ALMOST to their surprise, UCD rediscovered a competitiveness that has been missing in recent years to finish yesterday's University Boat Race within half a length of Trinity, having held the lead up until the final 20 strokes.
Since their 4 1/2 length demolition in last year's Gannon Cup, UCD has totally rebuilt its squad under national coach John Holland. But, before yesterday, the new look eight had remained largely unproven.
Six of the crew were novices from last season, and Holland's back to basics regime meant that UCD were starting without any experience of high rate racing. However, after their first few strokes from St James' Gate, UCD were rating at 37 strokes a minute and had established a canvass lead over Trinity, which was quickly stretched to half a length by Watling St Bridge.
Trinity's experienced line up had not been allowed to find their stride, and as UCD's stroke, Kieran Furlong, moved up alongside Ewen Robson in Trinity's bow at the Four Courts, they were still rowing a frenetic rate of 39. The writing, however, was on the wall.
UCD had been unable to use their early North station advantage - worth half a length - to shut the door on a Trinity fightback, and when it came there was no response.
With Andrew Coleman stroking his first colours race, Trinity at last regained their composure and, started to reel in the leaders with a sustained push from Capel Street to the Marlborough Street steps finish line. "We spent too long at too high a rating, and once we settled down, the boat really started to move," Micheal O'Connell said later.
The win - Trinity's 28th from 49 Gannon Cup races - was, according to one UCD oarsman, sealed in the last 20 strokes when the college cox had to steer wide to take the last bridge.
"When the pain hit at the Hapenny we just couldn't find anything to respond to Trinity's push. We went under O'Connell bridge a canvass down and came out half a length behind; it was really a could have been race. We were shocked at the start, because we thought they would be killing us before the second bridge."
The emergence of Trinity women as something more than an underdog in the Corcoran Cup represents a small victory in itself after spending years firmly rooted in their opponent's shadow, but hopes of victory against UCDL yesterday failed to materialise.
Eligibility rules forced UCDL to field five novices in the all student race, and the absence of key players Vanessa Lawrenson, Debbie Stack and Grace Sheridan, on national squad camp, had allowed only a week on the water together. In the event, Trinity's eight showed the inexperience, even with Henley winners Clare McGee, Eithne McSwiney, Sally Morehead and Jane Millar rowing.
The decision not to put one of the more experienced oarswomen in the stroke seat was to prove costly. In the first 100 metres after a poor start, Trinity were half a length down on UCDL and rowing noticeably shorter on the catch. By the Four Courts, clear water was appearing between the boats as UCDL, rowing long and relaxed, capitalised on the handicap.
Trinity raised their work rate and didn't allow the margin to run away, but in the end UCDL's two length verdict was comfortably won.
"We rowed two pips lower than Trinity all the way down, and even though we weren't doing light pressure we thought it might have been a closer contest," said Sonja Kidney.
