Royal Cork's O'Leary Retains All Ireland Title in Style

4th October 2015

Winning in style – Anthony O'Leary, Dan O'Grady and Cian Guilfoyle lead at the top mark in one of today's four final races of the All Ireland Sailing Championships at Dun Laoghaire. More photos below Credit: Afloat.ie

The defending All Ireland Sailing Champions Anthony O'Leary with crew Dan O'Grady and Cian Guilfoyle were winners again but this year by a clear margin of five points after two days of competition on Dublin Bay.

Counting two wins and two second places in the supplied J/80 sportsboat fleet, the Commodore's Cup champion from Royal Cork beat fellow Cork Harbour sailor Alex Barry of Monkstown Bay and Royal Cork who was runner up on 11 points. See full results sheet below.

Not only does today's give Royal Cork a one–two in the senior competition but the Munster club also won the Junior Helmsmans title a fortnight ago too.

Third today was Howth's ICRA representative Cillian Dickson on 12 points. The ISA event was hosted by the National Yacht Club.

'We definitely sailed better this year than last' O'Leary told reporters on coming ashore.

But O'Leary didn't have it all his own way early on. As the south-easterly breeze built at mid-day O'Leary led the first race but RS400 rep Barry stayed within striking distance and at the finish line the MBSC sailor took the advantage by a boat length, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the 2015 All Irelands.

Anthony O'Leary's sons Peter and Nicholas have also won the ISA championship a number of times (in both the 1720 and J/80 sportsboat classes) bringing the O'Leary family total to seven of the last ten championships.

All Ireland sailing 2015 7 After a series of light air qualifiers on Saturday, Sunday brought more breeze for the eight finalists

All Ireland sailing 2015

The start of race two – O'Leary (5) to leeward with a second or two to go

All Ireland sailing 2015 6

(Above) Anthony O'Leary with crew Dan O'Grady and Cian Guilfoyle in winning form in race two and (below) setting up for race three. Time between races was at a premium with competitors having only minutes to prepare in a rapid fire final.

Anthony O'Leary with crew Dan O'Grady and Cian Guilfoyle

All Ireland sailing 2015 5

Sailing with four up, Howth's ICRA representative Cillian Dickson was third overall. Diana Kissane (pictured above), crewing for Dickson was the only female in the top three crews. Diana will sail in the women's match racing grand final at the end of October.

All Ireland sailing 2015 2 On the water judging was a feature of the All Ireland's on Dublin Bay

All Ireland sailing 2015 4 Roy Darrer from Waterford harbour SC was fourth

2015 ISA All Ireland Sailing Championships Results

all irelands overall 2015

2015 All Ireland photo gallery HERE

Published in All Irelands

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