DCU O'Connor Cup Alumni Reunion

By Emma Meyler

A number of legends of Ladies Football made their return to DCU to reunite ahead of the college’s hosting of the Higher Education Championship Finals Week 2022. The intervarsity event sees hundreds of students meet in the host venue to play the finals of their college based Ladies Football Championship. The week builds up to the final day, where on the Saturday, the final two Division One teams play to take home the prestigious O’Connor Cup.

DCU has won the most O’Connor Cup titles in its history and all four winning teams were invited back to celebrate their success ahead of the Finals weekend. The alumni gathered for a meal in The 1838 Restaurant. Head of Gaelic Games, Paul O’Brien, welcomed the guest and thanked them for their contribution to not only DCU Dóchas Éireann GAA Club, but for the impact they’ve had on young girls and the wider community of DCU. Soon after, RTÉ’s Barry Lenihan invited a panel of guests to gather to discuss their time at DCU. Joining Barry was 2009 Joint Captain’s Fiona McHale and Bronagh Sheridan, 2010 Captain Shannon Quinn, 2011 Captain Donna English and 2018 Captain Aishling Moloney. The group shared fond memories of their time at DCU. The 2019 Intermediate Player of the Year, Aishling Moloney discussed the atmosphere in the O'Connor Cup team created under manager Peter Clarke. Responsible for overseeing all four title wins and still standing over the current team, Clarke’s “team morale” is fondly remembered by all those who attended the evening. There was a general consensus that the friendships created were the most valuable part of the experience within the club.

Lenihan introduced the motion passed at the 2020 GAA Congress which would encourage the integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie. The panellists were invited to give their input on the motion and it’s potential, all of which saw it as a massive step forward for the game. A testament to those involved in the operation of the DCU Dóchas Éireann GAA Club, Bronagh Sheridan noted how during her time at DCU, the issues faced at club and intercounty level as a woman in sport were non existent; “we had the same facilities, same gym, same access”. The panellist commended the work of those in the club who laid the foundations for their success. 

President Prof. Daire Keogh concluded the evening by congratulating the teams on their success and those involved in the evening. He noted the value of the relationships formed during their time spent with the team.

DCU will host the Ladies Higher Education Championship Finals on March 8th at the St. Pat’s Campus and on March 11th and 12th in the St. Clare Sports Grounds.