PADDY O’Driscoll has signed off on his college football career in style, helping the University of Limerick claim their first-ever Sigerson Cup title.

In his fourth and final year of Business Studies at UL, the Schull man played his part as the Limerick college defeated UCC 0-17 to 1-11 at Croke Park.

‘It was surreal and something you always dream of as soon as you start playing college football. To be part of the UL team to win their first-ever title is unbelievable,’ O’Driscoll told The Southern Star.

‘That was my first time playing in Croke Park. It’s a great experience. It was an absolute honour to play there. Some would argue about the nearly empty stadium but it was a testament to those who play college football.’

In the final at GAA HQ, the Gabriel Rangers clubman played the full 60 minutes at wing-back. It’s a day he’ll never forget.

Celebrations followed the final whistle, with the party moving next door to the Croke Park Hotel before the team continued the festivities around Dublin the following day.

‘That was great fun. Having all our friends and family there was what dreams are made of,’ O’Driscoll said.

‘My parents were there and one of my cousins came home from Edinburgh; she is doing a masters over there. A lot of my friends from UL came up too. It was a lovely occasion. Winning it made it all the better.’

Paddy O'Driscoll joined by his friends and family after UL's Sigerson Cup win.

What made the year even more memorable was UL winning all 11 of their games across league and championship to complete the double – a mark of their dominance.

‘Doing the double was a nice way to bow out. Playing college football is fantastic. I think we had eight or nine counties represented. The coaches just let us go out and play our football. There wasn’t much tactics involved but it all worked out thankfully. Eleven wins from 11 games is something to be proud of. That is a credit to the lads involved,’ O’Driscoll said.

The support he received from the Ballydehob and Schull areas was also hugely appreciated. Two other Cork players were part of the winning squad – David Buckley of Newcestown and Tommy Walsh of Kanturk – which added to the occasion.

‘All the Gabriels lads were supporting me through the WhatsApp group. Some of them were even up there,’ O’Driscoll said.

‘It was brilliant to have Cork fellas alongside you doing it. Luke McCarthy from Newmarket was also a selector. It was great to have your county mates involved.’

There were plenty of standout memories during the campaign. Marking his brother Keith against MTU Cork was one; his courageous block on UCC’s Tom Cunningham in the final was another. One moment, however, rose above the rest.

‘It would probably have been Cathal Brosnan’s goal in normal time of the Queen’s match (the semi-final UL won 3-23 to 2-21). We were five points down and the clock was red. We somehow pulled it back with Conal Dawson’s two-pointer and Cathal’s goal. We went on to win extra time then. That was my most memorable moment. Marking my brother was a cool experience for the family too,’ the West Cork man added.

UL manager David Power’s belief in his players was another key factor, O’Driscoll noted, with the Tipperary native a driving force behind the group.

‘He just lets us go out and play. It’s more or less a player-led team. There is no better man than David you’d rather do it for,’ O’Driscoll acknowledged.

Having played freshers football in first year, O’Driscoll spent three seasons with the Sigerson panel and looks back fondly on his time in college.

‘It’s been a wonderful experience. Declan Brouder gave me the chance in second year. We fell short in the quarter-final and semi-final in the last couple of years. We didn’t get the Sigerson to show for our efforts. Now we have one, it can be something that future UL students can look up to down the line,’ he said.

‘I would definitely recommend playing Sigerson football. You make so many friends out of it. College football is open football and, with that, very enjoyable.’