The Donegal Sports Star Awards Committee has released the list of nominees for the 2022 Donegal Sports Star Awards function which takes place on Friday 27th of January in the Mount Errigal Hotel. There are 36 categories with over 120 individuals and teams listed for the first live gala ceremony since January 2020 when the 2019 winners were honoured. The 2020 and 2021 Awards were held virtually due to the pandemic.
It will be the 47th Donegal Sports Star Awards and Chairperson Grace Boyle has congratulated all those that have nominated. Once again Donegal County Council are the exclusive sponsors. Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam Blaney and Chief Executive John McLaughlin will be among the special guests at the official launch of the 2022 Awards next Monday evening in the Mount Errigal. The launch will be done by former Finn Harps boss Ollie Horgan who now assistant-manager at Galway Utd.
Just seven people know at this stage that they will be award recipients on Friday 27th of January. They include Donegal Bay Rowing Club stalwart Patrick Brady who will receive the Appreciation Award. Milford woman Amber Barrett will be honoured with an Historic Achievement accolade in recognition of that never to be forgotten goal at Hampden Park in October that secured the Republic of Ireland senior women’s team a place at the World Cup Finals for the first time ever. Letterkenny AC’s Catriona Jennings will receive the International Achievement Award for her remarkable endurance running successes on both the European and World stages.
In July, Manorcuningham based Mark Devir became the first Donegal man to win the Irish individual Sea Fishing Masters title when it was held in Crosshaven in County Cork. He came out on top after the two day event. That has secured the 34-year-old Lough Swilly Sea Angling Club member his first Donegal Sports Star Award. He will captain the six-man Irish team at the 2023 World Boat Championships in France.
Convoy man Jamie Griffin’s exploits on the global skateboarding circuit is being fittingly acknowledged by the Donegal Sports Star Awards Committee for the first time also. On Wednesday 22nd June the London based skateboarder was crowned the champion of the ‘Battle of the Berrics’ World Challenge in Los Angeles.
Last but not least brother and sister Shaun Sharkey and Helena Melly are being recognised for winning their respective men’s and women’s national senior pool finals. The dream family double was achieved at the NEC in Killarney at the end of May. The siblings went on to represent Ireland at the World Championships.
2022 DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS NOMINEES
Appreciation
Patrick Brady, Donegal Bay Rowing Club
Athletics
Anne Marie McGlynn, Letterkenny A.C.
Mark English, Finn Valley A.C.
Kelly Mc Grory, Tír Chonaill A.C.
Badminton
Joshua Magee, Raphoe
Rachael Darragh, Raphoe
Rhys McAuley, Raphoe
Basketball
Killian Gribben, Letterkenny Blaze
Maria Kealy, Letterkenny Blaze
Shannon Cunningham, Letterkenny Blaze
Boxing
Brett McGinty, St. Johnston
Jack Harkin, Oakleaf A.B.C.
Matthew McCole, Illies Golden Gloves A.B.C.
Club
Bonagee United F.C.
Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
Ulster Karate-Do Federation
Coach / Manager
Gary McGettigan, Setanta Hurling Club
Mick Coleman, Finn Valley Vikings
Paul O’Kane, Letterkenny Rugby Club
Rory McShane, Letterkenny A.B.C.
Equestrian
Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny
Luke McAteer, Rathmullan
Oisin Orr, Rathmullan
Gaelic Football
Geraldine McLaughlin, Clg An Tearmainn
Niamh McLaughlin, Moville
Eoghán Bán Gallagher, Killybegs
Golf
Ryan Griffin, Rosapenna Golf Club
Cian Harkin, Letterkenny Golf Club
Michael Campbell, Portsalon Golf Club
Historic
Amber Barrett, Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team
Hockey
James Corry, Lisnagarvey Hockey Club
Leanne Patterson, Raphoe Hockey Club
Luke Witherow, Banbridge Hockey Club
International Achievement
Catriona Jennings, Letterkenny A.C.
Martial Arts
Darragh Kelly, Moville
Emma Dolan, Three Rivers Karate Club Erin McCole, Ulster Karate-Do Federation
Jordan Furey, Buncrana
Lucas O’Donnell, North West Shotokan Karate Club
Motor Cycling
Caolán Irwin, Kilmacrennan
Rhys Irwin, Kilmacrennan
Richard Kerr, Kilmacrennan
Motor Sport
Eamonn Kelly, Frosses
Gary McElhinney, Donegal Town Jack Harris, Convoy
Joseph Kelly, Mountcharles
Kade Gilchrist, Letterkenny
Kyle McBride, Carndonagh
Para-Athlete
Catherine Grier, Ramelton
Gavin Grier, Ramelton
Leah McMonagle, Ballybofey
Teagan O’Reilly, Donegal Town
Powerlifting
Caroline Dolan, Finn Valley Vikings
Cathal McGlynn, A.B.S. Powerlifting
Edyta Piechowicz, Finn Valley Vikings
Maria McShane, Finn Valley Vikings
Michael Coleman, Finn Valley Vikings
Paulina Coleman, Finn Valley Vikings
Primary School (Large >100)
Kilmacrennan N.S.
Scoil an Linbh Íosa, Killymard, Donegal Town
Scoil Naomh Bríd, Muff
Primary School (Small <100)
Raphoe Central National School
Scoil Na Croise Naofa, Dunfanaghy
Scoil Náisiúnta, Ghort a’ Choirce
Scoil Náisiúnta An Choimín, An Chlochán
Primary School Sports Boy
Ethan Buchanan, Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
Pádraig Mac Harlaigh, Scoil Náisiúnta, Ghort a’ Choirce
Shay McHugh Scoil Scoil Bhríde, Convoy
Primary School Sports Girl
Faela Houston, Acres National School, Burtonport
Kayla Toner, Scoil Bhríde, Convoy
Mila Rose Conwell Boyle, Niall Mór National School, Killybegs
Jasmine Barrett Doherty, Scoil Mhuire, Milford
Primary School Sports Teacher
Derek Brennan, St. Joseph’s National School, Rathmullan
Eilís McClafferty, Scoil Cholmcille, Leitir Ceanainn
Mary O’Donnell, Scoil Na Croise Naofa, Dunfanaghy
Rowing
Cian Sweeney, Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
Méabh McNamara, Donegal Bay Rowing Club
Michael O’Boyle, Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
Patrick Boomer, Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
Sea Angling
Mark Devir, Manorcunningham
Secondary School
Loreto Community School, Milford
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
St.Columba’s College Stranorlar
St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Secondary School Sports Boy
Alex Anderson, Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town
Cillian Murphy, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Donal Gallagher, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Fintan Dewhirst, St Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties
Joseph Gillespie,St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
Leon Doherty, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Luke O’Donnell, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Seán McGinley, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Secondary School Sports Girl
Cache Crumlish, Carndonagh Community School
Caoimhe Gallen, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
Emma Doherty, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Jodie Loughrey, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Keri Loughrey, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Kimberly Pearson, Royal and Prior Comprehensive School
Lucy McGlynn, Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
Molly Nulty, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny
Orlaith Doherty, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
Tori Murchan, Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town
Secondary School Sports Teacher
David Butler, Loreto Community School, Milford
Eoin Leonard, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Michael Kelly, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Skateboarding
Jamie Griffin, Convoy
Soccer
Emma Doherty, Buncrana
Lee McColgan, Creeslough
Ronan Boyce, Ramelton
Shane Blaney, Letterkenny
Special Athlete
Anna Hennessy, Letterkenny
Emily Reid, Donegal Town
Meg Carr, Letterkenny
Sporting Acknowledgement
Shaun Sharkey & Helena Melly, Dungloe (Cue Sports)
Surfing
Maia Monaghan, Rossnowlagh Surf Club
John Britton, Rossnowlagh Surf Club
Swimming
Cody Dunnion, Bangor Swimming Club
Cora Rooney, Ballyshannon Marlins Swim Club
Mona McSharry, Ballyshannon Marlins Swim Club
Shane McCauley, Lifford
Team
Donegal Bay Rowing Club U19 Junior Women’s Double Scull Beach Sprints Team
CLG Ghaeil Leitir Ceanainn Senior Football Team
Finn Valley Vikings Powerlifting Team
Lough Swilly Junior Sea Angling Team
Ulster Karate-Do Federation U18 Male Cadet Team
