Graduation marks another win for UL’s history-making Collingwood captain

After leading his team to an historic victory earlier this year, Collingwood Cup captain Ewan O'Brien was focused on a different goal today - his graduation from University of Limerick.

The Clare man was celebrating on campus yet again as he was conferred with a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from UL's Kemmy Business School on Friday, joining over 3,600 students graduating from the University this week.

Ewan, from Parteen, cemented his position as a UL sporting legend back in February of this year, when he captained the University's soccer team to its first ever Collingwood Cup win.

A stunning 5-0 victory over Trinity College Dublin brought an end to the agonising 50-year wait to bring the Collingwood title back to Castletroy.

"There was just a feeling around the group, that we could do something special," says Ewan, part of the UL team who suffered heartbreak in the 2023 final at the hands of UCD.

The UL contingent was hungry to make history for its alma mater in 2024, and revenge against UCD in the semi-final propelled them forward, Ewan says.

"UL had never beaten UCD in the Collingwood Cup, and we beat them 2-0 in the semi-final. It was a feeling of near disbelief, that we had finally beaten them. But we knew we had to go again - there was no point in beating UCD and losing the final."

Reflecting on their stunning eventual win, Ewan says the final brought with it a mix of emotions.

"College games are always tight, but the way the game went, we were three or four nil up with 10 or 15 minutes to go. So, we were able to enjoy the last 10 or so minutes. A couple of us knew this would be the last few minutes we'd play with UL, and we were the fortunate ones to be able to bring home the Collingwood."

It was the perfect ending to a wonderful four years at UL for Ewan, who plays his club soccer with local outfit Regional United. With a passion for sport and having played GAA as well as soccer since the age of four, Ewan pinpoints UL's renowned facilities as the major factor when choosing where he would study.

"It was always going to be UL. I've grown up around UL; I played Kennedy Cup here years ago and saw the hundreds of people that come here. It's the best sporting campus in Ireland - that was a big draw to me," he says.

The academic side proved to be just as enjoyable for Ewan, who majored in Economics and Finance.

"I loved studying Business," he adds, "and there are such great lecturers in Kemmy Business School. I had a great time across the whole four years."

A highlight of his time on the Business Studies course was his co-op at the global sports betting, gaming and entertainment provider, Flutter Entertainment. The experience proved so positive that, when Ewan was asked to return to the company at the start of August, on a full-time basis, he immediately accepted.

"I'm back working there now … it was a no-brainer. It's a great place to work, and a place that seems to keep growing."

Looking to what is next, Ewan says he is focused on embracing where he is right now, working in a role he enjoys at a company he admires. However, it seems he hasn't closed the book on his time at UL just yet and is currently considering further study in the form of a part-time masters.

When quizzed about the standout moments from the past four years, it's no surprise that soccer dominates Ewan's answers. From coach Michael McCarthy offering him the captaincy on a cold, wet Monday evening at training to the euphoria that followed the final whistle in the Collingwood Cup final, it's the people along the way that have made those moments truly unforgettable.

"I must mention Mike (McCarthy) and [manager] Ian Sullivan - the lengths they would go to for anyone who plays soccer at UL, not just on the field but off the field as well. They're two absolute gentlemen," he says.

"The greatest memory has to be the initial feeling, after the whistle, winning the Collingwood, and the days that followed afterwards, because the final was the last time, that group of players would play together."