Talented jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle has been named the Overall Winner of the Donegal Sports Star Award for 2024.
As Dylan could not make last night’s event at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny, his proud dad John picked up the award in his honour.
More than 500 people attended last night’s event which was another huge success.
Special guest on the night was former Olympian athlete David Gillick.
But the night belonged to Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Dylan’s citation from the judges read “Five years ago at the age of 16, Dylan was signed up by top trainer Joseph Patrick O’Brien. He was champion Irish apprentice jockey in 2021 with 48 winners and as a result won an emerging talent award from Horse Racing Ireland.
“He won his first Group 1 race at the Curragh in September 2022, a ride for which he won a Horse Racing Ireland flat achievement award. He retained his apprentice title with 49 winners in 2022.”
“Tonight Dylan Browne McMonagle is being honoured for his achievements in 2024.”
The following is a list of all the winners from last night’s event.
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.
2
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
3
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
