sport around college 

The UCD Sports Awards Dinner held in O’Reilly Hall, on October 25th, honoured the contribution of UCD graduates to the success of both UCD and Irish sport. 

The President, Dr Cosgrove, presented the Individual Hall of Fame Award to Harry Boland, a Commerce graduate and founder of the UCD Basketball Club. Harry represented Ireland in the 1948 Olympic Games and also served as President of the Amateur Basketball Association. Harry’s contribution to the UCD Basketball Club has been a great source of support and inspiration to numerous students for the last 50 years. Harry is former chairman of Deloitte Haughey Boland and the National Concert Hall. 

The Team Hall of Fame Award was presented to the 1974 UCD Men’s Eight rowing crew who secured a famous victory in the Ladies Plate in Henley. The crew coached by Tom Sullivan included Barry O’Connor (Bow), Denis O’Shaughnessy, Tom McDonough, Jim Skelly, Des Harrold, Pat Brady, Jaye Renehan, Martin Feely (Stroke), and Sandy Symmons (Cox). Announcing the recipients of the Team Hall of Fame, Master of Ceremonies Jimmy Magee, noted that the crew’s victory in this prestigious event was the first Irish victory at Henley since 1903 and indeed the first victory in the Ladies Plate since 1875. 

Also honoured on the night was Finbar Costello, Chairman of the UCD Sports Development Trust for his lifetime of service to UCD sport. Although known to many through his contribution to the UCD Rugby Club, which has enjoyed primarily through his efforts, the establishment of the UCD Rugby Academy and the promotion of the first team to the AIB League Division 1. Finbar, through his Chairmanship of the Sports Development Trust has played a pivotal role in the development and progression of all UCD sport. 

Prof Patrick Meenan current President of the UCD Athletic Union Council, was presented with the inaugural ‘Dr Tony O’Neill Award for Services to Sport’ by the UCD Centre for Sports Studies for his on-going contribution to the sporting life of UCD. During his student days in the 1940s Prof Meenan served in variety of roles on the committees of a large number of college clubs, although it is the Rugby Club with which he has been most closely associated as a member of the Executive Committee for many years. 

However, it is as President of the Athletic Union that Prof Meenan has contributed most to UCD Sport guiding the evolution of the sporting facilities at Belfield and the expansion of sporting opportunities for all UCD students.

The Sports Awards Dinner has the dual objective acknowledging those who have brought honour to the University through sport as well as affording graduates and friends of the University an opportunity to renew sporting acquaintances. 

Above - Individual Hall of Fame Award recipient Harry Boland, a Commerce graduate and founder of the UCD Basketball Club, with the President, Dr Cosgrove. 

Below - The Team Hall of Fame Award recipients the 1974 UCD Men's Eight rowing crew who secured a famous victory in the Ladies Plate in Henley. 

Below - Barry O'Connor, member of the 1974 Henley crew, and partner with Merc Partners, sponsors of the Sports Awards, pictured with Brian Mullins director of Sport and MC Jimmy Magee. 

Below - Finbar Costello honoured for his lifetime service to UCD sport, with his wife Jo. 

Below - The President, Dr Cosgrove, with Prof Patrick Meenan, current President of the UCD Athletic Union Council, who was presented with the inaugural ‘Dr. Tony O'Neill Award for Services to Sport’ by the Centre for Sports Studies. 

UCD Ladies Football  

UCD 4-7; Carlow IT 0-3 UCD Ladies began the season with a well deserved win in Carlow on Tuesday 5th November. Played in wintry conditions, UCD got off to a good start with a point from wing forward Sheila Farrell. This was followed by a period where UCD had a lot of possession but failed to capitalise and kicked a number of wides. Carlow IT then went on the attack but all proved fruitless due to some good defending by the UCD girls. Corner forward Therese Casey then goaled for UCD putting them 1-1 to 0-0 in front after 15 minutes. 

Aoife O’Connnor made her presence felt with a well taken point seconds after replacing the injured Michelle Dunne. This was followed by points from midfielder and newcomer Blaithin Brennan, fresher Aideen Linehan and full forward Ciara O’ Loughlin leaving UCD 1-6 to 0-0 in front at half time. 

The second half saw UCD playing up the hill but this proved no difficulty to the UCD girls with Therese Casey adding a second goal to her tally early in the half leaving Carlow 2-6 in arrears. Solid defending and the safe hands of goal-keeper Louise Byrne ensured that any Carlow attack reaped nothing.Ciara O’ Loughlin put the game well out of Carlow’s reach when she found the net for UCD’s 3rd goal of the game. Carlow to their credit never gave up and replied with their first point of the game with 15 minutes  remaining. 

Ciara added to her tally with a point a few minutes later. Carlow added 2 points before the final whistle but Beatrice Sheridan wrapped up the game with a soccer style goal to give UCD a well-deserved 4-7 to 0-3 victory. This was a team effort with every player giving it 100% and some  great performances by the newcomers as well as the seasoned members of the team. May our winning ways continue for the year ahead. 

Team and scorers 
Louise Byrne, Dervla Byrne, Nuala O’ Shea, Brid Leahy, Joanne O’ Sullivan, Alison Hooban (captain), Sarah Doran, Blaithin Brennan (0- 1), Liz Doran, Sheila Farrell (0-1), Aideen Linehan (0-1), Michelle Dunne, Therese Casey (2-0), Ciara O’ Loughlin (1-3), Beatrice Sheridan (1-0)  Subs: Aoife O’ Connor (0-1) for Michelle Dunne (inj). Fiona O ‘Connor for Joanne O’ Sullivan. Rosemarie Carew for Dervla Byrne, Maire Gilmartin for Ciara O’ Loughlinn. Eimear Nic Dhonncha. Louise Carroll. 

On another note the club would like to congratulate all players who  enjoyed club and county success over the summer months. In particular congratulations to All-Ireland Junior winning captain Marie O’Connell (Galway) and panellist Neasa Ni Cheannabhain, All-Ireland senior medal winners Caroline Brennan and Nuala O Shea of Mayo. Commiserations to Edel Byrne of Monaghan and Nora Stapleton of Donegal who were defeated in the All-Ireland senior and junior finals respectively. 

Also congratulations to All-Star recipients Sile Nic Choitir (Dublin) who makes her return to college football this year and Edel Byrne of Monaghan. The club also congratulates Angela Casey (Laois), Marie O’ Connell (Galway) and Orla Colreavy (Dublin) who received replacement All-Star awards. 

Training continues Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please view GAA notice board opposite theatre L in the John H Newman Building for times and fixtures.