The 2015 GP14 Championship of Ireland was held in Newtownards Sailing Club over the Northern Ireland Bank Holiday weekend and attracted just under 40 boats.
Fresh from his recent success at the UK GP14 Nationals Shane McCarthy with regular crew Damian Bracken was keen to win a title that had eluded him in recent years. With former Olympian and reigning champion Ger Owens keen to hold onto his title this was set to be an interesting tussle.
Sutton Dinghy Club interest was considerable with no less than 8 crews in attendance. Thanks to the efforts of Hugh Gill, 4 instructor based crews (Sinead Dickson, Conor Twohig, Ryan Sinnott, Nicole Guinee, Graham Blay, Tess Coyne, Eanna Gallagher and Tiaran Dickson) traveled and used borrowed boats.
Also in attendance was Dan & Hugh Gill, Alan Blay & David Johnston and Peter & Stephen Boyle. With Katie Dwyer on holidays, our recently crowned IDRA14 National Champion Alan Henry teamed up with GP14 Youth Open Champion Eanna Molony to make an appearance.
Plenty of wind on Saturday and 2 races completed was followed by no wind on Sunday leaving pressure on the PRO to complete 3 races on the Monday.
The unexpected free Sunday was utilised by a lot of snoozing or the small matter a Dublin Mayo semi-final. On Monday I had the pleasure of accompanying David Co
rkhill from the host Club on the Drone boat as he captured some spectacular footage of the fleet on both startline and around the weather mark. I urge you to check it out below.
Over the 3 days and 5 races, Shane & Damian dominated the event and were duly crowned Champions of Ireland. It is over 60 years since anyone held both the UK and Iris
h GP14 titles and no one deserves it more than Shane for the tremendous effort and hardwork he commits to his racing. Ger Owens finished 2nd with Tom Corcoran 3rd. Best of the Sutton contingent was Dan & Hugh Gill in 7th with Alan Blay & David Johnston 8th. Conor Twohig fresh from a 2nd placing at the Mirror Nationals finished 3rd in Bronze fleet accompanied by Sinead Dickson. 
- Check out Tim Corcorans full event report.
- Check out Final Results
- Photographs by Bob Torrens, Newtownards Chronicle
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