Dylan Browne-McMonagle is 2024 Overall Donegal Sports Star Award Winner
Jockey Dylan Browne-McMonagle was crowned Overall 2024 Donegal Sports Star Award winner on Friday night in the Mount Errigal Hotel. Before an attendance of over 600, the young Letterkenny man got the judges nod ahead of Liam Og McKinney, Mark Coyle, Mark English, Peader Mogan and Ryan McHugh.
Browne-McMonagle had enjoyed amazing success last year not alone in Ireland but also England, France, Germany and Australia. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old wasn’t able to be present due to racing commitments in Bahrain.
He became only the second jockey to win the Overall Award following in the footsteps of Oisin Orr who has done it twice. And it’s the first time that jockeys have taken the top honour back-to-back. Two-time 400m European gold medalist David Gillick was the special guest while exclusive sponsors Donegal County Council were represented by Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh Kennedy and Chief Executive John McLaughlin. The newly appointed Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport Deputy Charlie McConalogue was also in attendance.
It was another special night for Donegal sport with not only the achievers of 2024 being honoured. There was also recognition for people who have given a lot to sport over a lifetime. That included two men from the Twin Towns Eugene Gallagher (Appreciation) and Patsy McGonagle (Hall of Fame). Richie Kelly (Brendan McDaid Memorial Special Achievement) and Charlie Collins (Sporting Acknowledgement) were rewarded for their media coverage of sport.
Cockhill Celtic were big winners on the night taking three categories – Team, Coach-Manager (Gavin Cullen) and Soccer (Garbhan Friel). The unbelievable journey of Naomh Padraig, Muff was acknowledged with a brand new award – Spioraid Na nGael. Gerard McGlynn took the darts category while Peader Mogan and Liam Og McKinney received the GAA and Hurling Awards respectively. Doe Amateur Swimming Club was recognised for their contribution to the local community
Once again the nine schools awards were a big part of the 2024 event. It was a good night for Inishowen with two teachers Paddy Carr and John McFeely being honoured while Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana took the Large Primary School category. And Oisín Ó’ hÍr was named Best Primary School Sports Boy. It was also a very special occasion for Cloghan National School. They took the Small Primary School category. And two of their pupils, twins Katie and Molly Ní Ghallachóir were joint winners of the Best Primary School Sports Girl Award.
2024 DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS 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, Jump ‘n’ 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
CLUB
Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
TEAM
Cockhill Celtic Senior Men’s Team
PRIMARY SCHOOL (SMALL <100)
Scoil Náisiúnta An Choimín, An Chlochán
PRIMARY SCHOOL (LARGE >100)
Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana
PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER
John McFeely, Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Carndonagh
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town
SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER
Paddy Carr, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
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
HALL OF FAME
Patsy McGonagle, Finn Valley A.C.
OVERALL DONEGAL SPORTS STAR 2024
Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny
For further information on the Donegal Sports Star Awards go to donegalsportsstarawards.ie or visit Facebook donegalsport starawards and X @DLsportstars.