UCD AFC win 10th CUFL Premier Division Championship

8 December 2025

(opens in a new window)UCD AFC have won the Colleges and Universities Football League (CUFL) Premier Division title.

Following a decisive 4–0 victory over ATU Sligo at Athlone Town Stadium, the Students brought the CUFL Premier championship back to Belfield for a tenth time.

Hugh Smith opened the scoring just before half-time with a well-placed header before UCD doubled their lead early in the second half through Killian Cailloce following a slick move down the right.

Player of the Match Mikey McCullagh added a late third, and substitute Stephen Mohan completed the scoring to wrap up a commanding performance.

Captain Ronan Finn lifted the trophy as UCD celebrated its well-earned tenth Premier Division title.

The championship win caps off what has been a strong campaign for the squad as it blends emerging student talent with seasoned leadership.

The CUFL, governed by the Irish Universities Football Union, is the national competition for third-level institutions, featuring men’s and women’s divisions as well as Fresher leagues and associated tournaments such as the Collingwood and Harding Cups.

This year’s finals were played over three days in Athlone Town Stadium, with all games streamed live streamed on the (opens in a new window)CUFL YouTube channel.

• UCD Starting XI

D Kavanagh; L O’Regan (C Bolton 68), E Clancy, N Holohan, A Wells; R Finn, T Morley; M McCullagh, L Dignam, K Cailloce (M Alonge 76) (S Mohan 82); H Smith (M Raggett 75).

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie