Donegal Sports Star Awards - Who won what?

Sport - February 01, 2025, 09:08

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Donegal Sports Star Awards - Who won what?

The 49th Donegal Sports Star Awards ceremony was held in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, on Friday night.

The awards were celebrating the 2024 Donegal sporting year.

Listen back to a selection of interviews gathered by Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan at ceremony.

For the second year in a row, a jockey took the top award on the night with Letterkenny's Dylan Browne McMonagle receiving the top prize in succession to Rathmullan jockey Oisín Orr, who was the 2023 winner.

Browne McMonagle enjoyed a stellar 2024 in the saddle.

In only his second year as a professional, he secured his first Royal Ascot winner. In August he had a dream debut race at Goodwood winning the Richmond Stakes.

Dylan followed that up with a big Group 1 success in Germany.

The international triumphs continued for the Letterkenny jockey with two winners at Deauville in France.

The 21-year-old was also first home at Saint-Cloud in Paris. In September he claimed the 300th winner of his career.

Finn Valley Athletics Club founder Patsy McGonagle was inducted into the awards Hall of Fame, for his services to Athletics locally, nationally and internationally.

He was presented with his award by former Ireland sprint Olympian David Gillick, who was the special guest on the night - and who worked closely with McMonagle for much of his athletics career.

Donegal sports broadcasters Ritchie Kelly and Charlie Collins both received appreciation awards as did Mark Coyle, who captained Shelbourne FC to the League of Ireland title in 2024.

Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town collected the secondary school award, while other winners on the night included St Naul's Peadar Mogan, Drumbar United's Teagan O'Reilly and Ballyshannon's Eoin Rooney from Nero Swim Club.

The Award Winners
OVERALL DONEGAL SPORTS STAR 2024
Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny

HALL OF FAME
Patsy McGonagle, Finn Valley A.C.

SPIORAD NA nGAEL
CLG Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Sadie Duffy, Illies Golden Gloves A.B.C.

BRENDAN MCDAID MEMORIAL SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
Richie Kelly, Killea

SPORTING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Charlie Collins, Letterkenny

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Doe Amateur Swimming Club
Donegal Men’s County Darts Team

Sport-by-Sport winners
ATHLETICS
Mark English, Finn Valley A.C.

BOXING
Cahir Gormley, Illies Golden Gloves A.B.C.

COACH / MANAGER
Gavin Cullen, Cockhill Celtic F.C.

DARTS
Gerard McGlynn, Glenfin

EQUESTRIAN
Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny

GAELIC FOOTBALL
Peadar Mogan, St. Naul’s

GYMNASTICS
Lilliane Becht, Citadel Gymnastics

HOCKEY
Luke Witherow, Banbridge Hockey Club

HURLING
Liam Óg McKinney, Burt

MARTIAL ARTS
Valentin Ciobanu, Rillon Gracie Ireland, Letterkenny

MOTOR SPORT
Ryan MacHugh, Frosses

SPECIAL ATHLETE
Eoin Rooney, Nemo Special Olympics Swim Club
Sarah Bradley, Jumpin Jacks Special Olympics Gymnastics Club
Finn Harps League of Ireland Down Syndrome Futsal Team
Anna Hennessy
Daniel O'Reilly
David Crawford
Hughie Sweeney
Kealan Doherty
Lianne Kelly
Meg Carr
Shaun McCosker

PARA-ATHLETE
Elsie Friel, Ireland Women's Cerebral Palsy Team
Teagan O’Reilly, Drumbar United F.C.

PROFESSIONAL SPORT ACHIEVEMENT
Mark Coyle, Shelbourne F.C.

ROWING
Niamh Doogan, Kincasslagh Rowing Club

SEA ANGLING
James Donaghey, Lough Swilly Sea Angling Club

SOCCER
Garbhan Friel, Cockhill Celtic F.C.

SWIMMING
Maeve Mc Clean, City of Derry Swimming Club

TRIATHLON
Mark McGinley, Letterkenny 24-7 Triathlon Club

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY
Oisín Ó'hÍr, Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Moville

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL
Katie & Molly Ní Ghallachóir, Scoil Náisiúnta An Choimín, An Chlochán

SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY
Odhran McBrearty, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar

SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL
Erin Friel, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny

APPRECIATION
Eugene Gallagher, Seán MacCumhaills