Masters rowing – Autumn 2022 update

The Club instigated a ‘Return to Rowing’  initiative in August. It provided an opportunity for UCD rowing alumni to get out for recreational paddle or two over a 6 week period. As a result there are now 3 new groups actively rowing, a recent graduate mens group, a Masters mens group and a ladies group. These groups join the 3 groups that have been out rowing for the last number of years and it’s fantastic to now see 6 OCBC crews out on the water. Thanks to the UCD Clubs for support in getting these new crews out. There are already whispers of a trip to the Head of the Charles or similar in 2023…

The Saturday morning “Yellow Boat” organised by Paul Romeril (bow in the above) has been the mainstay of OCBC Masters rowing, first slipping off in January 2004 (photo © Tom Kirby 2022)
When tides allow, crews go below the Islandbridge weir to row through the city out to Poolbeg (photo © Tom Kirby 2022)

Where else would you be at 8am on a Saturday morning? (photo © Tom Kirby 2022)

Hanly Medals 2020 Awardees

On occasion OCBC awards Hanly Medals to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to UCD rowing.  On Friday last, 27th November, Hanly medals were awarded to Aileen Crowley and Sean Jacob.

Aileen enjoyed significant success in UCD Colours at National Championship level and has had a fantastic transition to the National team, securing qualification for the 2- for the Tokyo Olympics and recently winning bronze at the European Championships.


Sean took up rowing at UCD and was Mens Captain in 1993/94. He won an Inter VIII and a Gannon Cup in his undergraduate years before moving on to become one of the most successful rowers at National Championship level (21 titles to date). He also represented Ireland at World Cup and World Championship level and was a finalist in the Diamonds at HRR in OC colours.

Sean made a massive impact on UCDBC on re-joining as a Post Grad in 2009 and was instrumental in the Club winning the Men’s Senior VIII National Championship for the first time in 37 years in 2011. He continues to contribute greatly to UCD rowing in a coaching capacity.

Congratulations to Aileen & Sean from your friends and Clubmates in OC.

Rowing Ireland Homecoming celebration for the Rio Rowers in UCD

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Claire Lambe, Sinead Lynch, Murrough O’Brien (OCBC), Paul O’Donovan, Sanita Puspure (photo: UCD Sport)

A great night was had at the Rowing Ireland Homecoming celebration for the Rio Rowers on September 2nd. All 5 Olympians were in attendance, Gary O’Donovan (Skibbereen RC), Paul O’Donovan (UCDBC & Skibbereen RC), Sinead Lynch (St.Michael’s RC) and of course Claire Lambe and Sanita Puspure of Old Collegians Boat Club, Ireland.

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Gary and Paul O’Donovan (photo Jim Heney)

The event was hosted by UCD in Belfield with about 250 in attendance including former Olympians Jaye Renehan and Martin Feely of OCBC, Pat Gannon, Sean Drea, Neville Maxwell and Niall O’Toole, plus rowers and friends from all of the Boat Clubs, as well as the University.

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Claire Lambe (photo Jim Heney)

Speakers were Professor Andrew Deeks, President of UCD, Con Cronin, President of Rowing Ireland and Murrough O’Brien, President of OCBC. MC on the night was Gerry Murphy of Neptune RC.The 5 Olympians were presented with engraved silver salvers commemorating their achievements by Professor Deeks. OCBC provided the salvers.

Sanita Puspure (photo Jim Heney)

more pictures, courtesy of Jim Heney:

Dublin Head of the River Race – March 26th 2016

The river Liffey and O’Connell Bridge in 1916 (picture shows the damage to buildings incurred during the Rising)

The date for the 2016 Dublin Head of the River Race has been confirmed as Easter Saturday, March 26th.

This will be a significant weekend in Dublin, as it will see the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, a rebellion in which the river Liffey itself played a significant, if grim, part. Crews considering visiting Dublin for our event on this week may be interested to know that there will be many events around the city this weekend, more details of which can be found here.

The Race brings crews through the centre of Dublin, and affords crews a view of the city unseen even by most Dubliners. For more information on the course, please click here.

Entries are limited 30 boats, with Eights being the only boat eligible to compete. Considering the year that it is, we expect all the slots to be taken up early this year.

A small number of boats can be made available to crews from overseas looking to compete – any overseas crews which are interested in participating, are asked to send an email expressing interest to HonSecretary@oldcollegians.ie.

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crews gathering for the start of the 2014 Head of the River Race

71st Dublin Head of the River Race – Saturday 7th March

Walton Rowing Club - Dublin HeadUK Masters Crew from Walton Rowing Club from Walton on Thames, racing under the Rosie Hackett Bridge.

The 71st Dublin Head of the River took place on the Liffey on Saturday 7th of March. We would like to congratulate DUBC who won the Head in a time of 14 minutes and 7 seconds. Full results of the Head can be viewed by clicking here for times listed by pennant and here for results listed by overall times.

We welcomed a visiting Masters crew from Walton Rowing Club, the first overseas crew to compete in Dublin Head for some years.

We would like to thank Councillor Mannix Flynn for starting the race. Councillor Flynn is pictured below with Murrough O’Brien, President of Old Collegians Boat Club.

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OCBC and UCD – Championship Update

OCBC and UCD enjoyed a good weekend at the Champs.

Claire Lambe of OC won both the Womens Single and Lightweight Single, great performance.

The Mens Senior Comp 4X featuring Sean Jacob and Con Collis (with Commercial) also won – according to our records that’s the first Mens Pot in OC colours since 1964. Nice 50th anniversary.

Hopefully more to follow.

In the Mens Senior 4-, Sean and Con were joined by Gearoid Duane and Peter Grogan and were pipped into 2nd by NUIG / Grainne Mhaol.

Gearoid and Peter were fancied in the S2- but had to withdraw due to illness.

The event was, however won by UCD which is an excellent result.

In the Mens 1X, Paul O’Donovan of UCD had a good race and was just beaten into 2nd by 2 secs by Keohane of Lee Valley.

Turlough Hughes of UCD won the Inter 1X whilst UCDBC regained the sought after Novice VIII Pot as well as the Club VIII.

The UCD Ladies also won the Inter VIII.

The UCD/OC Comp SVIII was beaten by NUIG/Grainne Mhaol but it is a great step to have the Clubs competing together in this manner, something we have been working towards for some time.

Also at the weekend Sanita Puspure won the B Final at Lucerne, a very good result.

Finally the UCD VIII that won the Ladies Plate in 1974 had an anniversary rowover on the Sunday of HRR. Nice recognition for the lads who, word has it, enjoyed a great weekend.

Sanita wins B Final at Lucerne: “Sanita is not far from where the medals will be”

Recovering from the setbacks due to illness which affected her 2013 season, Sanita Puspure continues from strength to strength, winning the B Final in Lucerne with what the Irish Times referred to as a commanding performance.  Level at half way with Erichsen (the Danish Sculler, who won a silver medal at the London Olympics), Sanita pushed through for the last 500m to win by over a length ahead of Russian Levina with Denmark’s Erichsen coming in third.

A great performance by the OC sculler, according to Ireland high-performance director Morten Espersen “Sanita is not far from where the medals will be”. As ever, we wish her the very best.  You can keep up to date with Sanita’s progress by following her on Twitter. In a recent post, Sanita tweeted a picture of Mother’s race at her children’s’ sports day – wouldn’t fancy anyone else’s chances!