Here’s the UCD sports news that you might have missed this month!
Olatunde wins back-to-back national titles:
UCD alumni Israel Olatunde was at his lightning-best yet again, this time it was while retaining his 60m National Senior indoor title. With a time of 6.71, it doesn’t quite match his record-breaking performance in last year’s final, in which he secured a national best of 6.57. UCD athlete Bori Akinola also demonstrated an impressive showing as he had to settle for second behind Olatunde.
UCD past and present continue to feature in Celtic Challenge matches:
A trend which we all hope to see continue within Irish rugby, is the inclusion of UCD players on the Wolfhounds’ and Clovers’ squads. Our Belfield women did not fall short of expectations as five (both current and former) players made matchday twenty-threes for the upcoming Celtic Challenge. Featured on the Wolfhounds are Ellen Boylan, Christy Haney, Eadaoin Murtagh. Facing them on the Clovers are Niamh O’Dowd and Clare Gorman.
UCD Swimming Drain Varsities of Medals:
The Collidge’s swimmers impressed at the 2024 Varsities as they took home thirteen medals in just twenty-seven races. Jena MacDougald, Alessandro Ozella, and Naomi Trait secured UCD’s only gold medals of the competition, MacDougald snatching two for the mantelpiece. Silvers and bronzes were also shared amongst Adam Ben-Jaafar, Amy Fitzpatrick, Penny Semple, Laura Gleeson, Lindsay Barr, and Ben David.
UCD advances into Giles Cup semi-finals
The girls in blue and navy shone in Limerick as they ran out convincing winners over MTU Kerry, with a scoreline of 6-13 to 2-09. UCD are now tasked with a semi-final clash with Maynooth University after topping their group.
Dara Smith-Naughton – Sports Editor
