Last year, 2020, saw the first cancelation of the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race during peacetime since the race’s inception in 1845. This year, the decision was made to host the 2021 race, with limited spectators, on the River Great Ouse, at Ely – the training base of the Cambridge team. Whilst the spectacle of the race through London city, under Hammersmith Bridge and around the sweeping course, will be dampened – no doubt the importance of a win to the Oxford or Cambridge teams remains the same.
Andrew Goff was among the student athletes last year who missed the opportunity to compete in the 2020 race, having been selected for the Blue Boat. Andrew rowed for Waterford Boat Club and UCDBC. He represented Ireland at World University Championships and is a medalist from the Under 23 World Championships.
In the past, a number of Irish athletes have competed in the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race. Among them, Claire Lambe, our Women in Sport Lead, raced in the winning Cambridge Women’s crew in 2017 and Dominic Burke, our Board Member, raced in Isis for Oxford in 2006.
This year sees 5 athletes with Irish connections among the Oxford and Cambridge squads – vying for their spot in the Blue Boat for this year’s race.
Cambridge Squad
Caoimhe Dempsey – previously Dublin University Ladies Boat Club, Dublin
Calum MacRae – previously Methodist College Belfast Boat Club
Oxford Squad
Conor Keogh – previously Dublin University Boat Club
Shane McCarthy – took up rowing at Oxford
Louis Mahon – previously Dublin University Boat Club
The Boat Race has just launched their first The Boat Race Digital Magazine with lots of great reading for those who are missing all things rowing at this time!
