Cork IT’s Pearse O’Flynn 2016 Leadership Award Winner.

Pearse O'Flynn, Cork IT Sailing Club Chairperson, 2016 SSI Leadership Award winner.
Pearse O’Flynn, Cork IT Sailing Club Chairperson, winner 2016 SSI Leadership Award.

Student Sport Ireland is pleased to announce Cork IT Sailing Club Chairperson and Irish University Sailing Association Chairperson Pearse O’Flynn as the recipient of its the second annual Leadership Award. The award was established by SSI to recognise outstanding student leaders who go above and beyond in their contribution to the development of their sport and college club.

With the number of nominees significantly up on last year Pearse was selected from a short-list of three students by Student Sport Ireland members. Shortlisted along with Pearse were DCU Archery Club Chairperson Philip Early and UL Trampolining and Gymnastics Club member Brian Finnerty.

In the presence of family members Pearse was presented with his award at a function hosted by Cork IT President Dr Brendan Murphy and attended by Pearse’s nominator Cork IT Sports Officer Miriam Deasy; Student Sport Ireland Development Manager Ciarán Ó hIarnáin; Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Barry O Connor; Academic https://dev.mediahelm.ie/SSI/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/strategic-plan.jpgistration and Student Affairs Manager Dr Dan Collins; Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities Gerard O Donovan along with fellow staff from that department; CIT Sailing Club members and CIT Sports Department staff.

Pearse O'Flynn receives his award from nominator Miriam Deasy, CIT Sports Officer with SSI Development manager Ciarán Ó hIarnáin and Cork IT President Brendan Murphy at Cork IT.
Pearse O’Flynn receives his award from nominator Miriam Deasy, CIT Sports Officer with Student Sport Ireland Development Manager Ciarán Ó hIarnáin and Cork IT President Brendan Murphy at Cork IT.

A fourth year Business Information Systems student from Durrus, West Cork Pearse was nominated for his leadership of, and commitment to, the Cork IT Sailing Club, his work ethic and endless hours of volunteering over the four years at Cork IT.

In her presentation to SSI members Miriam Deasy highlighted Pearse’s resolve to replace the sailing club fleet which has been destroyed in a storm. After the storm Pearse quickly set about sourcing a new fleet of second hand boats, which he found in the UK, and then proceeded to collect, and deliver back home, the boats where he worked with a boat builder in their refurbishment.

The hard work paid off when in May Pearse and his colleagues lead the club to the National Student Yachting Championship with a one point victory over UCD and which qualified Cork IT Sailing Club to represent Ireland at the World Championships to be held in France in November. The club were also placed second in the “Easterns”, as well as match racing champions.

Miriam Deasy said “I am thrilled to see Pearse receive this much deserved recognition. His dedication to Cork IT and his passion for the sport of sailing has been outstanding. The amount of hours he has volunteered to help the Cork IT Sailing Club has been incredible, I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. He has been a terrific ambassador for student sport and a great role model for all students. This is a most prestigious award and Cork IT are thrilled and very proud that our student has been chosen as 2016 recipient; this is a wonderful first for Cork IT. The nomination sought a hard working student who had represented their college both in action, administration and leadership and Pearse was the perfect fit”.

Pearse is the second receipt of the SSI Leadership award following DCU student Lindsay Peat.