Two long-standing members of Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) have been presented with the annual Hannan trophy for their outstanding services to the Co Galway club.
Dave Cahill and Tom McHale were presented with the trophy by current commodore Eoin Ó Conghaíle in recognition of their “sár obair” to secure two new rigid inflatable boats (RIBs).
Ó Conghaíle said the two RIBS were vital assets to secure safe sailing from An Spidéal in Co Galway for years to come.
Cahill and McHale, both active sailors and past commodore and committee members, managed the new RIB project from commissioning to delivery in 2023.
The John and Stephanie Hannan Award, which was commissioned by Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) in 2020, is an annual prize in memory of the late John Hannan.
The presentation was made at the club’s 2023 winter gathering, when the 2022 Hannan trophy winner, offshore sailor Cathal Mahon, was also present to congratulate Cahill and McHale.
Mahon, an award-winning 420 dinghy sailor with Rob Talbot at CSS, is now competing offshore.
Both Mahon (skipper) and Talbot (bow) were part of the Galway Bay youth crew that sailed the Green Dragon to line honours runners-up and second in class zero in the 2022 Round Ireland Yacht Race.
Mahon has just completed the RORC Transatlantic from Lanzarote to Grenada, and is currently preparing for the Caribbean 600 which starts in mid February.
CSS, founded in 2002, has no clubhouse, but was dubbed the "coolest place to sail" by Irish Olympic contestant Sean Waddilove.