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UCD A.F.C
University College Dublin logo.svg
Full name University College Dublin Association Football Club
Nickname(s) The Students, College
Founded 1895; 130 years ago (1895) (as Catholic University
Medical School)
Ground UCD Bowl
Ground Capacity 3,000 (1,500 seated)
Manager William O'Connor
League League of Ireland First Division
2024 League of Ireland First Division, 2nd of 10

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.

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

Performance chart loire UCD
This chart shows where University College Dublin finished in the League of Ireland each year.

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 England Everton 0–0 0–1 0–1
2000 UEFA Intertoto Cup First Round Bulgaria Velbazhd Kyustendil 3–3 0–0 3–3 (away goals)
2015–16 UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round Luxembourg F91 Dudelange 1–0 1–2 2–2 (away goals)
Second Qualifying Round Slovakia Slovan Bratislava 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 Norway Molde 2–1 1–2 3–3 (penalties)
2024–25 UEFA Youth League First Round Iceland Stjarnan 3–0 2–3 5–3
Second Round Kosovo 2 Korriku 1–3 1–2 2–5

Notes

  • 1R: First round
  • 1Q: First qualifying round

Players

Current Team Squad

No. Position Player
3 Republic of Ireland DF Adam Wells
4 Republic of Ireland DF Eanna Clancy
5 Republic of Ireland DF Carl Lennox
6 Republic of Ireland MF Sean Brennan
7 Republic of Ireland MF Mikey McCullagh
8 Republic of Ireland MF Ronan Finn (Captain)
9 Republic of Ireland FW Mikey Ragett
10 Republic of Ireland MF Ciaran Behan
11 Republic of Ireland MF Brian McManus
12 Republic of Ireland FW Matthew Alonge
14 Republic of Ireland DF Harry Curtis
No. Position Player
15 Republic of Ireland DF Ethan Hall
16 Republic of Ireland GK Dara Kavanagh
17 Republic of Ireland FW Killian Cailloce
18 Republic of Ireland DF Niall Holohan
19 Republic of Ireland MF Colin Bolton
22 Republic of Ireland FW Sam Norval
23 Republic of Ireland MF Ryan McBrearty
24 Republic of Ireland MF Adam Verdon
26 Republic of Ireland MF Luke O'Regan
28 Republic of Ireland GK Noah Douglas
29 Republic of Ireland FW Jake Doyle

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.

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 Republic of Ireland Ciarán Kavanagh 1990–2002 383
2 Republic of Ireland Tony McDonnell 1993–2007 361
3 Republic of Ireland Alan Mahon 1997–2008 306
4 Republic of Ireland Alan McNally 1999–2009 275
5 Republic of Ireland Robbie Griffin 1990–1998, 2003 265
6 Republic of Ireland Mick O'Byrne 1993–2001 254
7 Republic of Ireland Éamonn McLoughlin 1994–2001 249
Republic of Ireland Darren O'Brien 1986–1997 249
9 Republic of Ireland Mick O'Donnell 1995–2005 240
10 Republic of Ireland Robert McAuley 1997–2005 237

Most Goals Scored for UCD AFC

(Players in bold are still playing for UCD)

# Name Years Played Goals
1 Republic of Ireland Mick O'Byrne 1993–2000 87
2 Republic of Ireland Darren O'Brien 1986–1997 70
3 Republic of Ireland Robbie Griffin 1990–1998, 2003 52
4 Republic of Ireland Robbie Martin 2000–2005 43
5 Republic of Ireland Colm Whelan 2020-2022 41
6 Republic of Ireland David McMillan 2008–2010, 2012–2013 40
6 Republic of Ireland Gary O'Neill 2015–2019 40
8 Republic of Ireland Jason Sherlock 1994–1998 39
8 Republic of Ireland Georgie Kelly 2016–2018 39
10 Republic of Ireland Yoyo Mahdy 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 Republic of Ireland Ciarán Martyn
2000–01 Republic of Ireland Clive Delaney
2001–02 Republic of Ireland Barry Ryan
2002–03 Republic of Ireland Barry Ryan
2003 Republic of Ireland Mick O'Donnell
2004 Republic of Ireland Seán Finn
2005 Republic of Ireland Darren Quigley
2006 Republic of Ireland Tony McDonnell
2007 Republic of Ireland Conan Byrne
2009 Republic of Ireland Evan McMillan
2010 Republic of Ireland Ciarán Kilduff
2011 Republic of Ireland Gerard Barron
2012 Republic of Ireland Michael Leahy
2013 Republic of Ireland David O'Connor
2014 Republic of Ireland Robbie Benson
2015 Republic of Ireland Ryan Swan
2016 Cameroon Maxi Kougoun
2017 Republic of Ireland Georgie Kelly

Managers

  • Republic of Ireland Ronnie Nolan (–1979)
  • Republic of Ireland Dr Tony O'Neill (1979–83)
  • Republic of Ireland Dermot Keely (1983 Player manager July–November)
  • Republic of Ireland Theo Dunne (1983–90)
  • Republic of Ireland Dr Tony O'Neill (1990–94) General Manager 1979–1999
  • Republic of Ireland Theo Dunne (1994–99)
  • Republic of Ireland Martin Moran (1999–2001)
  • Republic of Ireland Paul Doolin (2001–03)
  • Republic of Ireland Pete Mahon (Sept 15, 2003–Jan 12, 2009)
  • Republic of Ireland Martin Russell (13 Jan 2009 – Oct 2013)
  • Republic of Ireland Aaron Callaghan (November 2013-October 2014)
  • Republic of Ireland Collie O'Neill (2015–August 2019)
  • Poland Maciej Tarnogrodzki (August 2019–December 2019)
  • Republic of Ireland Andy Myler (2020-)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: University College Dublin Association Football Club para niños

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