Ashe Tambke talks us through the multitude of sport clubs in UCD, and what they have to offer.
University College Dublin has over 45 different sports clubs with options for athletes of all skill levels, genders, and backgrounds, ranging from Sailing to first division Rugby, Fencing, and American Football.
The University has a variety of Gyms available to students, one located in the Sports and Fitness centre and one in the UCD Village. The Sports and Fitness centre has a 50m swimming pool, with an attached sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi, which costs just €89 to access for the entire academic year. Gym membership is free and simply requires registration. UCD also provides access to multiple trainers for group and individual sessions.
The Sports and Fitness centre contains indoor basketball and badminton courts, a rock climbing wall, and multiple studio rooms. Outside, UCD has tennis courts, soccer and rugby pitches, and an athletics track. Some facilities may require to be booked online.
The University Observer interviewed six clubs on campus to give students an insight into some of the options available to them.
American Football
American Football is slowly growing in popularity within Europe, with the NFL playing multiple games in 2024 in Spain, Germany, and the UK. In August, Dublin held the Aer Lingus College Football Classic where the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets upset the Florida State University Seminoles 24-21. The UCD American Football Team competes in the Premier division of American Football Ireland and has been to the Shamrock Bowl three times in a row, winning it in 2022 and 2024. Anyone of any skill level is welcome to join the team and help UCD go for a fourth straight Shamrock Bowl appearance and third victory. UCD American football plays both tackle and flag football. All equipment is provided for both.
Paddy Sweeney, President of UCD American Football said, “We go to Harcourt bar every Sunday to watch the NFL, host a Superbowl party, and a tailgate for the Aer Lingus College football classic… The big thing is for people to come down and try it. People will be surprised. There is something for everyone here. Anyone of all genders and skill levels. See how much they enjoy it.”
UCD Cricket
The second most popular sport in the world, Cricket, has a strong representation at UCD. UCD Cricket participates in the Irish Universities Cricket Association and welcomes both experienced and new cricket players to the team.
Cillian McDonnell of UCD Cricket said, “Our club is a welcoming space for both seasoned players and beginners. We focus not only on improving skills and competing at various levels but also on building camaraderie and enjoying the spirit of the game. Throughout the year, we have regular practice sessions, friendly matches, and social events to ensure everyone feels part of the cricketing family.”
Fencing
UCD Fencing Club provides students with the opportunity to try all three styles of fencing for the first time, or to continue their fencing career if they are already experienced. UCD Fencing practices and carries the equipment for Épée, Sabre, and Foil fencing. The club travels to multiple national and international fencing competitions every year and plans to host three of their own on campus. This includes intervarsity fencing competitions between other Irish universities and their fencing clubs.
Kirsten Dowd, Captain of UCD Fencing, commented on her own fencing journey, “I’d say sometimes with fencing, if [students] are worried that they need a background, or some skills, not to be worried. I only picked it up two years ago. We have really good beginner programmes, and joining without experience is the norm.”
Soccer
Pelé called it the “Beautiful Game”. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world with billions of people playing and viewing the sport every year. UCD possesses both men’s and women’s teams, and students are free to either join an amateur squad, or witness UCD FC battle it out in the League of Ireland. The UCD Superleague, a more laid back approach to football, is hugely popular in the university with legendary stories of players showing up hungover, in jeans, or with a drink from the night before still in their hand.
Esports
UCD Games Society offers multiple Esports teams for a variety of games such as League of Legends, Valorant, and Rocket League. These teams participate in the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series and are welcome to anyone of all skill levels. UCD Games Society currently does not provide the computers necessary to play these games, so students interested will need their own computer. They are also required to register with the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series, which is free. UCD has sent multiple students to international eSport competitions such as the Red Bull Campus Clutch. To register, join the UCD Game Society Discord or the UCD Leviathans Discord or reach out to the head of UCD Esports on Discord at jak_cs.
Jack Byrne, Esports officer for the Games Society, said, “Esports is quite similar to traditional sports in the teamwork and competition aspects. It can get pretty intense. It's like any other sport but in a video game. A good way to make friends, and be open to anyone. We hold events such as sports watch parties and coaching that is available to anybody.”
Rugby
Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, with the Irish national team being consistently in the upper echelon of international rugby. The UCD Rugby Club is over 100 years old, being founded in 1910, and offers tag and contact opportunities for men and women of all skill levels. They feature a men’s team in the All-Ireland League.
Evelyn Donnelly, Social Secretary for UCD Women’s Rugby shared some advice for anyone considering joining the club, “Go for it and don’t be scared. I never played rugby before coming to UCD, and I just took the leap and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. If you think you’ll enjoy it, you 100% will.”
The Sports Expo will be held in Hall B of the UCD Sports Centre from September 16-19. Students can see the range of clubs on offer, ask questions to club members in person, and register for their favourites. Information on club sports, and how to register, can be found at https://www.ucd.ie/sport/.