Donagh and Foy Joyce Win Munster Optimist Titles

1st July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Ready to Race — Optimist sailors gather around the committee boat during racing at the 2026 Munster Optimist Championships in Dunmore East, where more than 150 young competitors contested the provincial titles Credit: Evelyn McNamara

More than 150 young sailors competed in the 2026 Munster Optimist Championships at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in Dunmore East on 13–14 June. Competitors and their families enjoyed two days of varied racing conditions, excellent race management and a lively social programme hosted by the club.

Saturday brought sunshine, 15–20-knot winds and strong tides, providing a demanding test across the fleets.

The Senior and Junior Main Fleets completed four races, while the Regatta Racing fleet sailed three races outside the harbour. Fresh conditions proved particularly challenging for the Regatta Coached fleet, with many sailors returning ashore early, although those who completed all three races were rewarded for their determination.

Inside Move — Freddy Hofler (IRL 1647, National YC) rounds the mark ahead of Robin Mullett (IRL 1514, RSGYC) during Junior Fleet racing at the 2026 Munster Optimist Championships. Photo: Evelyn McNamara

The championship atmosphere continued ashore on Saturday evening with pizzas, a children's disco and a DJ on the clubhouse balcony.

Sunday's lighter easterly breeze, choppier seas and persistent tidal effects created a different tactical challenge. The Main Fleets completed two further races, the Regatta Racing fleet sailed another three races, and the Regatta Coached fleet finished an impressive eight-race series.

Maeve Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC) claimed the Senior Main Fleet Munster title ahead of Dylan O'Sullivan (RCYC), with Emily Donagh (RSGYC/LDYC) taking third. Local sailor Oscar Rowan (WHSC/RCYC) finished fourth, while George Creighton (MBSC/RCYC/BSC) completed the top five.

Senior Champion — Maeve Donagh receives the Senior Main Fleet trophy after winning the 2026 Munster Optimist Championships at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, Dunmore East. Photo: Evelyn McNamara

Rian Foy Joyce (LRYC/RSGYC) won the Junior Main Fleet title. Oliver Gunderson (SLYC) finished second and Brody Hayes (MBSC/RCYC) was third. Andrew Arthurs (RSGYC/LDYC) placed fourth, with James Weir (WHSC) fifth. Aine Cahill (HYC/SDC) was the first girl in the Junior Main Fleet.

Junior Champion — Rian Foy Joyce receives the Junior Main Fleet trophy after securing the 2026 Munster Optimist Championship title at Dunmore East. Photo: Evelyn McNamara

The Regatta Racing Fleet was won by Will Butler (HYC/AYC), followed by Eva Ryan (MBSC) and Jamie Scallan (MBSC). Heidi Murray (SDC/HYC) finished fourth, while local sailor David Ryan (WHSC) completed the top five.

Regatta Winner — Will Butler celebrates victory in the Regatta Racing Fleet after an impressive performance at the 2026 Munster Optimist Championships. Photo: Evelyn McNamara

Attention now turns to the Leinster Optimist Championships at Howth Yacht Club on 18–19 July, following successful provincial events at Strangford Lough and Dunmore East.

Published in Optimist, Royal Cork YC, Howth YC

Published in Optimist

Tagged under

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

You might also want to read...

2026 IODAI Optimist Calendar

Sprint Series – February–March: 3 single-day events. Details to follow. (Suitable for seasoned main fleet sailors in winter programmes only)
Irish Sailing Youth Nationals, Ballyholme Yacht Club – 9–12 April (Invite only)
Junior and Senior Development Squads Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May Bank Holiday (Squads only)
U12 Training, Lough Ree Yacht Club – 2–4 May (Bank Holiday) (Squad only)
Ulsters, Strangford Lough Yacht Club – 16–17 May (Open)
Munsters, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club – 13–14 June (Open)
Leinsters, Howth Yacht Club – 18–19 July (Open)
=National Team Racing Champs, Royal Cork Yacht Club – 12 August (Open)
National Championships, RCYC – 13–16 August (Open)
Connachts, GBSC – 12–13 September (Open)