Aaron O'Brien (WP)

 History was made under the lights of Croke Park as the University of Limerick claimed their first ever Sigerson Cup title – and at the heart of it all was AGB clubman Aaron O’Brien proudly flying the Wicklow flag.

For decades, UL have been knocking on the door in the blue riband of third-level Gaelic football. This time, they kicked it down. In the cavernous surroundings of GAA headquarters, the Limerick-based college delivered a composed, driven performance to finally etch their name onto the famous trophy.

Moments after the final whistle, while teammates embraced and celebrations sparked into life, O’Brien had only one thing on his mind.

“The first thing I did after the final was grab my Wicklow flag out of the gear bag and tie it around my waist,” he smiled.

As the only Wicklow man on the UL panel, it was a moment of immense personal pride. In a squad stacked with inter-county talent from across Ireland, O’Brien carried the Garden County banner alone — but never without support.

“There were probably 10 or 20 people in the stands from Wicklow,” he said. “It’s nice to have that pull and representation. I know it’s Limerick, it’s a good bit away, but it shows that we can get it done.”

Playing in Croke Park is the dream of every young footballer. While the Sigerson final did not have the roar of 83,000 behind it, the occasion was no less special.

“They compare it to being like a cauldron there on a full house day,” O’Brien reflected. “But it’s a bit eerie when it’s empty. The pitch feels even wider. Even warming up on it, you just get a sense that it is a special place. Under the lights, it’s surreal.”

For UL, this victory did not come by chance. Built on years of development, elite preparation and the recruitment of top inter-county footballers, they now sit at the summit of the college game.

O’Brien, only in his second year at the University of Limerick, has already seen the standard required.

“It’s brilliant down there. We’d give most inter-county teams a rattle, if not more. The lads I’m playing with are fantastic,” he said.

Exposure to a variety of coaching styles has sharpened his game considerably.

“You’re getting coaches from different counties — different styles of coaching and play. I’m picking up little bits from all of them. Even the lads I’m friends with are giving me small bits of info. The standards are driven so high, and I’m trying to take that back into everything I do.”

With only a handful of players departing the panel, UL’s triumph may not be a once-off. The core of the squad remains intact, and competition for places is fierce.

“It’s not a case that I’ll get onto the team straight away next year either,” O’Brien admitted. “It’s such a tough team to get into. But if we’ve won it this year with this group, hopefully we can drive it on again.”

There is optimism, too, closer to home. With Wicklow preparing to attack Division 4 and the Tailteann Cup campaign, O’Brien believes brighter days lie ahead.

“Hopefully it’s all going to start falling into place. Stay hard working. There’s something promising coming.”

On a historic night for UL, as medals were lifted and history written, a Wicklow flag fluttered proudly around the waist of one young man. For AGB and for Wicklow football, that image may prove just as significant as the result itself.