The UCD Mens and Ladies Boat clubs took to the River Liffey this morning for the annual Colours or ‘Gannon’ Cup againt Trinity College. With 4 teams competing UCD were able to retain the Gannon and Moorehead Cups and claim back the Corcoran and Dan Quinn Shield from Trinity.

The races kicked off in beautiful St. Patricks Day conditions with the Moorehead Cup which involves the Novice Ladies, at 8.00am. Following the coin toss for stations which took place on Monday, UCD men lost and drew south station UCD women won and drew north station. The race ran over the course from O’Connell Bridge to James’ Gate Brewery.

Following all four races, Moorehead Cup, Dan Quinn Shield, Corcoran Cup and the Gannon Cup itself, UCD with a star studded crew including Irish team members and Elite Athletes Claire Lambe and Sean Jacob, claimed all four prizes.

The University College Dublin Novice Ladies boat crew, who celebrated the Sally Moorhead Trophy victory was made up of Caoimhe O'Riordan, Helen McGarry, Norma O'Mahony, Tierna Brazil, Aoife O'Riordan, Greta Hughes, Aoife Coughlan, Eimear Nolan and cox Aoife Ledwidge O'Brien.

The Senior Women in the Corcoran Cup consisted of Bronwyn Lait, Laura Reid, Aoife Gilligan, Siofra Bennett, Amy Bulman, Claire Ní Reachtagáin, Karen Joy and Clodagh Tanner, under cox Ciara McGowan,

The University College Dublin Novice Men’s crew was Niall Murphy, Brian Reilly, Rory Vignoles, Eamonn Lannoye, Oisin Tracey, Sam Baxter, John St Ledger, Cathal McGowan and cox Kirsten Joyce, and they equally celebrate their Dan Quinn Shield victory against Trinity College Dublin.

Finally the The University College Dublin Senior Men’s boat crew was Peter Grogan, Gearóid Duane, Sean Jacob, Finbar Manning, David Neal, Sean O Neill, Richie Murray and Colm Pierce who completed the clean sheet as they retained the 2011 Gannon Cup against Trinity College Dublin.

See here for interviews and footage of the spectacular win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkn8KxjFIxE