Damien Kelly was elected Club Captain in 2014. Leading by example, Damien was among the flotilla of small boats who competed with distinction during the year. He ensured that we were well represented at the Championships in the Women’s Club VIII, Men’s Intermediate IV and a variety of small boats.

A native of Cork, Daire MacEoin was elected Club Captain in 2013. Daire was undeterred by the lack of Garda recruitment and the subsequent lack of new members joining the Club. He played a pivotal role in ensuring that that Garda oarsmen and women continued to take to the water and to keep the flag flying.

Having previously rowed in his native Cork, Diarmuid O ‘Donovan was a member of our Novice VIII Championship winning crew of 2002. Following success at Novice level, Diarmuid competed with our Senior Crew at a number of notable events, including Marlow Regatta and the Head of the Charles in Boston. Diarmuid was elected Captain in 2011 a position he retained in 2012.

Liam Tobin joined the Garda Boat Club in 1998 and his Novice Crew were unlucky to miss out on a Championship. He was a member of our Intermediate IV who captured the National Championship in 2001. Liam then rowed at senior level for a number of years before he was elected as Club Captain in 2009 and 2010.

Brian Hoey joined the Garda Boat Club in 1997 and was a member of our Intermediate IV who won a National Championship in 2001. Brian then rowed at senior level for a number of years before he was elected as Club Captain in 2006 a position he retained in 2007 & 2008. He led our Intermediate IV to National success in 2007. Brian is the current Club Treasurer and has also made the transition to coach and is actively involved in training the next   generation of oarsmen and women.

Ger Meally joined the Garda Boat Club in 1999 and was a member of our Intermediate Crew who won an Irish Championship in 2001. Having rowed at Senior level for a number of years, Ger was elected Club Captain in 2005.

Graham Tolan joined the Garda Boat Club in 1994 and was a member of our Intermediate Championship winning VIII of 1997 and Senior Championship winning VIII of 2000. He served as the Coiste Siamsa Rowing Representative and Club Secretary for a number of years and in 2010, together with Martin Mulligan, he co-wrote a book detailing the history of the Club.

Having previously rowed in his native Limerick, Ken McDonald won an Intermediate VIII Championship in 1997 and a Senior VIII Championship in 2000. Ken was elected Club Captain in 2002 and led our Novice VIII & IV to success at the National Championships.

Cathal Brennan joined the Garda Boat Club in 1993. He was a member of our Intermediate Championship winning crew of 1997 and rowed with our Senior Crew for a number of years. Cathal was elected Club Captain in 2001 and led our Intermediate IV to success at the National Championships.

John Dillon was a member of our Novice IV Championship winning crew of 1995, Intermediate VIII winning crew of 1997 and rowed with our senior Crew for a number of years. He was elected Club Captain in 2000 and led our Senior Crew to the semi-finals at Henley Royal Regatta and to success at the Senior VIII Championship.

Graham Tolan joined the Garda Boat Club in 1994 and was a member of our Intermediate Championship winning VIII of 1997 and Senior Championship winning VIII of 2000. He served as the Coiste Siamsa Rowing Representative and Club Secretary for a number of years and in 2010, together with Martin Mulligan, he co-wrote a book detailing the history of the Club.

Ciaran Hoey joined the Garda Boat Club in 1991 and was a member of our Novice VIII Championship winning crew of 1991, Intermediate VIII Championship winning crew of 1997 and Senior VIII Championship winning crew of 2000. Ciaran served on the Committee for a number of years and also held the position of Treasurer.

Mick Kearney joined the Garda Boat Club in 1975 and was a member of our Novice VIII Championship winning crew of 1976. Mick rowed with our Intermediate and Senior Crews and worked tirelessly on the Club Committee. He was Club Captain during a time of regeneration and after a prolonged period of absence he led our Intermediate VIII to Henley Royal Regatta and to success at the National Championships in 1997.

Denis Murphy started his rowing career in 1978 by stroking the Garda Novice VIII to victory at the National Championships. In 1979, he was a member of the Senior Crew who finished 5th at the London Head of the River before returning to Ireland to capture the Intermediate and Senior VIII Championship titles. Senior VIII titles followed again in 1982 and 1983. Denis also won Senior IV Championships in ’82, ’83 & ’84 and together with Willie Ryan he won a Coxless Pair Championship in 1981. Denis had an illustrious international career with many highlights including finishing tenth at the World Championships and finalist in the Ladies Plate at Henley in 1982. Denis had the distinction of Captaining the Club on four occasions in ’83, ’86, ’87 & ’93.

Gay McGrath was a member of our Novice VIII & IV Championship winning crew of 1983 and graduated to row with our Senior Crew for a number of years. Gay had a long association with the Club Committee and was elected Captain in 1991 and 1992. During his tenure he led our Novice VIII to success at the National Championship.

Pat Gannon joined the Garda boat Club in October 1978. By the end of his first rowing season Pat had been a member of Garda Crews that finished 5th at the London Head of the River, second at Salzgitter International Regatta, won the Prince Philip at Henley Royal Regatta, won the Irish Senior VIII Championship and finished 7th in the Coxed IV at the World Championships in Yugoslavia. Pat added National titles in VIIIs in ’82 & ’83 and titles in IVs in ’82, ’83 & ’84. Together with Willie Ryan, Pat won the Petite Final in the Coxless Pair at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980. He was also a member of the Garda IV which finished 10th at the World Championships in Lucenrne in 1982.

Brendan Duane was first introduced to the sport of rowing in 1959 and was a member of the unbeaten Garda Maiden Crew that won three Championships ? Maiden, Junior and Inter-Provincial ? in 1959, before going on to win a Senior VIII Championship in 1966. He coached Garda Crews from 1970 to 2013 including thirteen Novice, five Intermediate and seven Irish Senior Championship VIII winning crews. On the international stage Brendan coached the Garda Elite Crews of the 1970s that recorded victories at Henley Royal Regatta and competed at World Championships. Brendan is a double Olympian having coached the Garda Coxed IV that finished in 7th place in Montreal in 1976, and our Coxless Pair who also finished in 7th in Moscow in 1980. Brendan Duane was Club Captain in 1971, 1972 & 1988.

Denis Murphy started his rowing career in 1978 by stroking the Garda Novice VIII to victory at the National Championships. In 1979, he was a member of the Senior Crew who finished 5th at the London Head of the River before returning to Ireland to capture the Intermediate and Senior VIII Championship titles. Senior VIII titles followed again in 1982 and 1983. Denis also won Senior IV Championships in ’82, ’83 & ’84 and together with Willie Ryan he won a Coxless Pair Championship in 1981. Denis had an illustrious international career with many highlights including finishing tenth at the World Championships and finalist in the Ladies Plate at Henley in 1982. Denis had the distinction of Captaining the Club on four occasions in ’83, ’86, ’87 & ’93.

Mick Desmond was a member of our Novice Championship winning VIII of 1979. He went on to coach a number of crews including our Novice Squad in 1983 who recorded victories in VIII & IV at the National Championships. Mick was elected Club Captain in 1985 and led our elite VIII to the final of the Ladies Plate at Henley Royal Regatta only to lose out to Leander by the narrowest of margins.

Having joined the Garda Boat Club in 1973 Willie Ryan won the first of his six Irish Senior VIII Championship titles in 1974. He was a member of the all conquering Garda Elite VIII who won the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1975 and the Garda Elite IV that captured the Prince Philip Cup in ’77 & ’79. Willie is a double Olympian having finished seventh in the Coxed IVs at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 and seventh in the Coxless Pairs at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. He was Club Captain in 1982 & ’84 and served as Club President from 2011 to 2013. Having retired from An Garda Síochána he continues his life long association with the Club and can be found on the river bank coaching the next generation of Garda oarsmen.

Denis Murphy started his rowing career in 1978 by stroking the Garda Novice VIII to victory at the National Championships. In 1979, he was a member of the Senior Crew who finished 5th at the London Head of the River before returning to Ireland to capture the Intermediate and Senior VIII Championship titles. Senior VIII titles followed again in 1982 and 1983. Denis also won Senior IV Championships in ’82, ’83 & ’84 and together with Willie Ryan he won a Coxless Pair Championship in 1981. Denis had an illustrious international career with many highlights including finishing tenth at the World Championships and finalist in the Ladies Plate at Henley in 1982. Denis had the distinction of Captaining the Club on four occasions in ’83, ’86, ’87 & ’93.

Having joined the Garda Boat Club in 1973 Willie Ryan won the first of his six Irish Senior VIII Championship titles in 1974. He was a member of the all conquering Garda Elite VIII who won the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1975 and the Garda Elite IV that captured the Prince Philip Cup in ’77 & ’79. Willie is a double Olympian having finished seventh in the Coxed IVs at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 and seventh in the Coxless Pairs at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. He was Club Captain in 1982 & ’84 and served as Club President from 2011 to 2013. Having retired from An Garda Síochána he continues his life long association with the Club and can be found on the river bank coaching the next generation of Garda oarsmen.

John Fahy was a member of our Irish Maiden VIII Championship Winning Crew of 1971, Junior Championship Winning Crew of 1972 and won the first of his four Senior VIII Championships in 1974. As a member of the Garda Elite VIII, he won a Thames Challenge Cup medal at Henley Royal Regatta in 1975 and competed in the ‘Grand’ in 1977. Over the years john coached a number of crews to success and Captained the Club for three years, 1979, 1980 & 1981. Under his stewardship we completed a Grand Slam, winning the Irish Novice, Intermediate and Senior VIII Championships and our Elite coxed IV won the Prince Philip at Henley in 1979; and a number of Garda Oarsmen competed at Moscow Olympic Games in 1980.

Bill Somers joined the Garda Boat Club in 1962 and was a member of our Junior VIII Championship Winning Crews of 1963 & 1964. Bill was Club Captain in 1976, 1977 & 1978 and led the Club to success on domestic and international waters. During his tenure some of the notable results included victories at Duisburg and Lucerne in the Elite Coxed IV, before going on to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976; success at  Henley Royal Regatta in 1977, where we won the Prince Philip Challenge Cup for Elite IVs and were narrowly beaten in the semi-final of the ‘Grand’; a seventh place for our Elite IV at the World Championships in Amsterdam in 1977; and a fifth place in the ‘Grand Final’ of the World Championships for Willie Ryan and Christy O’Brien in New Zealand in 1978

Sean Kavanagh won an Irish Maiden VIII Championship in 1964 and a year later in 1965, as a member of the Garda Junior VIII, he won the Irish Junior VIII Championship before winning the Irish Senior VIII Championship title a month later. Having capturing the Club’s first Senior Championship, the season ended on a tragic note when Sean was seriously injured in a car accident while travelling to Carrick-on-Shannon Regatta. Sean’s indomitable spirit shone through and he immersed himself in the administration side of the Club and it is no coincidence that the Club enjoyed great success in 1973 under his stewardship as Captain. This was a position he retained in 1975 when he led the Garda Senior VIII to international success when they won the Thames Challenge Cup at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta. Sean also played a key role as Secretary on the Metropolitan Regatta Committee in the 1970s, during this period the Regatta thrived accepting top class entries from near and far.

Brian lynch joined the Garda Boat Club in 1969 and having rowed with our Maiden Crew he quickly graduated to our Senior Squad. Brian coached our Maiden Crew in 1973 and was elected Club Captain in 1974. Brian led our Senior VIII to the semi-final in the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley, before returning to Ireland to win the Senior Championship and to international waters when they represented Ireland at the Home International event in Wales.

Sean Kavanagh won an Irish Maiden VIII Championship in 1964 and a year later in 1965, as a member of the Garda Junior VIII, he won the Irish Junior VIII Championship before winning the Irish Senior VIII Championship title a month later. Having capturing the Club’s first Senior Championship, the season ended on a tragic note when Sean was seriously injured in a car accident while travelling to Carrick-on-Shannon Regatta. Sean’s indomitable spirit shone through and he immersed himself in the administration side of the Club and it is no coincidence that the Club enjoyed great success in 1973 under his stewardship as Captain. This was a position he retained in 1975 when he led the Garda Senior VIII to international success when they won the Thames Challenge Cup at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta. Sean also played a key role as Secretary on the Metropolitan Regatta Committee in the 1970s, during this period the Regatta thrived accepting top class entries from near and far.

Brendan Duane was first introduced to the sport of rowing in 1959 and was a member of the unbeaten Garda Maiden Crew that won three Championships ? Maiden, Junior and Inter-Provincial ? in 1959, before going on to win a Senior VIII Championship in 1966. He coached Garda Crews from 1970 to 2013 including thirteen Novice, five Intermediate and seven Irish Senior Championship VIII winning crews. On the international stage Brendan coached the Garda Elite Crews of the 1970s that recorded victories at Henley Royal Regatta and competed at World Championships. Brendan is a double Olympian having coached the Garda Coxed IV that finished in 7^th place in Montreal in 1976, and our Coxless Pair who also finished in 7^th in Moscow in 1980. Brendan Duane was Club Captain in 1971, 1972 & 1988.

Pat Duffy joined the Garda Boat Club in 1963 and won a Junior VIII Championship in 1964 and a Senior VIII Championship in 1966. He coached our Maiden Crew to success in 1968 and was elected Captain in 1970.  His tenure was a time of regeneration which witnessed the introduction of a new crop of oarsmen to the Club and he led our Junior IV  to Championship success at Askeaton Regatta.

John McElligott was a member of our Irish Maiden VIII Championship Winning Crew of 1966 and Junior Championship wining Crew of 1967. He was elected Club Captain in 1969 and was at the helm when our Senior Crew recorded a notable eleventh place finish at the London Head of the River. We won the Junior VIII and IV Championships and our Senior IV won the Blue Riband at Metropolitan Regatta and were selected to represent Ireland at the Home Countries International Regatta in Monmouth.

Peter O’Connor joined the Garda Boat Club in 1961 and soon progressed to rowing with our Senior Crew. He served as Honorary Treasurer for a number of years and coached our victorious Maiden VIII Crew in 1966. Peter held the position of Club Captain in 1968. During his tenure we recorded numerous victories, including five senior events at Trinity Regatta. Our Senior Crew won the VIII’s Championship and the Blue Riband and went on to be selected to row for Ireland at the International Quadrangular Match. We capped a marvellous year by winning the Maiden VIII Championship.

A native of Williamstown, Co. Galway, John Mee joined An Garda Síochána in 1956 and reached the rank of Superintendent. He was introduced to rowing in 1960 and was a member of our Junior VIII Championship winning crew in 1961 and quickly graduated to our Senior Crew. John had the distinction of serving as Captain, Secretary and Treasurer of the Club. He was a former Chairman of Dublin Metropolitan Regatta Council and rowing representative on Coiste Siamsa for many years. He served as Club President from 1994 until 1998.

John O’Neill joined the Garda Boat Club in 1963 and was a member of our Junior Crew that captured the Irish Junior VIII Championship in 1964. John was elected Captain in 1966 and led the Club to unprecedented success when we became the first club in the history of Irish rowing to win the ‘Grand Slam’, recording victories in Maiden, Junior and Senior VIII Championships. We also added the Junior IV Championship for good measure.

Pat Clavin joined the Garda Boat Club in 1960 and was a member of the famous crew that won the Irish Maiden VIII Championship in 1960 with seven men. He added a Junior VIII Championship title in 1961 and rowed at senior level for a number of years. Pat had the distinction of being Club Captain in 1965 when we had first taste of success in the preliminary rounds at the World renowned Henley Royal Regatta. We also scooped the Junior VIII and IV Championships and at long last we captured the Senior VIII Championship Trophy at Blessington Lakes.

As a member of the first Garda Crew, Gerry McDonagh won an Irish intermediate VIII Championship in 1955 & 1956. Having graduated to the Senior Crew, he travelled to the London H.O.R. in ‘57, Henley Royal regatta in ‘58 and Germany in ‘59. He used the valuable experience he gained to Captain the Club for two years in 1963 & 1964. During this time we regained the Junior VIII Championship in 1963 and finished the 1964 season on a high note with success at the Maiden VIII and the Junior VIII and IV Championships.

John Hickson took over at the helm as Club Captain for the 1962 rowing season. John was a member of our Irish Maiden VIII Championship Winning Crew of 1956 and Junior VIII Championship Winning Crew of 1957. Unfortunately his hard work was not rewarded with silverware and we finished a close second at the Irish Senior VIII Championship at Coleraine

A native of Cootehall, Co. Roscommon, Jim Maguire was first introduced to the sport of rowing in 1950 with Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club before joining Neptune in 1953. Jim had the honour of being the first Captain of the Garda Boat Club and held the position from 1954 to 1961. There is no doubt that the Club’s success in those first tentative years was down to the dedication and hard work of Jim Maguire who put so much time and effort into getting the Club ‘off the ground’. Looking back at the end of his tenure he said:

In all, I had the honour and privilege of being Captain from 1954 to 1961 and I enjoyed every day of it, particularly because of the quality of the people involved, both those who rowed and those who gave their unstinting support in every way from the sidelines