Ad Astra sailing ace Eve McMahon named "Rising Star" at Olympic Sport Awards
12 December 2025
UCD Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholar Eve McMahon with her Rising Star Award Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholar Eve McMahon was named "Rising Star" at the (opens in a new window)Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards.
The win for the Howth native comes after an outstanding year for young performance sailor, which saw her win Gold at the LA Sailing Grand Slam and Bronze at the ILCA 6 World Championships in China earlier in the year.
The 22-year-old BComm student is the first ever Irish female sailor to medal at a senior world championship.
Her incredible showing in 2025 also saw her achieve another historic moment for Irish sailing, becoming the first Irish sailor to be named number one spot in the World Sailing rankings.
In 2024, McMahon was one of four UCD students who represented Ireland at the Paris Olympic Games, and was crowned a two-time world champion that year after successfully defending her ILCA6 U21 World title.
(opens in a new window)Speaking to Off The Ball at the Ireland Olympic Sport Awards, she said it was something “very special” for sailing to be recognised at the event.
“The competition tonight was huge and sailing is such a unique and amazing sport… For us to win an award is massive, and it's really nice to see all the hard work pay off. It's really special to be representing sailing here at the awards,” she added.
More than 500 people attended the Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards, with attendees including Ireland’s Sydney Olympians, as well as this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival medallists and athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.
Each winner received the Olly, the Olympic Sport Award Trophy, inspired by the Olympic torch.
Irish Olympians and current and former Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholars Nicola Tuthill, Eve McMahon, Sarah Lavin and Lara Gillespie at the Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
UCD Athletics Club runner Cian McPhillips was nominated for the Male Athlete of the Year Award, while former UCD Ad Astra cyclist Lara Gillespie was runner-up for Female Athlete of the Year.
“[This event is] about recognising the people who give their all for Irish sport,” said Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.
“Our athletes don’t show up once every four years. They train, compete and represent Ireland all year round. Their achievements this year reflect the strength of our high-performance structures, the support of Sport Ireland, and the tireless work of the national federations. The Olly celebrates not just the result, but the commitment and excellence behind it.”
OFI President Lochlann Walsh added: “This has been a massive year for Irish sport, and the standard of performances made this one of the toughest judging processes we’ve had. Every winner, and every nominee, represents the very best of Irish sport.”
The Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholarship programme at University College Dublin supports students who are competing and succeeding at the highest sporting levels.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
