Trinity’s athletes and alumni have recently shone across a diverse range of sports, achieving remarkable success and recognition on both national and international stages. From volleyball national team selections and triumphs on the golf course to world-class rugby, these standout performances highlight the depth of sporting talent nurtured at Trinity, with players making waves at European tournaments, historic golf events and elite rugby debuts.
Trinity Rugby alumni Dan Sheehan and Joe McCarthy score big for British and Irish Lions in first match
DUFC alumni Dan Sheehan and Joe McCarthy made their British and Irish Lions debut against Western Force in Perth, Australia on Saturday 28 May. Dan Sheehan captained Andy Farrell’s squad in the Lion’s first fixture in Australia with Joe McCarthy winning Man of the Match and both scoring spectacular tries to a resounding 54 - 7 victory! Dan's try was a record setting one: with only 95 seconds on the clock for his try, it was the fastest every try scored by a British and Irish Lion on their debut. "It’s a really special day for me, and a lot of the lads making their first appearance in this jersey," the Leinster and Ireland hooker said.
Another DUFC and Trinity alumni was also part of the match: Johnny Iliff (shown right with Joe McCarthy) captained Trinity Rugby for the 2009/2010 season and studied Medicine in Trinity 2006-2011 before eventually making his way to Perth where he works for Western Force as a doctor and was in attendance for the British and Irish Lions game on 28 June.
Dan Sheehan was one of five Leinster players to start alongside Trinity Global Business graduate and former Trinity Sport scholar Joe McCarthy as well as Josh van Der Flier, James Lowe and Gary Ringrose. Joe McCarthy, carried his momentum gained from Leinster’s United Rugby Championship title win to his Lions’ debut with McCarthy and Sheehan, alongside two former DUFC alumni Ryan Baird and Thomas Clarkson all playing their part in Leinster’s dominant victory over South African side Bulls in Croke Park two weeks ago in what was Leinster’s first piece of silverware since 2021.
After Saturday’s game, McCarthy, Sheehan and their Lions teammates will complete eight more fixtures across Australia including three test matches against the Wallabies which will take place in Brisbane on 19 July, Melbourne on 26 July, and Sydney on 2 August.
Trinity players celebrate after winning the Annual Men's Colours match between UCD and Trinity in 2019. Credit: Sportsfile.
Trinity Women Volleyball's Grace Moloney and Lara McNichols win Bronze at the Senior Women’s Small Countries Association championship
Trinity Women Volleyball's Grace Moloney and Lara McNichols were on the podium with the Senior Irish Women’s National Team, coming home with Bronze medals from the Senior Women’s CEV Small Countries Association (SCA) volleyball championship on 27-29 June. Ireland were the host countries of the championship which took place at the Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin.
The Senior Ireland Women's team had a strong opening, beginning their championship with a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Iceland, eventually clinching the deciding set 16-14 after saving three match points in a nerve-shredding tie-break. In their second championship match, Ireland confidently cruised past Northern Ireland in a dominant straight-sets 3-0 win to top the rankings early. Trinity's Lara McNichols settled into the match with strong attacks and smart placement. Unfortunately, Ireland lost in their third and final match to San Marino leading to a Bronze medal after Scotland and San Marino both won all three of their matches with Scotland going for Gold and San Marino getting Silver. Well done to the Senior Irish Women’s National Team especially Grace and Lara!
Ireland Women's Senior Volleyball team celebrate Bronze CEV SVA championship, 29 June 2025. Credit: Roman Uzun / Sport Narrative.
Eoin Sullivan's one-shot win at the Boyd Quaich Memorial golf tournament
Eoin Sullivan with his Boyd Quaich Memorial golf trophy. Credit: Chris Reekie.
DU Golf's successes continue to go from strength to strength, from their victorious Colours match win against UCD where they won for the first time in 36 years (since 1989) for which they won 'Performance of the Year' award at the Trinity Sport Awards 2025 to Trinity student and DU Golf player Eoin Sullivan's recent one-shot win at the Boyd Quaich Memorial golf tournament, one of the most prestigious events on the international student golf calendar, at St Andrews. Eoin Sullivan and Samuel Gammell were both representing DU Golf at this prestigious tournament with Samuel finished joint seventh.
On the way to his victory, Eoin carded rounds of 72, 66, 70 and 69 for a nine-under total. After his win, Eoin shared, “I'm absolutely delighted to get the win at such a historic place like St Andrews. I’ve been playing some great golf recently and just so happy that it has paid off this week. A great week for Trinity Golf!"