'Mortimer's Sigerson Magic' was the headline on the Sunday Independent on February 26, 2006, after Conor Mortimer inspired DCU to their first ever Sigerson title.
The Mayo man had also been on the front page of the Saturday paper, having 'responded' to a few UCC hecklers after scoring a free during DCU's semi-final win, on what was a memorable Sigerson weekend for the college.
Dubs Bernard Brogan, Bryan Cullen Stephen Cluxton, Ross McConnell and Paul Casey were among the star names on that history-making DCU team, along with Cavan's Seanie Johnston.
Niall Moyna managed DCU in 2006, with his professional approach helping the Glasnevin college rise up to take their first title.
25 February 2006; Conor Mortimer, DCU, celebrates the final point of the match. Datapac Sigerson Cup Final, Queens University, Belfast v Dublin City University, Parnell Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Damien Eagers / SPORTSFILE
Before then, DCU were Sigerson also-rans but they won three titles between 2006 and 2012, as a golden generation of players linked up on Collins Avenue.
They won further titles in '15 and '20, and are in pursuit of a sixth crown on Wednesday night against cross-city rivals UCD.
Mayo's Mortimer has great memories of that maiden Electric Ireland Sigerson triumph, with DCU defeating Queen's University under the lights in Parnell Park to take the glory.
The game was televised, adding to the sense of occasion for the players, and Mortimer hit 0-4 to pave the way to victory.
He says their 'ahead of the curve approach' in terms of recovery helped them deal with the 'weekend scenario' of those times, when the final and semi-final took place on successive days.
Mortimer and Brogan in DCU. Sportsfile.
"We had the swimming pool in DCU, and then the little room off of that with ice baths. Dublin weren't even using ice baths back in that time.
"In fairness to the lads, everyone was back into the house, no messing, had food, recovered and got ready to play. And we were ready to go for the Saturday evening. We knew what we needed to do," he recalls.
"First half it was fairly tight. Parnell Park, soggy pitch. Tough going in the first half.
"Whatever happened in the second half, I got a good break and got two or three points on the trot to give us a bit of breathing space. Jelly (Seanie Johnston) and Bernard Brogan made a bit of space for me as they might allude to themselves," he laughs.
DCU endured a dry spell despite having some stacked squads in the years that followed, but they triumphed again in 2010, defeating UCC in the final.
Roscommon's Cathal Cregg set up Meath's Bryan Sheridan for the all important goal in that year's final.
The team was full of Dubs with great potential otherwise, such as Philly McMahon, Jonny Cooper, Kevin Nolan, Paddy Andrews and Paul Flynn.
3 February 2010; Cathal Cregg, DCU, in action against Mark McGowan, UCD. Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup, Round 2, Dublin City University v University College Dublin, DCU Sportsground, Dublin. Picture credit: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE
"A lot of the Dubs were on the back of their good under-21 teams," reflects Cathal Cregg on that triumph in '12. They were good lads.
"It was before they made it real big with the Dubs, but they were very grounded fellas, and always fantastic footballers. Their basic skills of the game, attacking and defending, were just really, really good.
"I only met Kevin Nolan a couple of weeks ago. I chat Andrews fairly regular. I meet the other lads now and again."
"We had a fairly solid team. Every year I was there, we had a good shout because of the panel of players we had, even past number 15, back to 25. You could argue we should have won another one or two.
"That team, we hadn't won it for a few years so there was a serious itch to go and achieve it. We hadn't achieved as much as we should have."
Cregg was again part of the winning team in 2012, with Dean Rock, Michael Murphy and Eoghan O'Gara among the illustrious additions to the team.
He says the experience laid the foundations for his career, opening his eyes to what was required to succeed in county football.
"That college experience had a huge bearing for myself on the rest of my career.
"When I got up to DCU, there were great structures in place that Niall Moyna, Martin Conroy and Declan Brennan put in place. Everyone was going to the gym, everyone was doing their recovery sessions, training was really good.
"It opened my eyes a lot. I got six years of that. Roscommon progressed then at the same time, through the divisions, but DCU gave me great foundations as to how to prepare as a county player.
22 February 2013; Michael Murphy and Dean Rock, left, Dublin City University, leave the field after defeat. Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup Semi-Final, Dublin Institute of Technology v Dublin City University, Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
"It probably helped I was studying Sport Science. Playing along with the likes of Conor and lads from other counties, you'd have picked up a lot there as well.'
Mortimer won't forget the socialising and the nights out, having lived in what he describes as a 'fairly hectic household' with Bernard Brogan and Ross McConnell amongst others.
Cregg can relate.
"It was probably the most socialising I ever done to be honest with you," adds Cregg. Even though we picked our times to do it. We had plenty of good times anyway," he reflects on those years.
As for the hairstyles?
"A haircut and a hairbrush wouldn't have gone astray for Cathal at the time," says Mortimer.
"It paled in comparison to Mort's," is Cregg's reply.
Let's just say they were of their time!
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Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships Sigerson Cup Final Photocall 11/2/2025
Pictured is former DCU Footballers and Sigerson Cup winners, Mayo’s Conor Mortimer and Roscommon’s Cathal Cregg as they look ahead to the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships Sigerson Cup final this Wednesday 12th February. Through its #FirstClassRivals campaign, Electric Ireland will continue to celebrate the unique alliances that form between county rivals as they come together in pursuit of some of the most coveted titles across GAA and Camogie.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
