A 1989 College of Business Administration graduate, Connaghan was a four-year member of the Fordham swimming team.

A freestyle and backstroke specialist, Connaghan held several school, league (MAAC) and Eastern records in her Fordham career. She held the school record in the 50, 100, 200, and 500 freestyle and 100 and 200 backstroke and the MAAC record in the 100 and 200 backstroke. She was named MVP of the MAAC in her sophomore year.
On the regional level, Connaghan competed in the Easterns and was a member of the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams which qualified for the Eastern Championship in the 50 freestyle in her junior season.