McMahon’s Sensational Season Honoured at Irish Sailing Awards
Team Headcase Named “Team of the Year” and “Afloat Sailor of the Year”
Olympian and ILCA World Championship Bronze medallist Eve McMahon was named International Sailor of 2025 at the Irish Sailing Awards this evening, Thursday 5 March, at the National Maritime Museum, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
McMahon made history in 2025 when winning Bronze at the ILCA World Championships in Qingdao, China, in May. It was the first time an Irish female sailor had medalled at Senior World Championships and a huge achievement for the Howth sailor. She then followed this with a World Number One in the World Sailing rankings, released on June 10th, the first time any Irish sailor held the top spot.
The double header of “Dubarry Team of the Year” and “Afloat Sailor of the Year” was taken home by Cillian Dickson and Team Headcase following their phenomenal season. 2025 was an outstanding year for the crew and included a J/24 European and World Championship Gold which was then topped off with a win in the Irish Sailing Champions Cup and a World Sailing Nomination for Team of the Year. The Headcase crew are a wonderful example of teamwork, focus, cost effective campaigning and the ambition of a crew drawn from many parts and clubs of Ireland.
With Women in Sport Week taking place and International Women’s Day on 8 March, Irish Sailing is delighted to highlight the strong representation of women among this year’s Irish Sailing Award recipients. Of the 11 individual awards presented, six were awarded to women, reflecting the growing impact and leadership of women across the sport.
The Irish Sailing Foundation Youth Sailor of the Year Award went to Sienna Wright of Howth Yacht Club following her Silver at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and a sixth place at the ILCA Youth World Championships.
The Women on the Water Award was presented to Sheenagh McNamara of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in recognition of the drive and energy she brings to her role as Junior Organiser, where she has played a key role in creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to get on the water.
McMahon was unable to attend the awards ceremony in person as she had already travelled to Palma to begin preparations for the Princess Sofia Regatta, part of the Sailing Grand Slam Series, but had spoken earlier with Pamela Lee.
Reflecting on her incredible year, Eve McMahon expressed gratitude to her support team and sponsors, “I am extremely grateful to Sport Ireland, the Irish Sailing Foundation, my sponsors including the Mater Private Network, as well as my coach Vasilij Zbogar and my teammates within Irish Sailing Performance. 2025 was an incredible year, and I look forward to building on that momentum as the journey continues towards LA2028.”
Cillian Dickson of Headcase was on hand to collect the “Dubarry Perpetual Trophy” for Team of the Year presented by Michael Walsh of Dubarry clothing. Michael also took the time to announce the good news that Dubarry will be extending their partnership with Irish Sailing into the 2026 season.
Tim Bourke, CEO of Irish Sailing said,
“It has been another good year for Irish sailing. Both at home and on the international stage, our sailors continue to punch well above their weight, highlighted by a first world number one ranking, a World Championship medal in an Olympic class, and a World Championship gold in the J/24 class.
Our awards recognise the people who achieve great things but also about the people on the ground and on the water who make our sport function and achievement possible – the club volunteers, officials, parents and organisers.
It is particularly fitting, during Women in Sport Week, that we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Eve McMahon and the further six female winners in our 15 awards.
As we look ahead to the 2026 season, the community of Irish Sailing will continue its grass roots development of training, racing, EDI so as to secure the next generation of sailors and achievements at every level.”
The Irish Sailing Club of the Year award was presented to Malahide Yacht Club, following their hugely successful hosting of the Watersports Inclusion Games. A fully volunteer-led club, Malahide continues to embody the core values of Irish sailing through its commitment to participation and inclusion.
The Irish Sailing President’s Award was given to Norman Kean of the Irish Cruising Club. Norman is a hugely respected Irish cruising sailor and maritime writer with decades of experience sailing the Irish coast.
The inaugural Race Official of the Year award was presented to Michael Conway of the National Yacht Club, a familiar and respected figure on the Irish match racing circuit, known for his professionalism, calm decision-making and consistent support of events.
The Irish Sailing Cruiser of the Year award went to Cormac MacDonncha of Galway Bay Sailing Club, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cruising community on Ireland’s west coast.
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award was awarded to Maeve Robinson and Duncan Lyster of the Royal St George Yacht Club, in recognition of their tireless work championing inclusion and integration within sailing.
The Event of the Year award was presented to Mayo Mayhem, with organiser Malcolm Scott accepting the award on behalf of the Achill Island–based windsurfing competition.
The Volunteer of the Year award, presented by Claire Brennan of the RNLI, was awarded to Nicola Harris of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, while the Instructor of the Year award went to Jane Hunter of Sutton Dinghy Club.
The Class of the Year award was presented to the Fireball Class, recognising its recent strong national growth. School of the Year was awarded to Schull Community College, current Irish Schools Team Racing Champions, for their continued leadership in schools sailing.
The Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year award went to Atlantic Marine Training, based in Greystones.