#Last night's Heineken Super League Prize Giving 2013 was yet another splendid evening enjoyed by a capacity attendance at the Royal Cork Yacht Club writes Claire Bateman.. It promised to be a night of good food, and bonhomie with the climax of the presentation of trophies and other prizes by the score.
At the end of the outstanding meal and with everybody feeling relaxed and very happy judging from the sounds of conversation and laughter, it was time for the big moment of the evening.
Once more Ronan Enright, Rear Admiral Keelboats, stepped into the limelight to organise the handing out of the prizes. This commenced with the prize giving for the Leagues throughout the summer season. First on the list was the Marshall Marine Tetiles April League sponsored by Richard Marshall. Next came the UK Halsey Sailmakers May League sponsored by Des and Sue McWilliam. June saw the Union Chandlery League sponsored by John and Maeve Wallace followed by Airport View Parking July/August/September League sponsored by John and Rose Donnery and finally Marshall Marine Textiles White Sail Summer league sponsored by Lianne and Richard Marshall. In this league Peter Webster enjoyed four wins out of twenty one races and of the same twenty one races there were fourteen different winners.
Next it was the turn of the Heineken Super League prizes to be handed out and our genial Admiral Peter Deasy stepped up to the mark for this pleasant task. The recipients of their prizes received very nice white bags bulging with club merchandise but we did not see what was in the bags. However, awe have no doubt they contained some very smart items indeed. Also in the Super League were The Phelans trophies for both IRC and ECHO and these lovely items were won by Frank Doyle in Endgame.
On then to the mouth watering Trophies, quite a few of which have to be retained in the club for security purposes but at least the winners can enjoy their photographs holding them as these are very old, prestigious and valuable items.
MAY
IRC WS : Atlantic Fleet Galleon Trophy: Batt O'Leary, Sweet Dreams
IRC Class 3: Clytie Cup Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, An tOiléanach
IRC Class2: Harold Cudmore Trophy: Bad Company, Desmond/Ivers/Deasy
IRC Class 1: H.Harling Hayes Trophy: Conor and Denise Phelan, Jump Juice
JUNE
IRC Class 3: Bayona Trophy: Kieran O'Connell/Graham Marron, Bandit
IRC Class 2: Hugh Smith Barry Trophy: Len Donnery, No Gnomes
IRC Class 1: Sans Souci Trophy: Ian Nagle, Jelly Baby
JULY
WS First Sloop Flotilla Trophy: Bryan Heffernan, Aisling
Class 3: Camden Challenge Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, AntOiléanach
Class 2: Belleville Cup Trophy: Clem and Wendy McElligott, Sea Hawk
Class 1: H.Howard Gould Trophy: Derry and Hilda Good, Exhale
JULY
WS Admiral Doyle Plate Trophy: Peter Webster, Thistle
Class 3: Muckley Trophy: David Lane/Sinead Enright, An tOiléanach
Class 2: Smelter Valley Trophy: Desmond/Ivers/Deasy, Bad Company
Class 1: Breffni McGovern Trophy: Derry and Hilda Good, Exhale
The presentation of the eagerly awaited and most coveted trophies then took place:
The Martin McDonnell Trophy was presented by Julianne McDonnell to Mark Reardon as skipper of the yacht which contributed most to the spirit and enjoyment of white sail racing.
The Doyle Family Trophy for the beset overseas performance was presented by Ingrid Doyle to David Kenefick for his outstanding achievements in the French Professional offshore solo sailing circuit, his participation in La Solitaire du Figaro, the Fastnet two handed race the Generali Solo and best Rookie of the year.
The final trophy was for Boat of the Year and the winner was Antix, Anthony O'Leary for his Class Zero win at ICRA and his 1720 National Championship win plus his participation representing RCYC at the NYYC Rolex Invitational.
Finally, Admiral Peter Deasy on behalf of the club accepted a presentation of a framed photograph from David Kenefick representing David's outstanding achievements for the season to date.
David then spoke of his 24 year old friend Nathan Kirwan, who is well known to many members of the RCYC. Nathan suffered a broken neck earlier this year and is making progress that could never have been envisaged without his great fighting spirit that has kept him going. Indeed it was only yesterday that David's brother George and others had got Nathan out in a RIB to watch the racing in Dublin. Nathan is due to leave the National Rehabilitation Centre, Dunlaoghaire, next Saturday to go to Barcelona for further specialised treatment and hopes are high for major further advances in his recovery. A novel feature of the RCYC Autumn League just gone by was the introduction of an excellent idea to raise further funds for the Nathan Kirwan Trust and to this end each boat skipper was given an envelope for voluntary contributions from crews. This resulted in the magnificent sum of €4000.00 being raised for the Nathan Kirwan Trust and reflects a great spirit of generosity and well being towards Nathan on behalf of all those who contributed.
