Sailing ace Eve McMahon named UCD’s ‘Sportspersons of the Year’

Posted 20 May, 2024

UCD Ad Astra sailing ace Eve McMahon is UCD’s 2024 ‘Sportspersons of the Year’, receiving the award for her phenomenal success in 2023 which included winning the U21 World Championships and securing a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

The Howth sailor and BComm International student, who was also recently awarded ‘Irish Sailor of the Year’, was named the winner of the ‘Dr Tony O’Neill Sportsperson of the Year’ at this year’s UCD Athletic Union Council (AUC) Sports Awards.

Her first gold medal of 2023, McMahon wrapped up the ICLA U21 World Championships last October after six days of challenging races off the coast of Tangiers, Morocco.

Shortlisted for the 2023 RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year, she capped offer her youth career in 2022 with three Gold medals at a series of world championship races.

McMahon was one of over 400 students from 28 different sports clubs that had their outstanding achievements honoured at the 2024 Sports Awards, which saw several other special awards were presented to UCD clubs and sportspersons.

Among these was the UCD Ladies & Men's Boat Clubs who received the ‘Elite Club of the Year’ award for recognition of their equally outstanding achievements.

_{Paul Flood, UCD Men's Boat Club, Sarah Daly, UCD Ladies Boat Club, winners of the Elite Club of the Year Award, with UCD President Prof Orla Feely (m) Credit: Sportsfile}

The Men’s Club had huge success at the National Rowing Championships, winning four different teams races. 

The Ladies Club have remained unbeaten so far this year, with the club having wins in the London Metropolitan Regatta, Dublin Metropolitan Regatta, Trinity Regatta, as well as many wins across local regattas such as the Neptune and Commercial Regattas. 

The Clubs have also continued to be heavily involved in the ‘Get Going Get Rowing’ programme which gets secondary school students from all backgrounds involved in rowing.

Their members have also been involved in Rowing Ireland's women's rowing initiative at a coaching level, this has resulted in Novice retention drastically improving and an increased number of women in the sport

The 2024 AUC Sports Awards winners: 

• Dr. Tony O'Neill Sportsperson of the Year - Eve McMahon (UCD Sailing)
• Elite Club of the Year - UCD Ladies & Men's Boat Clubs
• Elite Team of the Year - UCD Men's Boat Senior 8+ Crew
• Club Event of the Year    - Sailing Intervarsities
• Club Inclusion Award - UCD Trampoline
• Graduate of the Year - Barry O'Connor (UCD Boat Clubs)
• Varsity Club of the Year - UCD Canoe
• Varsity Team of the Year - UCD Karate Intervarsity Squad
• Gerry Horkan Club Administrator of the Year - Ciara Douglas (UCD Archery)
• David O'Connor Memorial Medal - Aimee Barry (UCD Equestrian)
• Dr. Padraic Conway Memorial Medal - Adam McNally (UCD GAA)

The UCD AUC Sports Awards is an annual event that recognises excellence in student sport, and the 2024 Awards were held at the Astra Hall in the UCD Student Centre.

“This evening provides us with an opportunity to say thanks and congratulations to the UCD sports people who through your achievements have brought prestige and significant honour to their clubs and to the University,” said (opens in a new window)Professor Pat Guiry, President of the UCD Athletic Union Council.

“As well as recognising your individual achievements, it is important also to give credit to the clubs and particularly the volunteers of each club who have administered to the needs of their members throughout the year. The efforts of the clubs and these volunteers are very much appreciated and is a key factor in the success of UCD Sport.”

The ceremony was attended by UCD (opens in a new window)President Professor Orla Feely, who praised the students for their achievements and recognised sport as an integral part of student life. 

By:David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie