■ Mr. Gay Ireland, Barry Meegan, with top Irish model Sarah Morrissey.

DUBLIN, October 28, 2007  –  Barry Meegan, a player with the Emerald Warriors gay rugby club and “Mr. Emerald Warriors”, is the new Mr. Gay Ireland.

Last night, he beat off competition from 21 other finalists from all over Ireland – north and south – to take the title.

“The lads on the rugby team asked me if I would represent the club in this years Mr. Gay Ireland competition and as it is for a good cause, I said why not, who knows,” he commented.

With UKTV’s Brendan Courtney playing host for the evening at the popular Dublin gay night-spot, The George, contestants strutted their stuff in formal, casual and swimwear.

Sorting the “king” from “the queens” were a panel of judges including Bairbre Power (Irish Independent), Roisin Ingle (Irish Times/NewTalk), former Australian rugby international Grant Hourigan and Michael Doyle, creative director of Peter Mark.

Top Irish model and former Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey was on hand to share her advice with the winner as were current title holders Mr. Gay Europe Jackson Netto, Mr. Gay Ireland John Rice and Mr. Gay Northern Ireland Mikey Robinson.  Other guest included Hell’s Kitchen’s Brian Dowling and You’re A Star winner Donna McCaul.

Barry, aged 29, is hoping his new found status will help raise the profile of the Gay Rugby World Cup which will be held in Ireland for the first time next year.  Endorsed by the IRFU, The Bingham Cup will take place at the DCU Sports Complex, Dublin in June 2008.

Before that. Barry will travel to Budapest for Mr. Gay Europe next summer and Hollywood, USA for Mr. Gay World in January. For the last two years Mr. Gay Ireland has come Top 3 in Europe and organisers hope Barry has what it takes to tackle the crown.

Each contestant was required to raise sponsorship for two designated charities; ‘Round Tower Housing Association’, which provides independent living spaces for homeless people with HIV/Aids, and the New Fill Project at St James Hospital – providing facial reconstruction from those who have suffered wasting as a result of HIV/Aids.

A total of €19,000 (£13,300; $27,350) was raised by the contestants