The Dublin student who led Christ's College, Cambridge to victory in the final of University Challenge has described the experience as 'a dream come true'.
22-year-old Oscar Despard led the Cambridge team to a thrilling win over the University of Warwick on last night's BBC quiz show.
The team trailed behind for most of the final, taking the lead as the clock ticked down and winning by just five points - the minimum margin possible in the competition.
The final score was 175 to Christ's Cambridge and 170 to Warwick.
"For the final, we fell so far behind, to be honest, I was kind of resigned to it. I was just trying to go through the questions as fast as possible to give us some small chance of catching up," he said.
"I was stunned when the final dong went. It turned out just the right moment for us."
Reflecting on a congratulations message from President Michael D Higgins, Mr Despard added: "It feels a bit weird. I mean it's ultimately a trifle, but it's a trifle I enjoyed very much. It's nice to see that other people have enjoyed it too."
Congratulations to Oscar Despard on captaining his team from Christ's College, Cambridge, to victory in the final of University Challenge
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) May 13, 2025
At the age of 14, Mr Despard did a project for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition on how gluten degrades during long fermentation in sourdough bread. He went on to win the Individual Prize at the exhibition in 2020.
He attended Sandford Park School in Ranelagh and was one of just two Leaving Cert students in Ireland in 2021 to achieve nine H1s.
He is now studying for a PhD in molecular biology at Christ's College, Cambridge.
Speaking on RTÉ's Oliver Callan show, Mr Despard explained that the show had been recorded a few months ago.
However, he said he still got worried halfway through the viewing of the programme last night.
The college put on a special viewing and drinks reception even though they did not know if the team had won or not.
Mr Despard watched University Challenge in the main lecture theatre along with a "large turnout" of students, the Master and the Fellows.
"It seems stupid to say, but you get anxious all over again," he said.
Mr Despard said he kept details of his involvement "very quiet" and received an influx of texts last night.
However, he said he thinks his mother got even more texts than he did.
Mr Despard's father William is owner of The Bretzel Bakery in Portobello. His parents watched the show at an event organised by his mother at his old sailing club in Dún Laoghaire.
He added that his father said he was very proud, and his sister had been supportive throughout.
