Search
Coventry University Ladies Gaelic Football team win British University Championship for second year running
Coventry University Ladies Gaelic Football lifting the British University Championship trophy
University news / Student news
Monday 14 April 2025
Press contact
Lightning struck twice as Coventry University’s Ladies Gaelic Football team were again crowned British University champions.
The team followed up last year’s first-ever championship victory with another unbeaten performance at Páirc na hÉireann, the home of Warwickshire GAA – and the final saw them once again going toe-to-toe with the University of Liverpool.
Despite being behind at the break Coventry University fought back to lift the trophy winning 3-12 to 2-11 – a feat that captain Karen McLoughlin could not be prouder of.
On the Saturday we had three group games and a semi-final; they were short, fast-paced games and we tried to get everyone some game time.
The final was a really tough battle and we were down by a point at half-time so there was some motivational speaking going on. Everyone chipped in and really stepped up that day.
Karen McLoughlin, captain of Coventry University's Ladies Gaelic Football team
University teams change each year with people graduating although we did recognise some of their players. However, we went in with the mindset of new year, new team so didn’t get too focused on them.
Rachel Moran, part of the Championship winning team
The team includes students on Coventry University’s Sports Scholarship scheme, including skipper Karen, while a number of the players already had a connection from before their time in Coventry having studied together at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
Students on specified healthcare courses can study for two years at ATU and then a further two years at Coventry University – which is what many of the Gaelic football team squad did including Karen, Rachel and fellow physiotherapy student Sadie Hyland.
Not being in Ireland anymore I was thinking how am I going to meet people with similar interests, so the team is great as everyone is Irish and in the same situation away from home. It’s a nice environment to do something new and also breaks up the week with training.
Sadie Hyland
It was amazing to see our Ladies Gaelic Football team win a second successive British Universities Championship. It is a team full of talented individuals but their organisation, dedication and unity as a team is clear to see on and off the pitch.
Their success is also a great testament to a fantastic coaching team which includes Coventry University alumni and members of local Gaelic Sports Club. It was amazing to see them win last year but to back it up again this year was an incredible achievement for which we are very proud.
Tom Shakespeare, Coventry University’s sports scholarship manager
Find out more about Coventry University’s sports scholarships.
