University College Dublin A.F.C. facts for kids
University College Dublin Association Football Club, usually called UCD, is the football team for University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland First Division. The club started in 1895. They joined the League of Ireland in 1979. Since 2008, they have played at the UCD Bowl. This stadium is also home to the college's rugby team. 'The Students' wear bright sky blue and navy uniforms. Their other teams play in the Leinster Senior League. William O'Connor is their current manager.
Contents
Club History
How UCD AFC Started
UCD AFC began in 1895 as the Catholic University Medical School Football Club. They started playing games regularly the next year. Their main team played against other universities. A second team joined outside competitions. The club helped start the Leinster Junior League in 1896. They reached the semi-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup in 1897.
The club became University College Dublin AFC in 1908. This happened when the new university took over the Medical School. UCD won the first Intervarsities competition, the Collingwood Cup, in 1914. They also won the Irish Intermediate Cup in 1915. They beat Portadown 2–1 in a replayed final.
When the Irish Free State was formed in 1921, a new football group, the Football Association of Ireland, was created. UCD played in the FAI Cup against Shamrock Rovers, losing 6–2. UCD was asked to join the League of Ireland in 1922. However, they had to say no. This was because their academic year started in October, and they couldn't form a team for the League of Ireland Shield in September. In 1945, they won the FAI Intermediate Cup. They beat Cobh Ramblers 4–2 in the final.
Joining the League and European Adventures
In 1970, UCD joined the League of Ireland B Division. From 1976, they went on many trips to play football. They were the first Western football team to play in China. They also toured places like India, Hong Kong, and the United States.
On July 22, 1979, UCD was invited to join the League of Ireland again. This time, they said yes. Their first game as a senior club was on August 26, when they lost 2–1 to Drogheda United. Theo Dunne became the first team coach. He led the team until he retired in 2001. Dr. Tony O'Neill was the General Manager when the club joined the League. He stayed in that role until he passed away in 1999.
Success in the 1980s
At first, the club found it hard in the league. They never finished higher than twelfth place. But in December 1980, they won the Leinster Senior Cup. They beat St Patrick's Athletic 2–1 in the final.
Big changes happened in 1983. The club, which used to be amateur, became semi-professional. This meant players who were not students could also play for the first team. This is still mostly true today. By the end of the 1983–84 season, UCD won the FAI Cup. They beat Shamrock Rovers 2–1 after a replay.
Winning the FAI Cup meant UCD got to play in a European competition for the first time. This was the European Cup Winners Cup. They played against Everton, a very strong team from England. Everton had famous players like Neville Southall and Kevin Sheedy. The home game was played in Tolka Park. About 9,000 people watched UCD draw 0–0. Two weeks later, Everton won 1–0. UCD almost scored a goal that would have let them win on away goals. Everton went on to win the whole competition that year. UCD's performance was amazing because Everton was voted the best club team in the world for 1985.
After this, UCD had to let go of many of their best players because of money problems. They were moved down to a lower league in 1985–86. But in 1987, UCD won the World Collegiate Championships in New Mexico. They were promoted back to the Premier Division in 1988–89.
The 1990s and Early 2000s
In the 1999–2000 season, UCD finished fourth in the league. This meant they qualified for the Intertoto Cup. They played against a Bulgarian team called PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil. UCD drew 3–3 in the first game at Belfield Park. They then drew 0–0 in Bulgaria. They were knocked out because of the away goals rule.
In 2001, Paul Doolin became the new manager. The team did well at first. But in 2003, they were close to being moved down a league. Pete Mahon took over as manager. UCD almost made an amazing comeback, losing only four games out of 16.
In 2004, UCD was promoted back to the Premier Division easily. They reached the League Cup final in 2005. They lost 2–1 to Derry City. The 2006 season was one of UCD's best in years. They finished 6th in the league and reached the FAI Cup quarterfinals. Many UCD players were noticed by bigger clubs.
Recent Years (2009–Present)
After Pete Mahon left, Martin Russell became manager in 2009. UCD won their second First Division title. They were promoted back to the top league of Irish football. In 2011, the club played in the Setanta Sports Cup, an all-Ireland competition. They lost 2–0 over two games.
In 2014, Aaron Callaghan became the new coach. UCD had a tough year and were moved down to the First Division.
In July 2015, UCD made history. They became the first team from the second tier of the League of Ireland to win a European match. They beat F91 Dudelange, the champions of Luxembourg, in the Europa League. UCD won 1–0 at home. In the away game, they drew 2–2, meaning they won on away goals. In the next round, they lost to Slovan Bratislava.
In 2017, the club's youth team played in the UEFA Youth League. They lost on penalties to Molde FK, a team that included Erling Haaland.
In September 2018, UCD won promotion to the Premier Division again. They also reached the semi-finals of the FAI Cup. However, the 2019 season was very difficult. Many players left, and the team lost 12 games in a row. They were moved back to the First Division for 2020.
After finishing third in 2021, UCD won play-off games against Treaty United and Bray Wanderers. They then beat Waterford FC 2–1 to get promoted back to the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division.
In the 2022 season, UCD fought hard to stay in the Premier Division. They won their first game of the season against Finn Harps. A strong finish to the season meant UCD finished 9th. They played Waterford FC again in a play-off game. A goal by Tommy Lonergan helped UCD win 1–0. This meant they stayed in the Premier Division. In 2023, UCD finished 10th and were moved down to the First Division.
Scholarship Program
UCD AFC is known for its scholarship program. This program allows players to play senior football while also getting a college degree. It started in 1979 when UCD joined the League of Ireland. The first player to get this award was Keith Dignam. Famous past scholars include Kevin Grogan, Joe Hanrahan, and Gary Dicker.
Famous Former Players
Many well-known players have played for UCD over the years. Todd Andrews, who later became a chairman of big companies, played for the club. His son, David Andrews, who became a Minister for Foreign Affairs, also played. Brian Lenihan, who later ran for President of Ireland, scored in a 1953 FAI Cup game.
Willie Browne played for UCD and later played for the Republic of Ireland national football team. Former Irish international Kevin Moran, who played for Manchester United, also played for UCD. Moran also won a Gaelic football medal with Dublin in 1976. Jason Sherlock did the same nineteen years later. Conor Sammon, Enda Stevens, and Andy Boyle also played for Ireland after starting at UCD.
Hugo MacNeill won the Collingwood Cup with UCD. He later played for the Ireland national rugby union team in rugby. In 1983, Leeds United legend Peter Lorimer played three games for UCD. Dave Norman played for Canada while at UCD. He played in the 1986 World Cup.
Gavin Whelan and Pat Jennings (son of the famous Northern Irish goalkeeper) played for UCD in the 2000s. In 2016, Dylan Watts signed for English champions Leicester City from UCD.
There is a popular story that Brazilian star Sócrates played for the club, but there is no proof of this.
Fan Culture
UCD has a small group of fans. One famous fan was Dermot Morgan, an actor from the TV show Father Ted. He sometimes visited Belfield to watch games. When asked why he went to UCD matches, Dermot reportedly said, "Because I hate crowds."
From 2001 to 2010, an unofficial club magazine called Student Till I Graduate published 91 issues. A book called One Night in Dudelange – Adventures in the UEFA Europa League tells the story of the club's 2015 Europa League journey.
The UCD Superleague is a league for teams mostly made up of UCD students and former students. Some players from this league have gone on to play for UCD and other League of Ireland teams.
European Record
Overview of European Matches
Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
European Cup Winners' Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
UEFA Intertoto Cup | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
UEFA Europa League | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
TOTAL – SENIOR | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
UEFA Youth League | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 11 |
European Matches Played
Senior Team
Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home Score | Away Score | Total Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984–85 | European Cup Winners' Cup | First Round | ![]() |
0–0 | 0–1 | 0–1 |
2000 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | First Round | ![]() |
3–3 | 0–0 | 3–3 (away goals) |
2015–16 | UEFA Europa League | First Qualifying Round | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 (away goals) |
Second Qualifying Round | ![]() |
1–5 | 0–1 | 1–6 |
Youth Team
Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home Score | Away Score | Total Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | UEFA Youth League | First Round | ![]() |
2–1 | 1–2 | 3–3 (penalties) |
2024–25 | UEFA Youth League | First Round | ![]() |
3–0 | 2–3 | 5–3 |
Second Round | ![]() |
1–3 | 1–2 | 2–5 |
Notes
- 1R: First round
- 1Q: First qualifying round
Players
Current Team Squad
|
|
Well-Known Former Players
This list does not include current players. Some players played in more than one decade, but they are listed by when they first played for UCD.
1920s 1930s 1950s 1960s 1970s |
1980s 1990s
|
2000s
|
2010s
2020s |
Current Coaching Staff
Role | Staff Member |
---|---|
Manager | Andrew Myler |
Assistant Manager | William O'Connor |
U-19 Head Coach | JJ Glynn |
U-17 Head Coach | Rob Sweeney |
Head of Youth Development | Albert Sugg |
Club Achievements
- First Team
- FAI Cup: 1
- 1983–84
- FAI Super Cup: 1
- 2000–01
- League of Ireland First Division: 3
- 1994–95, 2009, 2018
- League of Ireland First Division Shield: 2
- 1991–92, 1994–95
- Leinster Senior Cup: 3
- 1980–81, 1994–95, 1995–96
- FAI Intermediate Cup: 1
- 1944–45
- Irish Intermediate Cup: 1
- 1914–15
- Reserve Team
- League of Ireland B Division: 1
- 1997–98
- A Championship: 2
- 2008, 2010
- Youth Team
- Dr Tony O'Neill Cup: 5
- 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2016
- Enda McGuill Cup: 1
- 2014–15
- Intervarsity (University Competitions)
- Collingwood Cup: 47
- 1914,1921, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2022 [Collingwood Cup Brochure]
- Harding Cup: 17
- 1971, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016
- Farquhar Cup: 1
- 2012
Club Records
Most Games Played for UCD AFC
(Players in bold are still playing for UCD)
# | Name | Years Played | Games Played |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
1990–2002 | 383 |
2 | ![]() |
1993–2007 | 361 |
3 | ![]() |
1997–2008 | 306 |
4 | ![]() |
1999–2009 | 275 |
5 | ![]() |
1990–1998, 2003 | 265 |
6 | ![]() |
1993–2001 | 254 |
7 | ![]() |
1994–2001 | 249 |
![]() |
1986–1997 | 249 | |
9 | ![]() |
1995–2005 | 240 |
10 | ![]() |
1997–2005 | 237 |
Most Goals Scored for UCD AFC
(Players in bold are still playing for UCD)
# | Name | Years Played | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
1993–2000 | 87 |
2 | ![]() |
1986–1997 | 70 |
3 | ![]() |
1990–1998, 2003 | 52 |
4 | ![]() |
2000–2005 | 43 |
5 | ![]() |
2020-2022 | 41 |
6 | ![]() |
2008–2010, 2012–2013 | 40 |
6 | ![]() |
2015–2019 | 40 |
8 | ![]() |
1994–1998 | 39 |
8 | ![]() |
2016–2018 | 39 |
10 | ![]() |
2017–2020 | 36 |
Biggest Wins
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Competition | Score | Goal Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978-02-04 | Home Farm B | H | LoI B Division | 9-1 | Martin Moran (3), A Jennings (2), B Devlin (2), P McGovern, B O'Sullivan |
1931-10-31 | Trinity College | A | LSL Division 1 | 9-1 | O'Dea (7), Donaghy (2) |
2020-09-04 | Wexford FC | H | LoI First Division | 8-0 | Yoyo Mahdy (3), Colm Whelan (3), Isaac Akinsete, Liam Kerrigan |
2018-05-07 | Wexford FC | A | LoI First Division | 8-0 | Jason McClelland (3), Yoyo Mahdy (2), Gary O'Neill (2), Liam Scales |
1979-04-28 | Tullamore Town | A | LoI B Division | 8-0 | Not reported |
2016-09-30 | Waterford United | A | LoI First Division | 8-1 | Jason Byrne (2), Daire O'Connor (2), Tomás Boyle, Georgie Kelly, Jason McClelland, Gary O'Neill |
1958-12-20 | Botanic | H | LSL Division 1 | 8-1 | David Andrews (4), John Duffy (2), Paul Moy, Éamon Stubbings |
2000-09-26 | Bluebell United | H | League Cup Group | 7-0 | Ken Kilmurray (3), Eóin Bennis, Kevin Grogan, Mick O'Donnell, David Quinn |
1971-12-18 | Athlone Town B | H | LoI B Division | 7-0 | Mick Foley (2), E Semple (2), Burke, Newman, Cathal Travers |
1943-01-15 | Bray Unknowns | H | LSL Division 1 | 7-0 | Not reported |
1931-01-24 | Drumcondra B | H | LSL Division 1 | 7-0 | O'Dea (4), Donaghy (2), Liam Honohan |
1930-02-01 | Brideville B | H | LSL Division 1 | 7-0 | Finnegan (3), Donaghy (3), O'Brien |
1929-03-02 | Strandville | H | LSL Division 1 | 7-0 | Hollweck (3), Donaghy (2), Cavanagh, Dempsey |
Biggest Losses
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Competition | Score | Goal Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-08-16 | Bohemians | A | LoI Premier Division | 1-10 | Jason McClelland |
1920-11-14 | Shelbourne | H | LSL Division 1 | 1-10 | Jim O'Flaherty |
1942-02-14 | Shamrock Rovers B | A | LSL Division 1 | 0-9 | |
1947-08-30 | Jacobs | A | Leinster Senior Cup Rd 1 | 2-10 | O'Connor, M... |
1937-03-13 | Fearons Athletic | H | LSL Division 1 | 1-9 | M Doherty |
1957-02-02 | Shelbourne B | A | Metropolitan Cup Rd 2 | 2-9 | Hall, O'Brien |
1962-09-01 | Shelbourne B | A | LSL Division 1 | 1-8 | C Deignan |
1951-01-20 | Jacobs | A | LSL Division 1 | 1-8 | Lennon |
1947-04-12 | Dundalk B | A | Metropolitan Cup Rd 2 | 1-8 | W Purcell |
1933-09-30 | Shelbourne B | A | LSL Division 1 | 1-8 | Bennett |
Highest Scoring Games (Combined Score)
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Competition | Score | Goal Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954-09-18 | Aer Lingus | A | LSL Division 1 | 5-7 | Donnelly (2), John Duffy, Frank Obiakpani, Quinn |
1947-08-30 | Jacobs | A | Leinster Senior Cup Rd 2 | 2-10 | O'Connor, M... |
1927-09-10 | Vickers | H | LSL Division 1 | 9-3 | P Byrne (4), P Kennedy (2), J Dempsey, Peppard, J McCaffrey |
1927-02-12 | Corinthians | H | LSL Division 1 | 6-6 | P Byrne (2), Geary (2), J Dempsey, O'Reilly |
2019-08-16 | Bohemians | A | LoI Premier Division | 1-10 | Jason McClelland |
1957-02-02 | Shelbourne B | A | Metropolitan Cup Rd 2 | 2-9 | Hall, O'Brien |
1952-09-06 | Longford Town | H | Leinster Senior Cup Rd 2 | 5-6 (aet) | P Doris (2), V Gilbride, Brian Lenihan, Frank Obiakpani |
1951-05-06 | Longford Town | A | LSL Division 1 | 3-8 | P Doris, McGovern, Frank Obiakpani |
1951-02-10 | Shelbourne B | A | Metropolitan Cup Rd 1 | 4-7 | Doran, Cassidy, McGovern (2) |
1948-09-25 | Jacobs | A | LSL Division 1 | 3-8 | Walsh (2), Golastegi |
1920-11-13 | Shelbourns | H | LSL Division 1 | 1-10 | Jim O'Flaherty |
UCD AFC Fans' Player of the Year
Season | Winner |
---|---|
1999–00 | ![]() |
2000–01 | ![]() |
2001–02 | ![]() |
2002–03 | ![]() |
2003 | ![]() |
2004 | ![]() |
2005 | ![]() |
2006 | ![]() |
2007 | ![]() |
2009 | ![]() |
2010 | ![]() |
2011 | ![]() |
2012 | ![]() |
2013 | ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
2015 | ![]() |
2016 | ![]() |
2017 | ![]() |
Managers
Ronnie Nolan (–1979)
Dr Tony O'Neill (1979–83)
Dermot Keely (1983 Player manager July–November)
Theo Dunne (1983–90)
Dr Tony O'Neill (1990–94) General Manager 1979–1999
Theo Dunne (1994–99)
Martin Moran (1999–2001)
Paul Doolin (2001–03)
Pete Mahon (Sept 15, 2003–Jan 12, 2009)
Martin Russell (13 Jan 2009 – Oct 2013)
Aaron Callaghan (November 2013-October 2014)
Collie O'Neill (2015–August 2019)
Maciej Tarnogrodzki (August 2019–December 2019)
Andy Myler (2020-)
See also
In Spanish: University College Dublin Association Football Club para niños