It is organised by the Higher Education Colleges committee of the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association.

Mary Immaculate College won the inaugural competition in 1987.

[2][3][4] Since 2018 the O'Connor Cup has been sponsored by Gourmet Food Parlour.

[6][7][8] During the 2010s, the O'Connor Cup final has been broadcast live by TG4 and/or YouTube.

[2][3] Source:[2][3][42] Source:[3] Since 1993 teams knocked out in the early rounds of the O'Connor Cup have subsequently competed in the consolation competition, the Micheal O'Connor Shield.