The Colours Races

Gannon cup crew 2005

Ciaran Gannon was born in Co. Galway, and having passed through Clongowes Wood College, entered University College Dublin, in October 1933. He at once joined the College Boat Club and, in 1934, was a member of the Maiden Eight which, that year was unbeaten. Gannon was an enthusiastic oarsman and he loved the sport for its own sake. He was also loyal to his club and he showed it by the manner in which he consistently gave of his best as a Maiden then as a Junior and finally, as a Senior oarsman. In 1937 he was elected Club Captain and in that capacity he showed his fitness not only in the field of rowing as a coach as well as oarsman, but also as an administrator. He threw all his energies into his work and during his Captaincy, to which he was re-elected in 1938, University College Dublin Boat Club achieved a very high level of success. For the first time, the Club won the Wylie Cup and the Leander and Metropolitan Cups.

Ciaran Gannon graduated in Medicine and Surgery in 1939 and shortly afterwards went to England, where he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps with the rank of Captain. He served for a time in Egypt and then in India, going subsequently to Burma, where he was killed in 1944.

In recognition of his services to Rowing generally and particularly to University College Dublin Boat Club, as well as in tribute to his fine character and personality, his former associates and friends decided to perpetuate his memory by bringing to fruition the long contemplated and cherished plan for an annual race on the Liffey between University College Dublin, and Dublin University. For this race, a perpetual challenge trophy, to be known as the Gannon Memorial Cup was presented.

In recent times, the Dan Quinn shield race has been held between DUBC and UCD for novices in either university during their first year of rowing.