Revitalised Trinity likely to halt UCD's run in Gannon

SAILING: A different course, but the same old rivalry: the 55th Gannon Cup, the colours race between UCD and Trinity, will be raced between O'Connell Bridge and just west of Queen's Street Bridge on the Liffey tomorrow (2 p.m), preceded by the Corcoran Cup, the women's race (1.30).

"It's probably seen as as big as the (National) Championships," says Trinity captain and number seven man in the boat, Stuart King. The experienced junior with Neptune says he did not pay the Gannon much attention until he competed for the first time last year. "But it is unbelievable when you're racing in it," he says.

After dominating the Gannon through the 1990s, Trinity underwent a big change in personnel in the last two years, and UCD will be aiming to take their third title on the trot.

However, Trinity are the form crew. Many of the men who were multiple winners in previous years are now competing as Lady Elizabeth crews, but a young intermediate group has come through as a separate entity, proving their form at Neptune, Lagan and Tribesmen heads despite their relative inexperience. Of tomorrow's eight, only King and Nick Wolfe competed last year. Ronan Ó Laoire competed in 2001.

UCD are also concentrating at competing at intermediate level in the eights this year, but coach John Holland was unimpressed by their form at last weekend's Tribesmen head, where they were actually passed by Trinity. "It's not looking good," he says. "But one never knows in a short side-by-side race."

However with experienced men like Robbie Renehan and Brian O'Connell (both in last year's winning crew) and stroke Dermot O'Sullivan their chances of successfully defending their title may depend on how quickly the get into the right rhythm over the shortened course.

The ongoing bridge building on the river means the course has been trimmed so much that it may take only four and a half minutes or so to cover - which makes a good start absolutely crucial.

Trinity's chances in the Corcoran seem very strong: stroked by Ciara Rogerson they had an impressive win in the Tribesmen head, seeing off both UCD and UCC.

The novice women's and men's colours races are scheduled for Islandbridge from 12 p.m.