GP14 Munster Championship 2025 at Cullaun Sailing Club

Des McMahon in the breeze on Saturday during the GP14 Munster Championship 2025 at Cullaun Sailing Club © Hazel McMahon,Luke O'Donnell & Des McMahon

Alan Blay and Hugh in the mix during the GP14 Munster Championship 2025 at Cullaun Sailing Club © Hazel McMahon,Luke O'Donnell & Des McMahon

The 2025 Munster Championship returned to Cullaun Sailing Club, the centre of Munster Sailing and the recent recipients of Irish Sailing's Club of the Year. Cullaun and its small lake is a favorite of the GP14 fleet and this year didn't disappoint the faithful with 26 entries and 25 on the race course.

The Cullaun News, a regular source of GP14 info, hints and tips as well as gossip and inside stories had been active in the weeks before hand encouraging the fleet and especially the emerging Rush contingent who had yet to sample the joys of Cullauns reed beds and of course McArthurs in Tulla on a Saturday night.

Saturday saw a forecast with a mixed bag of conditions with big gusts to 18 knots and nothing less than 8 knots. The PRO David Mullally and his assistant Michael Collins planned for 4 races with 2 for Sunday to ensure all those with 4 and 5 hr return trips got home at a reasonable time.

Th 4 races each, 40 to 50 minutes long with 4 laps saw plenty of thrills and spills. Plenty of near capsizes and full dunkings saw a very tired fleet hit the shore about 5pm with an incredibly tight leader-board. Colman Grimes (Ross Gingles) and Alan Blay (Hugh McNally), both former winners of the Munster Championship were separated by Mr. consistency Keith Louden (Mateo Louden) with only a point separating the 3 of them. Colman with 2 race wins sat top of the leader-board ahead of Keith, one win but all 4 races in top 3 and Alan also taking a win and a couple of top 3 placings as well. Behind them, Curly Morris (Meg Tyrrell) was well pleased and placed considering the conditions with 4 race finishes, 4 top 10s including a 2nd in Race 2. Paddy O' Connor (Richard Street) has the new boat going well and was regularly in the mix near the top.

Recently promoted Emily and Adam Torrens led silver fleet but more than held their own with gold fleet and ended Saturday in the top 5. Also in Silver, Max Cully teaming up this season with Sam Street, placed in top 10 overnight with 3 top 5 finishes. Some crew rearrangements saw Denis Cully with Matthew Street at the pointy end, post some good scores to lead Bronze fleet overnight. These may well be new combinations to watch this season.

Saturday night dinner and refreshments was laid on in the recently opened Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre. A great venue manned by members of the Cullaun Sailing Club led by Commodore Jim O'Sullivan. Further refreshments for the less tired after 4 tough races were taken across the road in the quirky McArthurs Bar with its snugs and sloping floor. Well worth the visit to Cullaun for this alone.

Sunday promised to be more of the same weather wise and the fleet were out on the water by 11 for the final 2 races and what a spectacle. The PRO team decided to change things up and opted for windward leewards. Its a long time since I have seen such close racing. Race 5 saw our 3 leaders battle head to head, the lead changing hands regularly as shifts changed the optimum side of this small lake. 4 rounds made for plenty of turning, with the crew work at a premium it was relentless and often punished with positional changes. Keith Louden took the gun from Alan Blay with Colman in 3rd. Still all to play for going into the final face.

The 6th and final race got under way and again the 3 leaders were to the fore with only Sligo Yacht Club Paddy O'Connor in the mix. The 4 boats were never more than 4 or 5 boat lengths from each other. Again the lead changed hands multiple times with Paddy O'Connor at one point looking like a potential victor till a small shift allowed Colman take the lead on the second last leg and take the gun.

The fleet at a quieter moment during the GP14 Munster Championship 2025 at Cullaun Sailing Club - photo © Hazel McMahon,Luke O'Donnell & Des McMahon

This was important as with Paddy now separating Colman from Keith and Alan it meant Colman Grimes (Ross Gingles) would take the title for a second time. Keith Louden (Mateo Louden) took 2nd with Alan Blay (Hugh McNally) completing the podium places. Paddy O'Connor (Richard Streets) efforts were rewarded by 4th overall.

COlam Grimes & Ross Gingles win the GP14 Munster Championship 2025 at Cullaun Sailing Club - photo © Hazel McMahon,Luke O'Donnell & Des McMahon

The Cullys Max (Sam Street) and Denis (Matthew Street) finished 7 and 8 respectively with Denis Cully taking Bronze fleet prize as he did in the Ulster Championship.

Event organiser, Des McMahon thanked all for making the effort to come to the centre of Munster sailing, as Cullaun Commodore Jim O' Sullivan handed our the prizes. Ther new Munster Champion, Colman Grimes thanked his long time crew Ross Gingles, recognising their first GP14 victory together and the all the other sailors for such a competitive and tight event.

It was another great event, rewarding those who traveled extensive distances to be there and as Class President, I applaud the hospitality and effort from the host Club and its not hard to see why they won Club of the Year at the recent Irish Sailing Awards.

The 'Craftinsure GP14 Leagues' after 2 events sees Skerries Sailing Clubs Colman Grimes lead Lough Foyle Keith Louden but word is Colman will not be around for the Leinster Championship. Blessington Sailing Clubs Max Cully and Sam Street lead silver as Newtownards Emily and Adam are swapping helm duties. Blessington Sailing Clubs Denis Cully and Matthew Street lead Bronze fleet.

Next event is the Leinster Championships in Greystones on July 12/13.

Overall Results: