Student Blog - Giselle Keogh, 2nd Year BSc Finance

27 Mar 2026

Giselle Keogh, a second year BSc Finance student, shares about her experience at the 2026 Irish Student Consulting Group (ISCG) National Case Competition in Dublin.

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to compete in the Irish Student Consulting Group (ISCG) National Case Competition in Dublin, where our team finished second overall. Earlier in the week we had placed first in the UCC branch competition, which meant we had the chance to represent UCC at a national level against teams from seven other Irish universities. 

The case we worked on was based on Griolladh, the Irish food brand known for its toasties and growing presence in the Irish hospitality market. Our task was to conduct a thorough analysis of the business and develop a set of credible, actionable growth recommendations that could realistically be executed over a five-year horizon. That meant getting under the skin of the brand, understanding where it currently sits in the market, what its competitive advantages actually are, where the opportunities lie, and what risks could derail any ambitious expansion plans. What made it challenging and honestly, what made it valuable, was the time pressure. It forced us to think practically, big ideas are easy, but the real challenge is making them realistic, financially viable, and aligned with the company’s brand. 

 I had the pleasure of working alongside Sinead McCormack, Jack O’Callaghan, and Cillian Lloyd, and the way we challenged each other’s ideas ultimately helped strengthen our final solution. Having multiple perspectives allowed us to refine our thinking and approach the problem from different angles. 

 A huge thank you to the Irish Student Consulting Group (ISCG) and the UCC Consulting Society for organising the competition. Looking back, finishing second nationally was a great achievement, and I am beyond proud to have had the opportunity to take part in such a valuable learning experience!