Colours Boat Races: UCD make it five in a row in Gannon Cup
23 March 2026
The UCD's Men’s Senior Eights: Dach Murray, Conaill Cunningham, Ross Mason, Andrew O’Leary, Rhian Nelson (cox), Ciaran Conway Conor O’Reilly, Oisin Dolan, and Eoin McGrath
University College Dublin has secured a historic fifth consecutive Gannon Cup win at the Dublin City (opens in a new window)Colours Boat Races.
The senior men’s crew delivered a dominant performance to convincingly beat rivals Trinity College Dublin at the intervarsity competition.
The victory puts UCD ahead 38–37 against TCD and marks the first time since 1976 that Belfield has led the overall Gannon Cup standings.
The UCD Senior Men’s team, right, contest the Gannon Cup against the Trinity College Senior Men’s team during the 76th annual Colours Boat Race Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
UCD also claimed both novice events at the 76th edition of the Colours Boat Races, winning the Dan Quinn Shield (Men’s Novice Eights) and the Sally Moorhead Trophy (Women’s Novice Eights).
The men’s novice crew won by four lengths, while the women’s race was awarded to UCD after a racing incident forced Trinity to retire.
In the senior women’s race, Trinity secured the Corcoran Cup, finishing three lengths ahead of UCD and preventing a fifth consecutive win for Belfield.
The annual races, held over a 2km stretch of the River Liffey from O’Connell Bridge to Victoria Quay, attracted large crowds and were supported this year by Dublin City Council.
Attending the event, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, praised the competition, describing the races as “hard fought” and “well-earned.”
“This historic and annual race day is an important part of Dublin’s sporting calendar, creating a superb opportunity for spectators to witness high quality, head-to-head rowing on the River Liffey through the heart of the City Centre.
“I would like to congratulate all the crews on their performances. The races were hard fought and the wins were well-earned,” he said.
The Colours Boat Races began in 1947 with the introduction of the Gannon Cup, presented in memory of UCD Boat Club Captain Ciaran Gannon, who was killed on active service in 1944 with the Royal Army Medical Corps.
The competition has since expanded to include the Corcoran Cup, Dan Quinn Shield, and Sally Moorhead Trophy.
UCD Crew Lists
Men’s Senior Eights
Dach Murray, (Stroke), Conaill Cunningham (7), Ross Mason (6), Andrew O’Leary (5), Ciaran Conway (4), Conor O’Reilly (3), Oisin Dolan (2), Eoin McGrath (Bow and Captain UCDBC). Cox: Rhian Nelson
Women’s Senior Eights
Ailíse O’Sullivan (Stroke), Aoife Feeley (7), Orla O’Sullivan (6), Isabella Devitt (5), Molly Powell (4), Sophie Rhatigan (3), Carrie Savage (2), Grace O’Sullivan (Bow). Cox: Neasa Farrell
Women’s Novice Eights
Hannie Culhane (Stroke), Clodagh Walsh (7), Faye McEntaggart (6), Cato Röell (5), Lia Butler (4), Isabelle Ryan (3), Alison Callinan (2), Eilís Mullane (Bow). Cox: Wyatt Sumner
Men’s Novice Eights
Cuan Moore (Stroke), Senan Tighe (7), Jan Mizak (6), Luke Duffy (5), Luke Boyle (4), Daithi Bowen (3), Matthew Gilson (2), Josh Hanson (Bow). Cox: Nisha Woolworth
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
