DCU Win 2025 Sports College of the Year at Student Sport Ireland Awards
Dublin City University has been named the Student Sport Ireland's Sports College of the Yea rfor 2024 - 2025.
The prestigious award follows an outstanding year for DCU Sport, with strong performances across a wide range of competitions, and reflects the University's ongoing commitment to excellent across both established and emerging sports.
The award represents a proud achievement for the entire university community and highlights the consistent dedication and hard work of its students, coaches, and staff.
The Sports College of the Year award, established in 2019 by Student Sport Ireland, is given to the college that earns the most points from participation and success in SSI-organised and national governing body competitions. This system rewards both strong performance and broad involvement in student sport. This marks the fourth time DCU has won the award, acknowledging the university’s ongoing commitment to excellence and engagement across multiple sports.
Among the highlights of a standout year were victories in both the Sigerson and O’Connor Cups, as DCU’s Men’s and Ladies Football teams delivered stellar performances to claim their respective trophies. The university also made history on the rugby pitch, where three titles were won in a single day at Morton Stadium. The haul included the Brendan Johnston Cup, the Women’s Tier 1 Cup, and the Men’s Tier 3 Cup, an extraordinary feat showcasing the depth and quality of rugby at the university.
DCU also saw triumph in motorsport, with the Karting team winning the championship for the second year in a row, and standout student Shane Murphy earning the title of Individual Karting Champion.
Speaking about the award, Director of Sport in DCU, James Galvin, said they plan to continue building on this year's success.
"It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of our entire DCU community. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of our students, coaches, and staff. We are incredibly proud of the spirit and achievements of our sports programmes, and we're committed to fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for all students to thrive both on and off the field.
As we look forward, we're excited to build upon this success and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students through sports and the broader university experience at DCU," said Mr Galvin.
Two individuals and one team from DCU were also shortlisted for honours at the Student Sport Ireland Awards, highlighting the depth of talent and leadership within the university.
Emma Duggan
Emma Duggan from DCU Ladies football, was shortlisted for the Sportsperson of the Year Award, a recognition of her outstanding contributions and consistent excellence in performance.
Her nomination is a testament to her dedication and influence both on and off the field.
Sigerson Cup Team
The DCU Sigerson Cup Team was shortlisted for Team of the Year, reflecting their remarkable season that brought them championship success. Their place among the finalists is richly deserved.
Barry Clavin
Also shortlisted was Barry Clavin for the Leadership Award, acknowledging his instrumental role within the DCU Athletics club, promoting and supporting student sport at DCU. His leadership has had a lasting impact on the athletics club.
These three nominations - coupled with DCU winning overall award - speak volumes about the calibre of athletes, teams, and leaders at DCU.
These achievements continue to raise the standard of university sport in Ireland and contribute to a legacy of excellence and pride within the DCU community.
