Headcase opened the Irish J24 season with a commanding victory at the 2026 J24 Western Championship in Clew Bay. Fifteen boats raced at Mayo Sailing Club over 9-10 May in the first major Irish event of the year for the growing J24 class. The strong turnout follows Ireland’s successful showing at the 2025 J24 World Championship in Plymouth, where Headcase secured the world title.
Co-owned and crewed by Cillian Dickson, Sam O'Byrne, Ryan Glynn, Marcus Ryan and Louis Mulloy, Headcase topped the Gold Fleet after six races with a net score of six points.
Dock Talk: J24s gather at Mayo Sailing Club before racing in the 2026 Western Championship on Clew Bay. Photo: Joe Corrigan
Saturday delivered difficult conditions, with gusty offshore winds of 20 to 30 knots forcing crews onto small jibs throughout the day. Three races were completed in the demanding breeze and shifting conditions.
Conor Haughton’s Jupiter from Wicklow Sailing Club claimed the opening race win after reading the wind shifts well. Headcase then responded with victories in Races 2 and 3, taking control of the championship. Martin Mahon’s Snoopy’s J posted a second-place finish in Race 3, while Darragh McCormack’s Stouche delivered a steady opening day with consistent top-four finishes.
Podium Plants: Jupiter crew receive oak seedlings after finishing second overall in the Gold Fleet at Clew Bay. Photo: Joe Corrigan
Sunday brought slightly lighter conditions before the breeze strengthened again for the final race. Clew Bay’s flat water and offshore gusts continued to test crews beneath the backdrop of Croagh Patrick.
Headcase sealed the title with wins in Races 4 and 6 and a second place in Race 5. Jupiter finished second overall on 11 points, while Snoopy’s J secured third on 16 points after a strong final day. One of the standout performances came from Mark Usher’s Hedgehog. After discarding an 11th-place finish from Race 1, the crew bounced back to win Race 5 and finish sixth overall.
Wave Winners: The Headcase crew celebrate on the water after sealing victory in the J24 Western Championship. Photo: Joe Corrigan
In the Silver Fleet, Yachtzee, sailed by Dermot Clarke, Fionn McGibney, Diarmuid O'Donovan and Mike O'Dea, claimed the title and finished seventh overall in the combined standings.
The regatta also saw disappointment for Finbarr Ryan’s Jelignite, which suffered rig damage during the opening race and retired from the remainder of the event.
Race Officer Derek Bothwell, assisted by Gaye Bothwell, completed the full six-race schedule from Joe Corrigan’s committee boat Estel. Courses were set off Rosmoney in shifting offshore conditions. Ashore, Mayo Sailing Club hosted visiting crews with seafood on Friday evening and a regatta dinner on Saturday night, catered by The Misunderstood Heron.
At Sunday’s prize-giving overlooking Clew Bay, winners received handcrafted bog oak trophies. Oak seedlings were also presented to the leading crews as a gesture reflecting the event's local character. Brian Raftery of Hung Jury praised the organisers afterwards, saying: “Big thanks to Mayo Sailing Club for a great weekend. Lovely grub, fantastic racing, and I suspect not many cobwebs left now.”
Trophy Moment: Headcase crew with the Gold Fleet trophy after winning the 2026 J24 Western Championship. Photo: Joe Corrigan
The J24 fleet next travels to Lough Ree Yacht Club for the Eastern Championship.
