Donal Murphy Award – Jason Armstrong

At the annual dinner in 2024, we were delighted to present the Donall Murphy Prize to a valued member of the club. Given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the club, both on and off the water, the prize is named in honour of John Donall Murphy, an alumnus heavily involved in rowing during his time here. Murphy served as Men’s Captain in the 1954/55 season, introduced the recruitment and training of novice athletes, and continued to contribute to the rowing community through coaching and his support, and has left a legacy both at Queens and in Irish Rowing.

This year, the worthy recipient was Jason Armstrong, Men’s Captain in 2015-16 and is currently a volunteer coach. Congratulations!

How did it feel to be recognized at the dinner this year?

Honestly, I was very surprised. I had always thought this award was reserved for students, so it was never something I had considered. To be recognized by the club in this way really was such a privilege, knowing the past recipients, I count myself amongst good company. Volunteering at Queen’s is a real privilege and keeps me close to the club and sport that I love but it is really the people at the club that keep me coming back, both the athletes and the coaches, it really is such a great environment.

What does the award mean to you?

To me the Donal Murphy award is a by the club, for the club kind of award and represents those individuals that may not be the top athletic performers but are real club folk and are happy to use their time for the betterment of their club and are often seen as the beating heart of the club. Without these people a club cannot truly thrive.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you first got involved in rowing here?

Rowing is very much part of the fabric of the Armstrong family, and many say that when I accepted my offer at Queen’s University, it was a foregone conclusion that I row. I tried to escape my fate by joining other clubs, to no avail. My grandfather rowed in the 50s while studying obstetrics and notably represented Ireland at the Empire games. My mother rowed at Queens in the 80s and 90s, meeting my father there. She was able to make some waves in women’s rowing in Ireland as the first women to compete in the lightweight category. She was also able to represent Ireland in the Commonwealth Games. As many reading as probably aware, my dad’s involvement with Queen’s rowing has been long standing and, in many guises, eventually taking him to the role of Head Coach. He is much of the reason why I am involved with the club again!

I joined as a complete beginner in 2012 when I joined Queens. Despite my father’s best efforts to teach me to row as a child I had no interest in it. If I could go back, I would definitely have convinced myself to take it up sooner. After trying it out I was hooked immediately and immersed myself in the club and training for the next four years.

What made you want to stay connected to the club, even with your full-time job and family commitments

I was absent from the club from about 2016 to 2022, only engaging loosely via social media, the odd Lady Victoria dinner with friends I made at Queen’s. I got involved with the club again after being asked to coach as a volunteer by my dad in the 22/23 season. Why have I stayed? A mixture of things really. The amazing students, coaches and great craic for one, the ability to give back in a meaningful way through coaching I have found to be extremely fulfilling, and probably a sense of reliving the good old days! Obviously, since the arrival of my son I have had to balance my contributions somewhat, but when something is worth doing you find a way to make it work.

Are there any memories that you particularly cherish, both from when you were a student, and in recent years?

Too many memories to mention, many of which are probably not for the socials either….. The key experiences for me include:

#1 I met my wife

At the end of my first year, I meet the woman that would go on to be my wife. She said to me she spotted me on her first day at the club and thought I looked cute and the rest is history (this was in 2015 at the afterparty of the annual rowing dinner, the year we were banned from the boathouse…)

#2 Competing

Through my rowing achievements sit firmly below what my parents and grandparents achieved they are still achievements I am proud of. Some of note during my short time rowing I was able to win Irish National Championships in the Beginner Coxed 4 category. I competed (unsuccessfully) at Henly Royal Regatta which was an amazing experience to be a part of. I won gold at the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships in the lightweight under 23 category. I won two bronze medals at BUCS Regatta in the Senior Lightweight Category in the 4- and 8+.

#3 Friends for life

Due to the full-on nature of the sport and the time you all spend grafting alongside one another in training and competition you build very strong friendships. I still hold close friendships with many of my crewmates having attended weddings, funerals and traveled across the world to see each other. We all still meet as often as we can. Many of the people my parents rowed and competed with are still close friends and I grew up going to their homes and meeting them and their children long after they all stopped rowing.

#4 Continuing the tradition

Struggled to name this one. What I mean here is that I have found it special to be part of something which has so much history in my family’s life and have immensely enjoyed being able to share that with them and it is something I would like to be able to share with my own son when the time comes. The below photo is from my final year where I was nominated as captain of the rowing club which added my name to the board alongside my father. My grandfather was vice-captain but very responsibly he prioritised his studies instead trying to go for captain!

#5 Contributing to the success of others

I genuinely cherish the opportunity coaching gives me to work alongside my dad coaching the current generation of students and supporting them to achieve their potential in the sport that gave so much to me.

Finally, to sum up Queen’s rowing in one work, what would it be and why?

GOAT, need I say more?

Written by Jess Knibbs