ROWING: UCD took three of the four titles on offer at a lively set of Colours Races in Dublin today. Trinity’s novice women denied the college a second consecutive clean sweep in perfect conditions.

In the men’s senior race, the Gannon Cup, Trinity took a surprise early lead. The bigger UCD eight reeled them in and as the crews passed the Four Courts, UCD had taken a lead they were not to lose. This gave Turlough Hughes of UCD a win over his twin brother Patrick, who rowed for Trinity.

The Corcoran Cup for senior women saw UCD lead all the way, though Trinity exerted serious pressure in the closing stages.

The two novice races were notable for different reasons. In the men’s race, UCD got off to an astounding start and won much as they liked. The women’s was the best contest of the day. Leaders UCD could not hold off the late surge of Trinity, who won by over a length.

Colours Races 2012

Senior Men (Gannon Cup): UCD bt Trinity  1l

Novice Men (Dan Quinn Shield): UCD bt Trinity distance

Senior Women (Corcoran Cup): UCD bt Trinity 1¼ l

Novice Women: Trinity bt UCD 1¼ l

Twin brothers Turlough and Patrick Hughes (20) will vie for dominance in the Gannon Cup, the annual colours race between Trinity and UCD, on the Liffey on Bank Holiday Monday. UCD, who will be seeking their fifth consecutive Gannon, will be stroked by Turlough Hughes, while Patrick will be in the five seat in the Trinity boat. UCD’s Dave Neale will be seeking his fifth Gannon Cup title.

Trinity’s women’s eight, winner of two of the last three Corcoran Cups, have experience in their crew for Monday. Sinead Rodger and Keira Buttanshaw compete in their second Corcoran Cup; Susannah Cass her third and Caitlin Condon, an American, her fourth. UCD Ladies Boat Club have yet to announce their crew.

Mark Pollock, the adventurer who competed in the Gannon in 1995, 1996 and 1997 – and won all three - will be the guest of honour at the event. Pollock has shown tremendous fortitude in taking on blindness and then, separately, paralysis sustained in a fall.

Men’s Senior Eight (Gannon Cup)

UCD: Vincent Manning, Emmett Feeley, Simon Craven, Conor Walsh, Gearoid Duane, Dave Neale, Finbar Manning, Turlough Hughes; cox: Hannah Fenlon.

Trinity: P Mannix, AJ Rawlinson, Will Hurley, Charlie Landale, Patrick Hughes, Paul Flaherty, Ian Kelly, Danny Ryan; cox: Maeve Crockett.

Women’s Senior Eight (Corcoran Cup)

Trinity: Rebecca Dowling, Sinead Rodger, Keira Buttanshaw, Suzanne Daniels, Susannah Cass, Rebecca Deasy, Caitlin Condon, Ruth Morris; cox: Naomi O’Sullivan.

Monday’s Programme: 8:30 Sally Moorhead Trophy (Novice Women). 9:00 Dan Quinn Shield (Novice Men). 9:30 Corcoran Cup (Senior Women). 10:00 Gannon Cup (Senior Men)