Matt McGovern represented Ireland in the men’s 49er skiff at two Olympic Games, finishing 14th at London 2012 and 10th at Rio 2016, both times alongside helmsman Ryan Seaton.

From Bangor, Co. Down, McGovern began sailing at the age of six and first represented Ireland at the 420 World Championships aged 12. A member of Royal Ulster Yacht Club, he and Seaton formed one of Ireland’s most celebrated sailing partnerships, winning races at the London 2012 Games and reaching the medal race at Rio 2016 before finishing 10th.

He was regarded within the Irish Sailing programme as one of the most meticulous and well-prepared athletes of his generation – a photograph of him and Seaton working in their rigging workshop was displayed at Irish Sailing’s Performance HQ as an example of the attention to detail they wanted younger athletes to emulate. He retired from competition in February 2018 and subsequently joined the Irish Sailing Team as 49er coach before serving as High Performance Manager with RYA Northern Ireland.