Champions of Irish Motorsport 2024 - Award winners announced
Motorsport Ireland's award winners were announced today at their annual ceremony. Young drivers from Cavan, Wicklow, and Offaly won three of the sport’s most prestigious honours, while volunteers and past competitors were also recognised.
Cavan’s Craig Rahill (21) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while 23-year-old Wicklow native Max Hart was named Young Racing Driver of the Year, at today’s award ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin. Both drivers will receive up to €50,000 in funding and support for the development of their careers during the 2025 season, with Rahill receiving continued support from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. The International Driver of the Year award went to McLaren Racing Junior Driver, Alex Dunne.
The event, to celebrate the success of the most talented drivers in Irish Motorsport in 2024, was hosted by RTÉ’s John Kenny and saw more than 30 trophies were presented at the ceremony to Irish drivers competing both domestically and internationally.
The Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year was won by 21-year-old Craig Rahill, who hails from Drung, Co. Cavan. He was nominated for his success in this year’s Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series, Triton Showers National Tarmac Rally Championship and Sligo Pallets National Forest Rally Championship where he dominated all three Championships in his Ford Fiesta Rally4. Rahill faced stiff competition during the selection process for the award as he fended off a number of other great young drivers to take top spot in what is sure to be one of the most competitive years for this prestigious award to date. As part of the award, Rahill will receive support to the value of up to €50,000 from Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland for the 2025 season as well as a up to further €50,000 has been pledged by the Team Ireland Foundation thanks to support from John Coyne.
Craig Rahill:
“It’s a true honour to be standing up here. I have to thank my family first of all, without them, I wouldn’t have got into the sport. I have to thank the main man, My Co-Driver, Conor Smith. A thanks to the MIRally Academy and all my sponsors. To have my name on this trophy is unbelievable. I won’t wait this opportunity, the best is yet to come.”
The Sexton Trophy for Young Racing Driver of the Year was awarded to 23-year-old Max Hart, from Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Hart has won the award after being nominated five times in the past. He enjoyed a great season in the highly competitive TCR Asia Series, finishing 3rd overall in the championship and taking six podiums. He also made his FIA World TCR debut in Macau in 2024, setting the fastest lap in race two. As part of the award, Hart will also receive support to the value of €50,000 for the 2025 season.
Max Hart:
“I’m absolutely over the moon. Delighted to finally get my name on that trophy after being nominated five times. I have to thank my sponsors for all their support during the years. And of course my family, they push me to do things I didn’t think were possible. We hope to continue with Hyundai with next year and see what tue future holds.”
The Manley Memorial Trophy for the International Driver of the Year went to McLaren Racing Junior Driver Alex Dunne, from Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. Dunne, who is a former winner of the Sexton Trophy Young Racing Driver of the Year, has been competing in the FIA Formula 3 Series this year for MP Motorsport aswell as becoming part of the McLaren Junior Driver Programme during the year. Dunne also competed in the 2024 Macau Grand Prix in the #32 Prema Racing Car, where he finished 6th.
Alex Dunne: “To sit here and listen to all my achievements listen back to me is something really special and it’s something that makes me really proud. The goal for next year is ultimately F2. I will be doing a F2 test in Abu Dhabi next week. 2024 was one of the more difficult years in recent times for me, but with the support of McLaren and MP Motorsport we showed good pace and got through it.”
The Neil Shanahan Memorial Trophy was awarded to the 11-year-old Alex Reilly, from Navan, Co. Meath, who was crowned 2024 Motorsport Ireland National Cadet Karting Champion.
76-year-old MJ Morrissey was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award for his World Championship win in the FIA WRC Co-Drivers Masters Cup.
The Ivan Webb Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport went to Angela Henehan, who was rewarded for her tireless and ongoing work within Motorsport. A former chair of the Rallies Commission and current member of the Motorsport Council, Angela’s ongoing work and wealth of knowledge are priceless to Irish Motorsport. She also must be commended for the work with Sport Ireland during the Covid-19 Pandemic, securing funding for Motorsport Ireland and its affiliated clubs, to help safeguard our future.
The JC Millard Memorial Award for Clubman of the Year went to Pat Horan, who was honoured for his outstanding dedication to his club, the Birr & District Motor Club, throughout the years. From being a founding member of the club, Pat has been involved in every facet of the sport since. His dedication as club treasurer, Secretary and even President over the years as been immense. He has also served in key rolls on events, such as being COC or Steward, and went on to be an International Scrutineer in the 1980’s. Pat got to return to competing in 2024, after a 43 hiatus and took top honours in both the Munster and Grass Two-Wheel Drive Autocross championships.
The Mick Merrigan Memorial Award represents and celebrates ‘the Spirit of Irish Motorsport’ and was presented to Don Kissane.
In recognition of their voluntary efforts for the sport, Peter O’Donoghue, Jimmy Cleary, Caroline McGuiness, Marie O’Donoghue, Eddie Quinn and Charlie and Lottie (RIP) Reid were presented with FIA Volunteer Pins by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards, which celebrate the achievements of motorsport clubs, organisations and contributors, were also handed out. Cian Donnellan was awarded the best use of PR and social media. Cork Motor Club won in the innovation category. The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association were recognised for their continuation of sustainable and environmental practices to refuelling on rounds of their championship. Wexford Motor Club were awarded for encouraging Diversity and Inclusion in Motorsport, while Donegal Motor Club took the award for cooperation with local and civic bodies in the running of a motorsport event for their work with An Garda Síochána and local emergency service providers during the 2024 Donegal International Rally. Finally, Monaghan Motor Club took the award for Fostering and Encouraging Youth in Motorsport.
Speaking after the awards, Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper said:
“What an incredible day for our sport. Amazing sportspeople were rewarded for their tireless work, as competitors, officials and organisers. We have rewarded some of the finest young driving talents in Ireland once again, as well as giving back to our volunteers with the FIA Volunteers pins and Motorsport Ireland Presidents Awards. I am also proud to have officially launched the Dacia Cup today as an entry-level Rally class, and we are excited to see what 2025 brings.”
