Well, what a day…what a day.
In short, the day was perfect. Four Races and four wins for UCD.
Novice Women and Men followed by the Corcoran Cup and The Gannon Cup. If you count the Novice B Races on Tuesday evening UCD won 5 out of 5.
The day attracted a number of ViP’s to see the race. Hugh Brady, Presidesnt of UCD, Colin Boreman, Head of the Elite Athlete Academy, Brian Mullins, Director of Sport, not to mention a certain Jaye Renehan representing Old Collegians.
UCD have put up a nice article on their site which you should all check out
Also there is a documentary being made on the race at the moment by a group called mediaconnect. I will forward on more details on it when I get it but here is a link to their site.
http://www.mediaconnect.ie/gannoncup2011/
The prequel to Thursday’s races was Tuesday evening’s Race for the Novice B Boats. The race was in Islandbridge. In true Novice style, there were crabs, clashes, stops, starts. The coxing was interesting and managed to make the 1500m course closer to a 2K race for each boat. After, a lot of ups and downs between the two boats UCD fell over the line a length in the lead and the tone was set for Thursday’s races.
The novice men were first up on Thursday for UCD after the novice women won. Previous outings at Limerick and Dublin Head should that there would be little between the boats. Trinity were very confident and match this batch of novices as some of the best to go through Trinity.
Trinity were down a length at Capeal Street Bridge as UCD exploded off the start and managed a touch over 40 strokes per minute. They settled down to a solid 32-33 and just walked away from a Trinity Boat which was trying to understand what had just happened. Welcome to side by side racing! UCD finished just over 3 lengths up at the finish.
As we know, the Novice Gannon Race is for first year oarsmen. Trinity have a very strong 2nd Year Novice Boat which will take some catching. Based on this UCD performance they will have them in their sights.
The Senior women were next up and rowed well to beat a favoured Trinity Boat.
And so to the main event, The Gannon Cup.
UCD were looking very composed and focused before the start. This Trinity Boat has their eyes set at the Intermediate Pot at the end of the year. UCD will be looking at one level higher.
Off the start the strength of the UCD Boat was plain to see and pushed ahead of a slick Trinity Boat to force out a length’s lead before the four courts. The conditions were testing and the UCD boat, with a little more power and experience, were able to set the boat up better and stretch out their lead. Over the line UCD were 4 lengths up.
4 in a row to UCD.
As part of the St Patricks Day Festival, the crews were presented with their trophies in front of the GPO prior to the parade starting. Also, there was a nice bit of TV coverage of the racing on RTE.
After, there was an organised lunch in the Clarence. Between booking out both Restaurants we had over 200 people in attendance.
We all know the ebb and flow of the Gannon Cup. UCD are enjoying their time in the sun and without doubt Trinity will be back stronger and faster in future years, if not later in the season. A mark of a good crew is how the react to defeat and also how the respond to victory. It was pleasing to see the mutual respect between the crews at the lunch and the night out. Let the business happen on the water, and the enjoyment off!!
Thanks have to be mentioned to John Walsh who helped organise the day, The St Patricks Day Festival, The Clarence Hotel for enduring all of us! Those who have contributed to the Graduate Fund and UCD for their interest and support. All is much appreciated.
So, what next?
The University Championships are on in Cork on April 9th. UCD have a Wiley Cup to defend. Queens University will be one of many institutions trying to prevent this happening.
Thanks,
Colm Daly
President
UCD Boat Club
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