DUBC NEWS >> Dublin University Boat Club and the next five years page 5 >> Chris George on James Lindsay-Fynn page 18 The crew which beat Oxford: Eoin MacDomhnaill, Eoghan Kerlin, Paul Laird, Henry Tindal, Alexander Floyd, Seán Osborne, Joseph Calnan, Peter Heverin and (in front) Gabriel Magee at Trinity Regatta. A fine win over Oxford Blues at Trinity Regatta Gabriel Magee president and cox Nick Brodie our top Empacher eight, and a shock. racing on the south station. and double Olympian and we made our way to the start in The Trinity men, having However, witnesses report see- world champion Mike our second craft. It might be the experience of the peculiar ing the Oxford president with THE HIGHLIGHT of Trinity Wherley), four Isis rowers argued that this was like David flow at the start of the course, his arm in the water coming Regatta 2008 was the exhibi- (among them former Neptune offering Goliath his own shiny got off to a clean start and, to round the turn. He was clearly tion race between Oxford man Martin Walsh) and one sword and contending himself everyone’s surprise, were a not prepared to take the turn, University Boat Club and spare man made up the eight with his trusty old slingshot, length up by the first bend. and with the racing rudder of Dublin University Boat Club. on the day. Despite not being but the Captain had promised Oxford, however, maintained the Empacher he was left with An invitation had been sent to the full line-up which had beat- the Oxford men our top boat, their composure, as one would no other resort. While it this year’s victorious Blue en Cambridge, it was nonethe- so we obliged. Indeed, most of expect from such a distin- demonstrates his skill and Boat, and with the help of less a formidable opponent, the the spectators on the bank rated guished crew, and began to composure in making the best funding from DU Central likes of which has not been the men in Black and White as fight back coming into the big out of a mistake, it is also a tes- Athletic Club, they gladly seen on Irish waters in some serious underdogs compared to bend. Brodie had placed them tament to the old proverb that accepted the all-expenses-paid time. David was in Black and the Dark Blues, who impressed on the correct line coming out an ounce of prevention is trip. Though the full contingent White; Goliath, in Dark Blue. the crowds with their clean of the first bend and they were worth a pound of cure: a brief could not attend, four members As gracious hosts, we starts on the way up the course. poised to take their advantage of the Blue Boat (including offered the Oxford contingent However, they were in for at the Boohouse, as they were (continued on page 4) Dublin University Boat Club. 17.0.01 Trinity College, Dublin 2. www.boat.tcdlife.ie. [email protected]. May 2008 2 MAY 2008 DUBC NEWS The 2007 Captain’s Report THE BEGINNING of a new rowing year is always an exciting time. However, the opening of the 2007 season seemed more significant than usual. It marked the 140th anniversary of the founding of the Boat Club, which had split from the older DU Rowing Club. Perhaps even more importantly, it marked the 30th anniversary of the last Trinity win at Henley: The last stroke of the race against Oxford University at Trinity Regatta. The Trinity the 1977 victory in the eight was (from bow) Joseph Calnan, Seán Osborne, Henry Tindal, Peter Heverin, Paul Ladies’ Plate. Laird, Alexander Floyd, Eoin MacDomhnaill and Eoghan Kerlin. Gabriel Magee was in These facts were in the back of my mind as we the coxswain’s seat. began training in September. With seven oarsmen from the previous year’s intermediate pot-winning eight returning, plus experienced oarsmen Cummins, Doherty, and for- mer QUBBC standout Kerlin adding to the squad, and a large group of returning novice oarsmen, there seemed to be a real sense that this group could turn the dream of an anniversary win at Henley into a reality. (continued on page 13) Flying the flag again Donagh MacDonagh at President and Vice-President: Robin Tamplin and Alan Henley last year. Browne having a chat at Trinity Regatta this year. IT HAD been several years since the original Club flag flew at Islandbridge. The only time current members had seen the old banner was when watching the memo- rable Boat Club party scene in Quackser Fortune has a Cousin in the Bronx. But thanks to perennial student and man of many sports Gerard Connors, the Club now has in its posses- sion a large embroidered reproduction of the original, which consists of the arms of the College on a royal blue shield imposed on a back- ground of black and white chevrons. It was made by Flag Makers, Montague Lane, Dublin 2. An editorial in Trinity !ews last year called for this flag to be flown over Front Gate when the Club next wins at Henley. Could this be On the podium at KRSG Regatta in Ghent, Belgium, last year. The senior eight finished the year? second behind Leander Club in the final of the senior “A” eights. DUBC NEWS MAY 2008 3 Thoughts from our President Thanks for generosity and some very positive news to DUBC’s Robin Tamplin own rowing days as I joined the Appeal boys over meals at the centre, but I can see I have a lot to learn I WOULD like to thank WHERE does the time go? Here to get fully up to speed with the everyone who generously I am scurrying to put a few training and facilities that are contributed to the DUBC thoughts together for the 2008 part of the modern rowing Appeal campaign in 2007. DUBC !ews, with more than a world. Last year the appeal raised year under my belt as Club Back on home ground I am €15,190 from 62 contribu- President. The year has delighted to be able to report a tors, compared to €16,700 absolutely flown, which may of welcome development regard- from 72 contributors in course say more about advanc- ing the boathouse extension. A 2006 and €12,500 from 64 ing years than anything else, but letter has been received from Mr contributors in 2005. A I’ll just park that thought, if I Michael Gleeson, Secretary to number of standing orders may, for the moment. It has in the College, informing us that expired in 2006–2007 truth been a very full year, with the College is willing to accept which we hope to reestab- bits, like the curate’s egg, of liability for the total cost of lish in 2008. good and bad. stage one – the changing rooms In 2007 the Appeal I felt for the Club as it – at €810,000, and that the paid for the repair and weathered a couple of disap- IR£287,000 contributed by Boat replacement of several pointments: the losing of the Club members (in response to boats and critical equip- novice eights championship to the 2001 appeal) can be seen as ment, including a €6,000 UCD at Iniscarra and the meet- a contribution to the remaining contribution to the pur- ing of tough opposition at areas of development. This is chase of a racing coxed Henley. great news, and credit must go four, €8,550 towards the The novice championship to those who have been purchase of three pairs loss was a big disappointment to Robin at speaking at the Regatta Luncheon involved, especially Michael from Oxford University the crew members and coach at Trinity Regatta this year. Gleeson himself. We owe him Boat Club and €2,500 for John Mohan, all of whom had enormous thanks for his role in boat repairs. put in sterling work during the have read about the attack on and the squad for a couple of bringing this about. As the capital equip- year. A fine crew had been pro- our boats at Villierstown, Co days over the New Year. What This year has had bits of ment requirements of duced which had been welded Waterford. Considerable dam- an experience that was, includ- sadness for me, and I know for DUBC continue to grow in together essentially at age was caused while the novice ing as it did meeting up with many others, with the passing of conjunction with the small Cappoquin earlier in the year. and intermediate squads were James Lindsay-Fynn, past that remarkable man Norman boats training policy, we At Henley the senior eight training there early in the year. It Captain of DUBC and a gold Furlong. A tribute to him is remain committed to devel- were unlucky in the extreme to was the Ladies’ Boat Club’s medal winner at the World included in this newsletter. His oping the appeal fund over find the Temple Challenge Cup boats which came in for the Championships, who was there contribution on so many fronts the coming year. dominated by three strong worst of the damage, but either with the British lightweight was enormous. And the news Sustaining a regular American crews who proceeded way it was an act of vandalism squad. He came and talked to us came to me only lately of the income stream from the to knock us out and then, one by which has been roundly con- about the rigours of training at passing of Hugh Wilson who Appeal is a critical part of one, each other.