Mary Immaculate College (MIC) recently celebrated its Giles Cup winning Senior Ladies’ Football Team with a special medal ceremony and reception.
Three years since they last won the competition, players and management gathered for the presentation, held in the Tailteann Sports Complex at MIC Limerick, where they were officially recognised after emerging as winners of the Division 2 championship in 2025. It was the fourth time MIC won the Giles Cup, following a superb final where the team overcame University College Dublin (UCD) with a full-time score of 3-9 to 1-8. MIC previously claimed the title in 2012, 2014 and 2022.
Speaking at the ceremony before presenting players with their medals and a jersey to mark the occasion, President of MIC, Professor Dermot Nestor said: “For any player, in any sport – even the most successful - this sense of struggle in and for victory, is readily understandable. For you, the 2025 winners of the Giles Cup, it is perhaps more so - and that has nothing to do with having to play the game in Belfast! I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you and extend that congratulations to your families and friends and to all who have supported you over the many years that you have had to struggle simply to do the things that you love and which you excel at.”
Addressing her management at the ceremony, team captain Aoife Dillane said: “To our wonderful management, Pat Galvin, Ciara Hynes, Emma Ryan, Mairead Ryan, Martha Bowles and Caoimhe Costelloe - thank you! As a team, we really appreciate the time and commitment you have given MIC football this year and over many years. I’d also like to thank Joe Redington and Ciara Cregan in the Sports Office for ensuring the pitches are always available, the balls are always pumped, and the buses are always booked. Thank you very much for all you have done to get us here. Finally, a big thank you to our manager, Richard Bowles. The time and dedication Richard gives to MIC football is inspiring. You're a brilliant lecturer, a fantastic coach, and a great manager, but above all else, you’re a genuinely caring person, so thank you.”
Of her teammates, she added: “We set out a few goals at the start of the year, and we reached every single one of them this year and went far beyond. Every time you took to the pitch, you did the MIC jersey proud. Everything that's been asked of you, you took it on board and, progressed each week. Girls, you're an excellent credit to your clubs, your counties, your families and especially Mary Immaculate College.”
Aoife, alongside her fellow MIC ladies’ Senior Footballers Lydia McDonagh and Rachel Dwyer, were just this week selected as members of the HEC All-Stars team.
