The Donegal Junior League toasted its winners and honoured a wide variety of its members at the end-of-season bash at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny last night.
CT Ball Division Two and Brian McCormick Cup double winners Ballybofey United – who also collected an Area Shield – were out in force as their trophy famine was ended in style. Ballybofey captain Damien Glackin won the Division Two Top Goalscorer and the Player of the Year award.
Glenna United veteran Eamon Cannon – who led the Pairc Joe side to Premier Division glory this season – was named as the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division Player of the Year after a season that saw him win his fifth top flight crown.
This year, the Fair Play Award was named in honour of the late former Donegal League Executive member George McMullan. John McMullan, George’s son, presented the award to Jerry Early of Arranmore United, who won this award for the third season in a row.
Donegal League Vice Chairman Nigel Ferry acted as MC for the night.
“It has been a successful year for the clubs here this evening and it’s important as a League that we’re as strong as we are,” Mr Ferry told the crowd of around 250.
“The clubs make the league and cups competitive. All 38 clubs and the people who make the competitions deserve credit. It is good and healthy for junior football in Donegal that these competitions are as competitive as they are. The League goes from strength to strength.”
Mr Ferry paid tribute to the League’s sponsors, the Executive members and the local media.
The Donegal Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees’ Society were represented by Aidan Redican and Facilities Inspector Brian O’Kane was also in attendance.
Ferry said: “Everyone has a role to play and it is thanks to these people that our League runs like clockwork each year.”
Four Lifetime Achievement Awards were given out on the night.
Pat McGinty has been involved at St Catherine’s since 1971. McGinty had a long playing career and managed St Catherine’s in both the Donegal League and the Ulster Senior League. He has the unique distinction of having scored the club’s first goal in the Donegal League Premier Division and, having had spells as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer, he is now St Catherine’s FC President.
McGinty cuts and lines the pitch and was the main driving force behind the development of the new stand and astro pitch at Emerald Park.
Liam Porter is perhaps the youngest recipient of such an award. Even though he’s still in his 40s, he has given a lifetime and more of service to his native Raphoe Town. The very essence of the true clubman, he has managed teams at all levels and served in every position on the club committee. In every season he says he has to see every Raphoe Town team in action. His weekly schedule is eye-watering, as he retains a huge involvement across all strands of the club and has been the driving force behind their schoolgirls’ teams.
Hugh Rodgers was one of the founding members of Arranmore United 30 years ago. He was the manager of the club in the early days and has been the Islanders’ Chairman for the last ten years as he keeps his involvement through the fabric of the club.
The final recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the legendary figures in the Donegal Junior League.
Rathmullan woman Mary McAteer is the ‘First Lady’ of Junior soccer in Donegal. She served as Registrar and Treasurer in the Donegal League and was Treasurer during the development works at The Diamond Park in Ballyare. Her foresight was one of the main reasons for the development. She was a one-woman club in Rathmullan for much of the 1980s and when the club rejoined the Donegal League in the early 1990s, she was the Honorary President.
Her sons Declan, Frank, Liam and Kevin turned out for Rathmullan Celtic and she was honoured herself with a lifetime contribution award in 2007 by her club.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS – 2016/17 SEASON
Player of the Year Awards
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division – Eamon Cannon (Glenea United)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One – Calvin Bradley (Cappry Rovers)
CT Ball Division Two – Damien Glackin (Ballybofey United)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division – Garvan Grieve (Glencar Celtic)
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division – Keith Nelis (Castlefin Celtic)
Classic Hardware Golden Boot Award Winners
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division – JP Malley (Castlefin Celtic)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One – Calvin Bradley (Cappry Rovers)
CT Ball Division Two – Damien Glackin (Ballybofey United)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division – Garvan Grieve (Glencar Celtic)
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division – Keith Nelis (Castlefin Celtic)
George McMullan Fair Play Award
Arranmore United
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Pat McGinty (St Catherine’s)
Liam Porter (Raphoe Town)
Hugh Rodgers (Arranmore United)
Mary McAteer (Rathmullan Celtic)
Manager of the Year
Anthony McCafferty (Glenea United)
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Winners – Glenea United
Runners-up – Drumoghill FC
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Winners – Cappry Rovers
Runners-up – Donegal Town
CT Ball Division Two
Winners – Ballybofey United
Runners-up – Dunkineely Celtic
The Brian McCormick Cup
Winners – Ballybofey United
Runners-up – Rathmullan Celtic
Brian McCormick Area Shield
Gweedore Area – Keadue Rovers; Donegal Area – St Catherine’s; Lifford Area – Ballybofey United; Letterkenny Area – Rathmullan Celtic.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Winners – Glencar Celtic
Runners-up – Orchard FC
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Winners – Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Runners-up – Glenea United Reserves
The Voodoo Venue Cup
Winners – Arranmore United
Runners-up – Strand Rovers
