Fionntan and Rebecca share £1,000 at BPA Irish Grand Prix

By John Plummer

Photography by Josh Barrett Media

Videography by Steve Lewis Barrett

To order your stage photos from this event, go to Josh Barrett Media.

To order your stage videos from this event, go to Steve Lewis Barrett.

Two of Ireland’s finest physiques pocketed £500 each and two of the coolest trophies in bodybuilding at the 2026 BPA Irish Grand Prix.

Promoter Steve Graham, an accomplished international bodybuilder of yesteryear, put up the cash and organised a great stage for athletes to shine at what was the fourth staging of this event.

There was also a trophy for best presentation and trophies and prizes from sponsors to all class winners, plus tiaras and flowers to the female champions, highlighting how the BPA is going the extra mile for competitors.

With numbers up, and the quality higher than ever, the grand prix looks like being one of the must-attend events of 2027 on the Irish calendar.

Here’s how the action played out.

MEN’S CLASSES

There was no shortage of quality physiques in the overall posedown at the end. But one made brought shape and an eye-catching level of mass to take home the £500 as well as the unique Finn McCool trophy, named after the Irish giant who, according to mythology, created the Giant’s Causeway.

It seemed appropriate that the biggest man in the show, Fionntan O’Neil, went home with a trophy of a giant.

At 6ft tall and 242 lbs, the over-90kg champion cut an imposing X-frame on stage and was not to be denied in the line-up of all class winners.

Fionntan, who owns Atlas Gym in Belfast, is making a name as one of Ireland’s most dangerous emerging bodybuilders. Asked how he felt afterwards, he said: “It was a brilliant show and ran very smoothly. I’ll be encouraging everyone to compete with the BPA.”

David Baker, who won the up to 90kg bodybuilding class with a dense and complete looking physique, provided tough competition.

Conor McGarry’s clean lines took the up to 70kg title and Nuno Andrade made a strong impression winning novice bodybuilding, with deep separation and good development.

Robert Irvine, who turns 60 this year, won masters bodybuilding aged 50 to 59 and the irrepressible JJ Dunne prevailed in the over-60s.

At the other end of the age scale, Phoenix James won junior bodybuilding, displaying good foundations for future success.

Classic winner Dylan Laird wowed the crowd not only with his physique but also with his posing, which won the best presentation trophy. To make the day even more memorable, his partner went on to win the women’s overall trophy.

Men’s physique was the toughest class to judge.

William Ball’s more slender but shapely lines got the better of Lee Finlay in the extremely close masters 40 to 49 category.

But William’s physique faded slightly by the time the two men did battle again in the open class, and Lee’s thicker upper body, improved posing and good conditioning secured victory.

Bruno Machado, who starred in Portugal’s Got Talent, won the novice class looking sharp and ready. He even threw in a cartwheel during his stage time – what a performer!

David Nicholl got the better of Felix McAlinden in masters men’s physique over-50s and the thick abs of Rowan Logue helped him win Fit Model.

WOMEN’S CLASSES

It proved to be a case of saving the best till last, as Rebecca Hansen, the very final competitor on stage all day, won wellness and then took the overall title to go home with £500 and the Irish Warrior Princess trophy.

Rebecca has a classy physique. She isn’t the biggest but there is nothing wasted and her lines flow beautifully, with terrific glute-ham tie-ins.

Nobody clapped louder for her than her wellness rival Lauren Hoey, who was in terrific shape herself, in a great display of sportsmanship.

Rebecca’s rivals for the overall included trained figure champion Amanda Corry, who has sculpted a superb shape, full of killer lines from all angles.

Bikini novice and open winner Catriona O’Neil was also in the shake-up. Catriona has the kind of tight lines and outstanding glutes that are the hallmarks of success in the sport. With her partner Fionntan winning the men’s overall, the duo must have a fair claim to be Ireland’s best-built couple.

Barbara Hamill’s infectious smile and nicely developed physique made a big impression. She won masters bikini over 50s and finished second to Catriona in the open line-up. Zoey Hughes’ lovely, balanced shape helped her to victory in the 40 to 49 bikini age group and she also wore the winner’s sash in Fit Model.

RESULTS

Men’s overall champion: Fionntan O’Neil

Women’s overall champion: Rebecca Hansen

Best Presentation: Dylan Laird

Novice Bodybuilding

1 Nuno Andrade

Novice Bikini

1 Catriona O’Neil

Novice Men’s Physique

1 Bruno Machado

Junior Bodybuilding (16–23 Years)

1 Phoenix James

Masters Bodybuilding 50–59 Years

1 Robert Irvine

2 David Stewart

Masters Bodybuilding Over 60 Years

1 JJ Dunne

2 Paul McConnell

Trained Figure

1 Amanda Corry

Bodybuilding Up To & Including 80kg

1 Conor McGarry

2 JJ Dunne

Bodybuilding Up To & Including 90kg

1 David Baker

2 Robert Irvine

Bodybuilding Over 90kg

1 Fionntan O’Neil

Masters Men’s Physique 40–49 Years

1 William Ball

2 Lee Finlay

3 Rowan Logue

Masters Men’s Physique Over 50 Years

1 David Nicholl

2 Felix McAlinden

Masters Bikini 40–49 Years

1 Zoey Hughes

Masters Bikini Over 50 Years

1 Barbara Hamill

2 Michelle McKinley

Ladies Fit Model

1 Zoey Hughes

2 Michelle McKinley

Men’s Fit Model

1 Rowan Logue

Classic Physique

1 Dylan Laird

2 Phoenix James

Men’s Physique Open

1 Lee Finlay

2 William Ball

Bikini Open

1 Catriona O’Neil

2 Barbara Hamill

Wellness

1 Rebecca Hansen

2 Lauren Hoey