Local sailors Niall O’Brien and Dermot Flaherty claimed the Flying Fifteen Western Championship after a five-race series hosted by Flying Fifteens Connemara at Rossaveel and Carraroe.
The pair, sailing 4092, scored back-to-back wins on Saturday to establish their championship challenge before securing the overall title ahead of Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan (4120). Lee Statham and Andy Paul (4070) completed the overall podium in third.
Podium pursuit — Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan (4120) in action during the Flying Fifteen Western Championships in Connemara, where they secured second overall. Photo: Maria Ui Bhriain
The championship weekend began on Friday evening with a distinctly west of Ireland flavour when visiting Flying Fifteen sailors were invited to race a pair of traditional Galway Hookers.
Light Winds Test Race Team
Saturday morning brought a very different challenge, with a dead-flat race area leaving Race Officer Brian Matthews waiting for sufficient breeze to begin the championship programme. His patience eventually paid off, and Race 1 provided the fleet with an early result before conditions improved.
Fleet fortunes — Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan (4120), who finished second overall, race alongside Bronze Fleet winners Niall Bradshaw and Rory Scullion (3895) at the Flying Fifteen Western Championships in Connemara. Photo: Maria Ui Bhriain
As the breeze settled into better sailing conditions for Races 2 and 3, O’Brien and Flaherty hit their stride, taking consecutive bullets to put themselves firmly in control of the championship.
Podium pace — Andy Paul aboard Flying Fifteen (4070) during the Western Championships in Connemara, where he and Lee Statham secured third overall. Photo: Maria Ui Bhriain
Western duel — Flying Fifteens race in close company during the light-air Western Championships in Connemara, where five races decided the 2026 title. Photo: Maria Ui Bhriain
Conditions began to fade again for Race 4, with Ian Mathews and Keith Poole (4093) taking the victory shortly before the course was shortened.
Final-Race Win for Pierce and Smyth
Following a brief postponement on Sunday morning, a light breeze allowed the fifth and final race to be sailed.
Emma Pierce and Ian Smyth (3892) took the final bullet, a result that also sealed their victory in the Silver Fleet. O’Brien and Flaherty emerged as Western champions, with McCleery and Dougan taking second overall and Statham and Paul third.
Western champions — Niall O’Brien and Dermot Flaherty (4092) celebrate their overall victory at the Flying Fifteen Western Championships prize-giving in Connemara. Photo: Maria Ui Bhriain
Niall Bradshaw and Rory Scullion (3895) won the Bronze Fleet.
The weekend concluded with the prize-giving, where the Ben Mulligan Trophy was presented to TJ Clarke.
The championship also featured a well-supported social programme ashore, including Saturday evening's championship dinner, with Rossaveel and Carraroe providing the setting for the Connemara event.
