UCD’s 1987 Gannon Cup had a recent rematch with the ’87 Trinity crew, at Trinity Regatta, when both crews competed in the Arthur Ball.
Below is a photo of the crew taken before the race, and below again, a scan of the crew photo from the 1987 programme.
On the day Trinity won the race, with ultimately Commercial winning the highly coveted (?) Arthur Ball Cup. For those interested in watching a video of the race, click here
Allen Higgins filmed this with a camera he mounted on his rigger.
Guard’s bend, Islandbridge, 16th January 2012
submitted by Tom Molyneaux, via Murrough O’Brien. Tom said “this picture was given to me by the late Toddy Arnold, captain of DUBC in 1942 & 1943 I think”
The late Dr. Frank McKenna was laid to rest yesterday (21-02-11) after Mass in the Church of Our Lady Queen of Victories Sallynoggin which was packed to standing room. In his first year in UCD he got his colours for swimming and then moved on to rowing. He quickly made the Senior VIII and was selected to row in the World Championships in Vienna in 1938 but Hitlers acute sense of timing took priority. He was a very active supporter of UCDBC in the 60’s. I have very fond memories of sessions in the old UCDBC Boat House (newly build when Frank McKenna was rowing) in the 60s. After various dinners (mainly in the Clarence or West County) or celebrations the stalwarts of OC including Ronan Bannin, Jim Meenan, Joe Hanly, John McDermott and Frank McKenna would bring dozens of bottles of Guinness to the Boat House where the plaque erected in the memory of Dr. Arthur Cleary who funded the building of the boat house in 1929 was covered with the first available towel, before a bottle could be opened. The party was generally opened by Frank McKenna who had a very good voice singing Ach von de musica and getting everybody join the Chorus. The party would continue into the small hours with various contributions from Jim Meenan including Sweet Angelina and other ditties from the 30s before descending into more robust and racous singing. Pat O’Sullivans classical tin whistle would be called upon several times to restore musicality which Tom Kirby would follow and sometimes accompany with an off beat jazz version. It was an opportunity to mix with the then remote gods of the 1960 VIII and the remoter gods of, as it then appeared to an 18 year old, ancient UCD history such as the 1948 Olympic crew. Frank McKenna’s bright wit and intelligence made him the life and soul of the sessions and he is the main reason they remained so vivid in my memory. His passing has marked the passing of a great era in the history of UCDBC. In his own words Oiche mhaith codladh samh.
Jim Heney
(F McK) Ach von de musica.
(all) Ach von de musica.
(F McK)) Ach von spieler.
(all) Ach von spieler.
(F McK)) Ich-en-bee-en-zumba-za.
Chorus:
Zumba, zumba, zumba-za (four times)
Other Verses:
Vio, vio, viola,
Picco, picco, piccola
trumpet-la
The death has occurred of James SOMERS of Dublin
Sligo and formerly of Goresbridge. Peacefully, in St. James’s Hospital surrounded by his family. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, pre-deceased by his much loved son-in-law Donal Gilligan, he will be sadly missed by his loving wife Marie, his children Mary Catherine, Charlotte, John and Paul, his adored grandchildren, his son-in-law Mark Foster, his nieces, nephews and his many friends.