At the UCD Athletic Union Council Sport Awards ceremony in the UCD Student Centre, over 400 students from 25 different sports clubs were honoured for their sporting achievements on behalf of the University over the last twelve months.
A number of special awards were presented on the night. The Ladies Hockey first team was named the “Elite Team of the Year” following their victory in the Irish Senior Cup, Irish Hockey League, the Leinster League Division A and the Chilean Cup. The Ladies Hockey Club was also named the “Elite Club of the Year” in recognition of the outstanding competitive success at all levels in the club. Indeed, in addition to the First teams dominance of domestic hockey, the Seconds won the Irish Junior Cup and the Thirds won Division 6 and secured promotion to Division 5 of the Leinster League next season. Ten players were also capped for Ireland at senior level.
International swimmer Shauna O’Brien was named as the “Dr. Tony O’Neill Sportsperson of the Year”, in recognition of her 50 metre butterfly short course and 100 metre butterfly long course Irish records. Shauna also broke Michelle Smiths 18 year old 100 metre butterfly short course record in December 2013.
In terms of other award winners on the night, Darren Doherty from the Karate Club was named the “Gerry Horkan Club https://dev.mediahelm.ie/SSI/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/strategic-plan.jpgistrator of the Year”. The Women’s Soccer team was named the “Varsity Team of the Year” and the Sailing Club was named the “Varsity Club of the Year”.
Commenting on the sporting achievements the UCD President, Prof. Andrew Deeks, said that “Sport is an integral part student life at UCD and the fact that we have so many students from so many clubs are not only triumphant at Intervarsity level, but many others taking on the cream of competition nationally and internationally, underlines the quality of our sportsmen and women”.

