The period during which the club was known as UCD Waves was a successful golden era for the senior side. Throughout this period The Waves reached 2 cup finals and challenged regularly for the league title.
Between 2014 to 2017 the club was managed by Eileen Gleeson, who is now the current Ireland manager. Throughout this period UCD Waves boasted a squad full of talent who would go on to play for Ireland and achieve success domestically. Notable players of this era include Áine O’Gorman who would surpass 100 caps for Ireland and feature for the National Squad in the 2023 World Cup, Karen Duggan who would be capped 35 times for Ireland and win multiple league titles with Peamount United, and Julie-Ann Russell who scored two goals for Ireland in their 2025 Euro qualifying campaign, against England and in a famous victory over France. Other notable UCD Waves players at the time who have been capped for Ireland include Savannah McCarthy, Chloe Mustaki, Caroline Thorpe, Jetta Berrill, Dora Gorman.
The 2014-15 season was one of the most successful for The Waves, finishing as runners-up in both the league and the cup. In the Women’s National League The Waves missed out on the title to Wexford Youths (later known as Wexford FC) by 2 points, with a record of 13 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats in 18 games. UCD Waves were the top scorers in the league that season with 69 goals, and had the best goal difference with +50. The FAI Cup final, which took place in November 2014, saw The Waves lose out to Raheny United (who would later merge with Shelbourne) 2-1 after extratime, with future Ireland captain Katie McCabe on the scoresheet for the winners. Áine O’Gorman finished as the golden boot winner in the league. She made the team of the season along with Waves teammate Karen Duggan.
The 2015-16 season saw UCD Waves finish 3rd in the league, 4 points behind Wexford Youths and Shelbourne. In 12 games The Waves won 8, drew 1, and lost 3. The Waves were beaten in the league cup final by Shelbourne, and finished 2nd in Group A in the new WNL Shield. Once again Áine O’Gorman won the golden boot and was joined in the team of the season by Karen Duggan.
2016 saw a reduced season to accommodate the move toward a single-year league rather than a league that crosses over two years. In the 12 game league campaign UCD Waves finished with 2nd place with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 2 defeats, scoring 33 goals. Three UCD Waves players made the team of the season, these were Jetta Berrill, Niamh Prior, and Karen Duggan.
In 2017 UCD Waves primarily played home games in Jackson Park. This season saw Noel Kealy take over as manager. The Waves finished 4th out of 7 teams, with a record of 8 wins, 3 draws, and 7 defeats in 18 games. The Waves scored 37 goals. In November of this year The Waves were narrowly beaten in the FAI Cup final against Cork City, with former Ireland international Clare Shine scoring a memorable goal to win the game. Two Waves made the WNL team of the year in Claire Walsh and Karen Duggan.
The 2018 season was the final year in which the club was named UCD Waves, although DLR Waves and UCD still maintain a close connection to this day. The Waves finished 6th out of 8 teams in this campaign, with a record of 5 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses out of 21 games. Erica Turner was The Waves goalkeeper at the time and was awarded young player of the year and was included in the team of the season.
The period in which the club was known as UCD Waves was a golden era for the senior side. The bond between DLR Waves and UCD football has remained strong ever since.
Next Chapter: DLR Waves 2019-2022