UCD retains Gannon Cup

UCD have won the Gannon Cup for the 2nd year in a row. Conditions on the day meant that the new course in the Docklands had to be shortened to just over 1,200m for the Senior crews and the Novice races moved to the Trinity Regatta course above the weir. There were 5 races on the day beginning with the ‘Goonan Cup’, for the reserve Novice Men. One of the UCD crew was unlucky enough to come off his seat early in the race and Trinity managed to take full advantage winning comfortably. Next up was the Sally Morehead Trophy for the Novice Women; Despite an early lead of a length for UCD, Trinity pushed back strongly along the Army straight and rowed through the UCD crew to again win comfortably.
The Dan Quinn Shield for 1st Year Novice Men was more closely fought with the crews level coming into the Garda bend, Trinity on the North station took their advantage well here and over the last 500m, increased this advantage to finish a length ahead.

Action then moved to the Sean O’Casey Bridge in the Docklands where the Senior Women were competing for the Corcoran Cup. Trinity had an excellent start and took an early lead of just over half a length. Despite being put under pressure by strong pushes from the UCD crew, the Trinity Ladies kept their composure and held off the pushes to win by roughly the same margin of their early lead.

It was thus left to the Senior Men to prevent a Trinity ‘clean sweep’ in the last race of the day, the Gannon Cup. UCD were anticipating a fast start from Trinity and stuck to their race plan when they went down by a quarter of a length off the start. During the evening training sessions in Cork, the crew had focussed on developing their stride and maintaing a strong rhythm and this training paid off in the rolling conditions on the course as the crew settled into their rhythm. By the halfway mark, UCD were up by 3/4 of a length. Passing the MV Cill Airne, Trinity put in a strong push and closed this lead back to half a length. Again, UCD kept their composure and then put in their own push, extending out a lead of a length which they kept to the finish at the East Link.

UCD Boat Club would like to thank the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Buitoni Pasta for their sponsorship and also Johnny Devitt for his organisation of the event. We would also like to congratulate Trinity on their wins and for an excellent contest.