Surfer needs a splash of cash

A young Irishman nominated for the world’s top big wave surfer award is struggling to pull together enough cash to attend the ceremony.

Ollie O’Flaherty, 24, from Lahinch, Co Clare, has been shortlisted for the celebrated Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards to be held in Los Angeles next month.

The science graduate is among just five surfers from around the globe in the running for the top prize after riding a massive 50ft swell off Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo just weeks ago.