Colclough, a member of Tribesman Rowing Club, won by 25 votes to 24.

It came after he criticised the organisation a marketing and publicity drive which "could best be described as weak” as it has “failed to attract any significant sponsorship”.

This came despite the sport being Ireland's most successful at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where Gary and Paul O'Donovan won a lightweight double sculls silver. 

At the same meeting, former Ireland team manager Mick O'Callaghan accused the outgoing Board of "disgraceful" behaviour in "driving out" high performance director Morten Espersen earlier this year. 

"It is a great honour to have been elected President of Rowing Ireland," said Colclough, who retired from the army in 2011.

"Our sport is in a good place at present with our high performance athletes performing so well on the international stage. 

"However, there is much work to be done - we have to continue to grow our sport.

"I see rowing as having three components, and they are: high performance, competitive domestic and recreational. 

"I believe all three components have to be resourced, nurtured and developed; it would be folly to neglect any one.

"I am confident that our athletes, coaches and administrators will meet the challenges to come but most of all that they will continue to enjoy the craic of being out on the water."

He will replace Con Cronin, who was forced to reject allegations made in an interjection by O'Callaghan that they had engaged in "spinning" untrue stories against Espersen.

The Danish coach quit his post earlier this year.

Breda Leader remains the organisation's secretary general while Dan Buckley is treasurer.