Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy honoured at Irish Sailing Awards

Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy honoured at Irish Sailing Awards © Irish Sailing Team

Annalise Murphy, Olympic silver medallist, was honoured at the Irish Sailing Awards today with the presentation of the President's Award to mark the end of her stellar Olympic sailing career.

Presenting the prize, Patrick Coveney, Greencore CEO and outgoing chair of the Irish Sailing Olympic Steering Group commented: "Annalise is perhaps the greatest Irish sailor of all time and has changed the way sailing is seen in this country".

Carlow sailor and Olympian Finn Lynch won the prestigious Sailor of the Year for his silver medal at the ILCA 7 Laser World Championships in Barcelona in November 2021. His result was the best achieved by an Irish sailor in any Olympic discipline and came hot on the heels of his 7th place at the ILCA 7 Laser European Championships in October.

James O'Callaghan, Irish Sailing Performance Director commented: "Finn's progression since his Olympic qualifying disappointment has been phenomenal. He's responded like a true champion winning a World Championship silver medal. The recognition from the Irish sailing community and his status as Irish Sailing Sailor of the year is truly deserved".

Eve McMahon of Howth Yacht Club won Irish Sailing Youth Sailor of the Year for the third year in a row. It was a successful year for the teenager who moved up from the Irish Sailing Academy to officially join the Senior Team at the end of 2021. In July she won gold at the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) Youth World Championships in Italy, followed swiftly by a silver medal at the EURILCA Laser Radial Youth Championships in Croatia. In December she finished in 4th place at the ILCA6 Youth Sailing World Championships in Oman, just missing a medal. Eve is currently studying for her Leaving Cert.

Oysterhaven Centre in Cork took home the popular Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year award, having been nominated as winners of the South Region. The two other nominees were Courtown Sailing Club (East Region winners) and Royal Western YC and Kilrush Marina (winner of the West Region).

The Sustainability Award was won by Malahide Seascouts in Dublin for their innovative Gear Grab scheme. The scouts, who range in age from 12 to 17, set up a kit-sharing system to pass on and reuse pre-loved gear.

Skerries Sailing Club won the Irish Sailing Inclusion Award for their work with Skerries Autism Friendly Town Group to introduce children with additional needs to sailing.

The Leadership Award went to Mary Duffy of Bray Sailing Club, a sailor with no arms who represented Ireland at the Hansa World Sailing Championships and finished in 14th place despite only starting sailing in 2018.

Volunteer of the Year went to Elaine O'Mahoney of Royal Western YC and Kilrush Marina, and Senior Instructor of the Year Award went to Kris Long of Crookhaven Harbour Sailing Club in Cork.