatta in Nottingham in May and the Henley Women’s Regatta in June. She’s also targeting the World University Championships in Germany this July as she pushes towards her dream of joining the GB Rowing senior squad.

Lady Mary Peters, a long-time advocate for young sporting talent in Northern Ireland, praised Molly’s perseverance: "Northern Ireland’s rowers have been excelling on the world stage, and supporting athletes like Molly is crucial. She has shown outstanding determination to come back stronger, and this bursary—delivered in partnership with Hughes Insurance—will ensure she has the resources to succeed. I have no doubt Molly is on the path to great things."

Juggling elite sports with academics is no easy feat, but Molly, who is currently studying dentistry, is proving that discipline and ambition can make it possible.

"I hope to inspire other young athletes to go after their dreams. Balancing studies and sport at a high level is tough, but it’s achievable. The rewards make it all worthwhile," she said.

Hughes Insurance has committed £20,000 over four years to the bursary programme as part of its Action for Impact initiative, helping young athletes across Northern Ireland ease the financial strain of training, travel, and competition.

Emma Haughian, Senior Marketing Manager at Hughes Insurance, added: "We’re proud to support athletes like Molly through this initiative, helping them overcome financial barriers and focus on their sport. It’s incredible to see their passion and drive, and we can’t wait to see what Molly achieves next."

With her sights firmly set on a major comeback, Molly Curry is proof that setbacks don’t define an athlete - comebacks do.