Outsider Youth Of The Year - Outsider Awards Nominees

Bold, adventurous, and brimming with potential, the Youth of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of outdoor champions who are inspiring their peers to explore, protect, and connect with Ireland’s landscapes. From organising community adventures to leading initiatives that make the outdoors more inclusive, these young trailblazers show that age is no barrier to making a big impact. Their energy, creativity, and passion remind us all that adventure isn’t just for adults; it begins wherever young people dare to step outside and lead the way.

The Outsider Awards will take place on 11 February 2026 at The Helix, Dublin, and we’re thrilled that the Outsider Awards will be supported by Sport Ireland, Craghoppers, Outwest Clothing, Mountaineering Ireland, and NowCoco Drinks.

Read all about this year’s nominees below.

The Youth Of The Year award will be decided by a panel of judges, but feel free to share who you think should win on social media and tag us @outsider.ie!

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Oscar Black (16)

At just sixteen years old, Lurgan’s own Oscar Black has already carved his name into Irish open-water history. In July 2025, Oscar became the youngest swimmer ever to complete a solo crossing of the North Channel, the notorious stretch of icy water between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The achievement didn’t happen by accident. Oscar first swam with Lurgan Amateur Swimming Club, then fell in love with open water thanks to the Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers. When he joined a relay across the North Channel in 2023 with the Red Hot Chilli Dippers, something clicked: the goal was set. One day, he would do it solo.

Nothing could have prepared him for how brutal the swim would become. What was meant to take 11 hours stretched into 16 hours and 38 minutes, as vicious currents held him in place for nearly three hours, agonisingly close to Scotland. The physical effort was immense, but it was the mental battle, alone with his thoughts in endless grey water, that pushed him to the edge.

What kept him going was the team watching from the boat, coach Dot barking encouragement and handing feeds, training partner Jessika Robson (the youngest female to do the crossing) shouting belief into the wind, the Infinity crew guiding the way, and his mum gamely battling seasickness from the deck.

Now focusing on pool goals, Oscar still dreams ahead: the Irish Triple Crown, Galway Bay, Fastnet, and the North Channel. And if his story so far proves anything, it’s that he’s nowhere near done yet.

Lochlyn Kenny (8)

At just 8, Lochlyn Kenny, a young IMRA athlete, has already carved out a remarkable place for himself on the Irish mountain running scene, not only by racing more than 20 times across trails, forest tracks and wild hillsides, but also stepping up to volunteer an impressive seven times with the same infectious enthusiasm he brings to the start line.

Ask him what he loves most about IMRA races, and the answer comes easily: the people. Sharing trails with his heroes and previous Outsider Award nominees, Enda Cloake and Zak Hanna. For Loughlynn, giving back is just as important as racing, whether that’s marshalling, helping at junior events, or getting his hands dirty at what he says was his best day yet, planting trees with IMRA and supporting future trail access for everyone.

His favourite races tell the story of a kid fully alive in the outdoors: sprinting through hidden tunnels in the Glen of the Downs and splashing through muck and magic on Church Mountain, where horses, Halloween goblins and gooles turned race day into adventure.

Oscar McKinney (11)

At just eleven years old, Markethill’s Oscar McKinney has already earned a place in Irish mountain-sport history twice! Diagnosed with epilepsy and undeterred by challenge, Oscar has used his boundless curiosity and love of the hills to push well beyond what anyone would expect from someone his age.

Oscar first came to national attention in 2023 when, aged eight years and 355 days, he became the youngest person ever to climb the highest point in all 32 counties of Ireland, breaking the previous record by an incredible 142 days. While many might have paused to celebrate such a feat, Oscar simply set his sights higher. Two years later, after hundreds of hours on the trails and countless metres climbed, he completed the 100 highest mountains in Ireland, becoming the youngest recorded person to do so.

Motivated by his mum’s own 100-peak journey and supported by his family, brother Jai and Hiking Buddies NI, Oscar says his favourite mountain is Carrauntoohil, though the ridge on Galtymore still lives rent-free in his mind. His advice to young hikers is wise beyond his years: get the right gear, make safe decisions and never run near cliffs!

Millie Clotworthy (16)

At just 16, Millie Clotworthy has already shown incredible resilience, determination, and a love for challenging herself in the outdoors. Preferring to compete with herself rather than in team sports, Millie thrives on pushing her limits while exploring the freedom and independence the natural world offers. In 2025, she ran the mini marathon for the Irish Cancer Society, completing the race shortly after her granny was diagnosed, and took on the Moonlight Challenge to support the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team, gaining first-hand insight into the dedication required to keep others safe.

Currently, Millie is training for an Arctic expedition with her father, preparing physically by running, hiking, practising taekwondo, and simulating sledge-pulling with a weighted tyre. She is also building mental resilience, learning to stay positive in extreme conditions, and embracing the “be bothered” mindset to ensure safety and success in challenging environments. For Millie, the outdoors is as much about community, inspiration, and empowerment as it is about adventure, and she encourages others to simply start, take the first step, and embrace all that nature has to offer.

Anna McGookin (17)

Hailing from the windswept shores of Castlerock, 17-year-old rising star Anna McGookin has exploded onto the Irish mountain scene. While many athletes spend years climbing the ranks, she wasted no time stamping her name among the nation’s best.

What began with a standout third-place finish at the Ulster cross country Championships, followed by seventh at All-Irelands, catapulted her from newcomer to national contender. Those results earned her a coveted spot in the London Mini Marathon, her first taste of international racing, and from there her season gathered unstoppable momentum.

A surprise invitation to trial for the Northern Ireland mountain running squad turned into selection at U18 level for the International Youth Cup in Slovakia, where she stunned herself with a bronze medal. Add a silver at the British & Irish Mountain Running Championships in Wales and selection for the Irish U20 team at the World Mountain Running Championships, and her debut season on the mountains reads like a seasoned veteran’s highlight reel.

With more mountains calling, more medals to chase, and uphill-only races firmly in her sights, Anna is only getting started.