Kyle McBride, Fionn McLaughlin and Alex Dunne land top accolades at 2025 Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards

The 2025 Motorsport Ireland Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards, presented by Kingfisher Motorsport, were held today at the Crowne Plaza, Santry, Co. Dublin in front of a packed crowd representing the best and most influential people in the sport today, eagerly awaiting the results of key awards, and to see the champions of their respective disciplined crowned on a national stage.

This year’s story is a familiar one, focusing mainly on the two Young Driver Awards; the Sexton Trophy for Young Racing Driver of the Year, and the Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year. On top of this, the day celebrated winners of the Manley Trophy for the best International Driver, and accolades like the Millard, Webb, and Merrigan awards which aim to recognise the off-track contributions to motorsport. The event was hosted by RTÉ’s John Kenny and Motorsport Ireland president Aiden Harper and saw 55 trophies 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 22-year-old Kyle McBride, from Clonmany, Co. Donegal. McBride won the award on the back of performances in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK, and the Junior British Rally Championship this season in a Peugeot 208 Rally4. McBride is a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and was a Billy Coleman Award finalist in 2022 and 2024, though 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, McBride will receive support to the value of up to €50,000 from Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland for the 2025 season. An additional support package, to a value of up to €50,000, will be available from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy as part of an agreed training and development programme designed to progress the winners’ career.

Kyle McBride:

“Absolutely delighted to win the Billy Coleman Award. It’s been my third time, getting into it so third time lucky! Huge thanks to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, my family, my sponsors, my friends, the team for preparing my car. Huge thanks to all these people for being a part of my journey. Yeah, onwards and upwards. I’m looking forward to a busy year next year.”

The Sexton Trophy for Young Racing Driver of the Year was awarded to the young Fionn McLaughlin from Derry. Already a Red Bull Junior driver, McLaughlin completed his year with the British Formula 4 Championship title and looks to push even further with a Formula 3 drive on the horizon. The 18-year-old has shown impressive poise and professionalism jumping straight from karting to single-seater racing with ease while competing against the best of UK and Irish talent.

As part of the award, McLaughlin will receive €42,500 in support funding from Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland, but in a first for the award, runners-up Jason Smyth and Sean McGovern will also receive a funding prize of €5,000 and €2,500 respectively.

Fionn McLaughlin:

“Amazed to win the Sexton Trophy. We’ve had a good year. I’m looking forward to the following season. Excited to get going for the season ahead. Hopefully I can bring some more results home to Ireland.”

Kyle McBride and Fionn McLaughlin

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 2 Series this year for Rodin Motorsport as well as outings in Formula 1 free-practice sessions at the Austrian and Italian Grands Prix with the McLaren F1 team. Dunne was unable to attend the awards this year due to his commitments for the final round of the Formula 2 Championship being held in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

The Neil Shanahan Memorial Trophy was awarded to the 11-year-old Danny Dempsey, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, who was crowned 2025 Motorsport Ireland National Cadet Karting Champion.

The Ivan Webb Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport went to Noelle Horan, who was rewarded for her tireless and ongoing work within Irish motorsport at a commission level, where she has been a stalwart among the Women In Motorsport commission, as well as acting in her role as secretary of Birr & District Motor Club, where she is a familiar and friendly face to all across the sport.

The JC Millard Memorial Award for Clubman of the Year went to Adam Farrelly, who was honoured for his outstanding dedication to his club, Kildare Motor Club, throughout the years. Adam is a member of the Motorsport Ireland Kart Commission and has acted as Clerk of the Course and Deputy Clerk of the Course at events this year in both Karting and Trials, as well as a competitor in clubman events like autotests and production car trials.

The Mick Merrigan Memorial Award represents and celebrates ‘the Spirit of Irish Motorsport’ and was given to Paddy Fay.

The Rosemary Smith Trophy was presented to Nicole Drought by the Chairman of the RIAC Arthur Collier and Women In Motorsport Commission chair Rosemary Walsh.

In recognition of their voluntary efforts for the sport, Pat Sheil, Winnie Sheil, Eamon McGee, Niall Murphy, Pat Healy, Ger Hayes, David Pain, and Jim Callaghan (RIP) received FIA Volunteer Pins from Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.

Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards, which celebrate the achievements of motorsport clubs, organisations and contributors, were also handed out. Wexford Motor Club were honoured for their excellent work within diversity and inclusion. The best use of public relations went to Birr & District Motor Club. Maria O’Donoghue was selected for her work with encouraging youth participation. Killarney & District Motor Club were selected for innovation, and Limerick Motor Club took an award for their improvements in environmental and sustainability matters. Finally, ALMC were commended on their ability to work with local authorities, a vital aspect of motorsport.

And the Motorsport Ireland Hall of Fame received a new inductee in the form of John Coyne, an incredible competitor turned patron of the sport. Coyne’s legacy spans decades, with his 2023 excursion in Rally Finland making him the oldest Irish driver to enter a World Rally Championship event at 73 years old. The 1982 Irish Tarmac Rally Champion has entered over 800 events both in his career both at home and abroad and is a key piece of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy framework, providing both support and mentorship for the young drivers.

Speaking after the awards, Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper said:
“This year’s awards really represent what this sport is all about. Our incredible community has celebrated awards given to those as young as seven years old, reaching up all the way to 87 years old. It’s a day where we thank our amazing sportspeople for their effort and their work and it’s important we keep a day in our calendars to celebrate these remarkable achievements. Whether it’s our Young Driver awards or our FIA Volunteers pins and President’s Awards, it is truly a testament to the world class level we have reached in Irish motorsport.”