Over 240 students from 24 different sports clubs were honoured for their sporting achievements on behalf of the University over the last twelve months.
19 May 2023
At the UCD Athletic Union Council Sport Awards ceremony on May 18 in the UCD Student Centre, over 240 students from 24 different sports clubs were honoured for their outstanding achievements on behalf of the University over the last twelve months. The UCD AUC Sports Awards, an annual event that recognises excellence in student sport, was held at the Astra Hall in the UCD Student Centre. The ceremony was attended by UCD President Professor Orla Feely, who praised the students for their achievements and recognised sports as an integral part of student life. The UCD Athletic Union Council Sport Awards was a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of UCD's student athletes.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Israel Olatunde, Ireland’s fastest man, was named as the ‘Dr. Tony O’Neill Sportsperson of the Year’. At the Senior European Championships last summer Israel achieved a new national record during the 100m final. He is the first Irish runner to compete in a European 100m final, his time of 10.17 in Munich was just four hundredths of a second away from claiming a bronze medal.
Israel Olatunde with his ‘Dr. Tony O’Neill Sportsperson of the Year’ award.
The Ladies and Men's Boat Clubs were both named the ‘Elite Club of the Year’ in recognition of both Clubs achieving overall joint winners at the National Rowing Championships. The Men’s teams won all four 8’s races, while the Ladies team defended their Intermediate 8 title.
Club captains Shauna Fitzsimons of the Men’s Boat Club and Ellie Scott of the Ladies Boat Club on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The Men's Boat Club squad was named 'Elite Team of the Year'. The Senior 8+ team won all four Men's 8s titles at the National Championships. This is the first time in history any club has ever achieved this, and the most successful national championship the club has had in its 106-year history.
Men's Boat Club captain Shauna Fitzsimons on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The Sailing team was named the ‘Varsity Team of the Year’. The team became the first Irish team to win the British Intervarsities Team Racing Championship (BUSA Finals) in over fifty years.
Sailing team captain Jack Fahy on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The Trampoline Club was named the ‘Varsity Club of the Year’. The Club have had the highest levels of fresher retention ever recorded for the club with over 70% of their active members this year being freshers to the club.
Trampoline Club captain Christopher Murphy on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The ‘David O’Connor Memorial Medal’ was presented to Taekwon-Do Club captain Ciara Beirne. Ciara has been chosen to compete with Team Ireland in the Taekwon-Do World Opens in July later this year.
Ciara Beirne on stage receiving the award from Prof. Michael Doherty, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
The ‘Dr. Padraic Conway Memorial Medal’ was presented to Rory Monks of the GAA Club. Rory managed the intermediate Camogie team to win the Fr. Meaghair Cup (the intermediate championship title).
Rory Monks on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The ‘Gerry Horkan Club Administrator of the Year’ was presented to Louis Hemeryck of the Tennis Club. Louis developed a new initiative for distributing training sessions fairly across a large membership base, resulting in a near 60% annual growth rate since 2019/20.
Louis Hemerych with his ‘Gerry Horkan Club Administrator of the Year' award.
Men’s Boat Club coach Coman O’Connell was the recipient of the ‘Graduate of the Year’. Comans hard work and dedication have been instrumental in the success the Men's Boat Club have had this year.
Coman O'Connell on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The Karate Club received the ‘Club Inclusion Award’. The Club ran an Introduction Programme with the Japanese Society and the International Students Society for those interested in taking up the sport on a regular basis, whilst also providing regular training and competitive opportunities for over 100 students each week.
Karate Club captain Alice Treacy on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.
The Equestrian Club won the ‘Event of the Year Award’ for their hosting of the Equestrian Intervarsities. The Club established a framework that will now be the basis of all future events of this kind and will ensure the longevity of clubs and competitions throughout the country.
Equestrian Club captain Hazel Hourigan on stage receiving the award from UCD President Prof. Orla Feely.