BRENDAN Boyce has been named as the 44th Donegal Sports Star of the Year.
The Finn Valley AC race walker was chosen as the 2019 recipient tonight’s awards ceremony in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.
By Chris McNulty at The Mount Errigal Hotel. Pictures by Geraldine Diver
Boyce finished a remarkable sixth place in the men’s 50k race walk at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.
The Finn Valley AC man came through the piercing temperatures to finish in four hours, seven minutes and 46 seconds.
The Milford native – also tonight’s athletics winner – also secured his place at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Former Irish race walker Rob Heffernan, the 2013 World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, was the special guest for the night. Heffernan – who is Boyce’s coach – presented the Donegal athlete with his award.
Over 600 people attended with 40 awards, drawn from 180 nominees.
For a full list of award winners, check out our live blog: http://www.donegalsporthub.com/live-updates-follow-the-2019-donegal-sports-star-awards-here/
The awards were again held in association with Donegal County Council.
“It’s a great privilege to be here. We’re proud of our long-standing association of these awards,” Cathaoirleach of DCC, Cllr Nicholas Crossan, said.
“I’m honoured to acknowledge and recognise the value of sport in Donegal. Sport is the only thing that joins us together and instills a sense of pride within us.
“Behind each nominee, there is a network family, friends, coaches. clubs and volunteers. These people are the lifeblood of sport. Without their drive and commitment, we wouldn’t have the calibre of sport that we have.
“I am sure that DCC will continue this sponsorship.”
Donegal GAA Legend Sean Ferriter was inducted into the Donegal Sports Star Awards Hall of Fame.
Donegal’s senior men’s GAA team won the Team Award while manager Declan Bonner took the coach prize and captain Michael Murphy was the Gaelic football award winner.
Murphy won his third All-Star gong in 2019 after leading Donegal to Ulster SFC glory.
Murphy captained Donegal to the Ulster title – their fifth of his captaincy – and also led the Tir Chonaill men to promotion from Division 2, winning the final against Meath.
In 2019, the Raphoe ABC welterweight won the Girl 6 and Under-18 finals and went on to collect bronze at the European Youth Championships in Sofia, where she defeated Annemarie Schierle and Gulcan Arga.
For a full list of award winners, check out our live blog: http://www.donegalsporthub.com/live-updates-follow-the-2019-donegal-sports-star-awards-here/
Georgie Kelly was the soccer award winner. Tooban man Kelly hit 14 goals for Dundalk in 2019 as the Lilywhites continued their recent dominance of the League of Ireland scene. Kelly has been a big hit at Oriel Park. Kelly has bagged some important goals over the last couple of seasons.
Portsmouth footballer Ronan Curtis was given the professional sport achievement award.
The St Johnston man, a product of Kildrum Tigers’ schoolboy teams, was picked up by Portsmouth from Derry City.
Curtis hit 12 goals for Pompey last season and already this term he has bagged 13.
Curtis – the 2018 Irish U21 player of the year – has graduated to the Republic of Ireland senior squad and has been capped three times.
In a video, played on the night, he said: “I’d like to say a big congratulations to everyone on their awards. A big thanks to the Donegal Sports Star Awards committee for nominating me. To have my achievements recognised is always an honour. A big thank you to everyone in the League of Ireland for showing your love and support. Sorry I can’t be there tonight, but hopefully you all enjoy the evening.”
The International Achievement Award went to Finesse Gymnastics Club.
In July, 13 gymnasts from the Finesse Gymnastics Club represented Ireland at the World Gymnaestrada in Dornbirn Austria.
It was only the second time in World Gymnastics history that Ireland has been in attendance.
The previous month the Finesse Junior and Senior Display Teams won five out of the six possible awards at the National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown, Dublin. The Club also enjoyed a hugely successful day at the GymSTART Challenge in the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena at the National Sports Campus in Dublin in November.
The Brendan McDaid Memorial Special Achievement Award went to Manus O’Donnell from Fahan. Manus has promoted several sports in the school. Five pupils have won Donegal Sports Star Primary Schools Awards, while Georgie Kelly, Nora Stapleton came through the school.
Geraldine McLaughlin won a Sporting Acknowledgement Award after a magnificent year in 2019. McLaughlin helped Donegal to retain their second Ulster SFC title in June and was the Player of the Month. She was a Ladies All-Star nominee and also helped her club, Termon, to win back the Donegal Ladies SFC crown and went onto contest the Ulster final.
Rising Letterkenny rugby stars Charlie Worth and Mya Alcorn were given Special Recognition Awards.
For a full list of award winners, check out our live blog: http://www.donegalsporthub.com/live-updates-follow-the-2019-donegal-sports-star-awards-here/
The Everton and Ireland star was represented by family members Henry, Marie and Stephen tonight.
Coleman said: “Being asked to be an ambassador brings me back to my own early days playing and makes me realise how lucky I was to make it to the top of my sport.”
For a full list of award winners, check out our live blog: http://www.donegalsporthub.com/live-updates-follow-the-2019-donegal-sports-star-awards-here/
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