Olympic Games – Sutton Dinghy Club Representation
Dr. Austin O’Carroll was part of the Sonar team which competed at the 2016 Games in Rio, finishing 11th. The team also comprised of John Twomey, a veteran of 11 Olympic Games and Ian Costelloe. As part of the qualifiers for Rio, the team came 3rd in the ISAF Sailing World-Cup in Weymouth in June 2015 and reached a high of 5th in the world. He has been sailing since the early 80’s including IDRA14 and GP14 dinghies.
Austin is a GP working in Dublins Inner-City and is also the founder of Safetynet, which provides a free primary care service for the homeless and other vulnerable groups.
Feargal Kinsella sailed the 2.4mR single-handed keelboat at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, finishing 15th.
Feargal was a keen sailor when he was injured in 1996. Despite his injury Feargal returned to sailing and competed in the National Disabled Sailing Championships. In 2001 he represented Disabled Sailing at the ISA Helmsmans Championship and crewed by Gillian Guinness & David Cagney won the event sailed at Howth Yacht Club sailed in Squibs. Feargal went on to sail the IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships in Holland and 2.4 Metre World Championship in Sweden before representing Ireland in Athens in 2004.
Through his kids, Feargal was a committee member of Sutton Dinghy Club and a General Committee member in Howth Yacht Club
Dan O’Grady was selected to represent Ireland at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Along with Marshall King and Garret Connolly, he competed in the 3 man Soling class. A 3 year campaign, that included 11 international regattas, culminated in the trio achieving Olympic nomination standard at the European Qualification Regatta in Italy in 1996. With a best result of 3rd in the 10 race series, they placed 16th overall from a fleet of 22.
Dan attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club and Irish sailing.
In 1980 Jamie Wilkinson was selected for his second Olympic Games, in Moscow. Sailed in Talinn, Jamie crewed with local Malahide sailor David Wilkins in the Flying Dutchman class. With 4 second place finishes in the race series, Jamie and David secured Ireland’s first ever Olympic sailing medal when taking Silver behind Spain. Jamie Wilkinson and David Wilkins attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where they were both presented with mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark their momentous achievement.
Barry O’Neill was selected to represent Ireland at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Competing in the Flying Dutchman class, Barry sailed with fellow Sutton Dinghy Club sailor Jamie Wilkinson finishing 19th in a fleet of 25.
Barry attended the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball in November 2014 where he was presented with a mounted commemorative Club burgee to mark his commitment and contribution to Sutton Dinghy Club and Irish sailing.
Jamie Wilkinson was selected to represent Ireland at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Competing in the Flying Dutchman class, Jamie crewed with fellow Sutton Dinghy Club sailor Barry O’Neill finishing 19th in a fleet of 25.
Alf Delany attended his second Olympic Games when he was selected for the 1952 Games in Helsinki, sailed at Liuskasaari. He competed in the Finn Class, with 6 races to count from 7 races sailed, Alf’s best placing was a 4th, finishing 21st of 28 behind eventual winner Paul Elvstrom.
Jem Sullivan was selected to represent Ireland at the 1948 London Olympic Games which were sailed in Torquay, Devon. Jem is recorded on the ISA website as a reserve for the Games, however it appears Jem sailed as crew for Alf Delany in the Swallow class along with Hugh Allen. Jem and Alf regularly sailed together in Dublin Bay and owned many boats together down the years.
Alf Delany was selected to represent Ireland at the 1948 London Olympic Games which were sailed in Torbay, Devon. Competing in the 3 man Swallow Class, with 6 races to count out of 7 raced, Alfs best result was a 5th, finishing in 11th place overall from a fleet of 14. Fellow Sutton Dinghy Club member D St. John ‘Jem’ Sullivan also featured on the Irish team at the 1948 London Games.