McGovern, McKillen, and O’Grady secure first 2026 Sexton Trophy Nominations

Left: Sexton Trophy, Right from top: Sean McGovern, Charlie McKillen, Alex O’Grady

The first three nominees for the 2026 Sexton Trophy Young Racing Driver of the Year award have been announced. These three selections represent the best up-and-coming talent in circuit racing, with these individuals selected for their performances between April and June. This year, nominations will come in the form of a monthly selection, as adjudicated by a panel appointed by Motorsport Ireland.

April: Charlie McKillen
21-year-old Charlie McKillen from Co. Wicklow was the first of this year’s talented crop to catch the eyes of the judges. Currently studying Business, Economics, and Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin, Charlie has impressed the panel in just his second year of racing thanks to securing five pole positions, five fastest laps, and three wins in the Mondello Park Fiesta ST Championship.

May: Alex O’Grady
The Galwegian Alex O’Grady has been competing in motorsport since his early karting days at just four years old. Now, Alex finds himself atop the British GB4 Championship in his second season racing in Britain, after a previous season in Formula 4 France. The 17-year-old netted his nomination for the Sexton Trophy this year thanks to a superb May month. With three wins and seven podiums this year to date, the youngster hopes to net the championship title at the final round held later this month in Brands Hatch.

June: Sean McGovern
Dublin’s Sean McGovern, 21, is the June nominee, and secured his second Sexton Trophy nomination after finishing as a runner-up last year. In 2026, Sean is debuted in the UK motorsport scene through the Milltek Civic Cup where he sits third after a season where he took multiple podiums and pole positions, as well as a victory at Donington Park. Back home, he has secured the Mondello Park Fiesta Zetec title with a round to spare.

Over the coming weeks, more monthly nominee will be selected, with potential wildcards added to the mix at the end for standout drivers who just didn’t quite secure one of the previous spots. The longlist of nominees will then undertake a formal interview process in November with a panel of judges representing Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland, the Motorsport Ireland Race Commission, and members of the media.

The Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award and the historic Sexton Trophy are presented to the individual who has demonstrated the most potential to represent Ireland at home and internationally both on the track as well as in the public eye. This year, the structure of the award has changed, whereby the winner will receive a €42,500 support package to help develop their motor racing career, but for the first time, monetary prizes are awarded for the first and second runners-up at €5,000 and €2,500 respectively.

The overall winner of the 2026 award will be announced at the Motorsport Ireland Champions Awards Lunch in December. The award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland.