European Athletics Championships 800 metres bronze medallist Mark English was named as the 2022 Donegal Sports Star of the Year at Friday night’s awards ceremony in Letterkenny.
The Letterkenny man collected the overall ‘gong’ for the third time in his career and took the top honour from a shortlist that also included ompetition from a shortlist that also included soccer players Amber Barrett and Emma Doherty, endurance athlete Catriona Jennings, LGFA Footballer of the Year Niamh McLaughlin and jockey Dylan Browne-Monagle.
As well as winning bronze at the Euros, English won an eight national senior track & field 800m title and ran the fastest championship 800 metres ever by an Irish athlete at last summer’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon (1.44.76).
English was unable to attend Friday nights ceremony as he is training overseas – his award was collected by his dad Joe on his son’s behalf.
Sligo Rovers teenage striker, and Buncrana native, Emma Doherty won the Soccer award.
The Hall of Fame Award on the night was presented to 92-year-old Ian McGarvey, who captain Swilly Rovers to an historic FAI Junior Cup title at Dalymount Park in 1962.
There were multiple awards for Donegal Bay Rowing Club with coach Patrick Brady collecting an Appreciation award – while the team accolade went to Grace Masterson and Meabh McNamara for their World under-19 Beach Sprint Championship exploits in 2022.
Eamonn Kelly’s exploits in the rally car deservedly earned the Frosses man the motorsport award – while Coláiste Colmcille student Lucy McGlynn took the Secondary School award for here athletics performances for the Ballyshannon school over the past 12 months.
The awards on the night, in front of a packed house at the Mount Errigal Hotel, were presented by the special guest of honour, Shay Given.
Here’s the list of main award winners:
Overall Donegal Sports Star of Year 2022
Mark English (Athletics)
Hall of Fame Award
Ian McGarvey (Soccer – Swilly Rovers)
Historic
Amber Barrett – Soccer
Appreciation Award
Patrick Brady – Donegal Bay Rowing Club
Team Award
Donegal Bay Rowing Club (Grace Masterson & Meabh McNamara)
Club Award
Bonagee United – Soccer
International Achievement
Catriona Jennings – Letterkenny (Athletics)
International Recognition (Team)
Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
Athletics
Mark English – Finn Valley AC
Basketball
Killian Gribben – Letterkenny Blaze
Surfing
Maia Monaghan – Rossnowlagh
Swimming
Mona McSharry – Marlin’s Swimming Club
Motorsport
Eamonn Kelly – Frosses
Rowing
Patrick Boomer – Loughros Point RC, Ardara
Gaelic Football
Niamh McLaughlin – Termon
Golf
Ryan Griffin – Ballybofey & Stranorlar/Rosapenna
Hockey
James Corry – Lisnagarvey
Martial Arts
Darren Kelly – MMA
Skateboarding
Jamie Griffin – Convoy
Equestrian
Dylan Brown-McMonagle – Racing
Secondary School – boy award
Fintan Dewhirst – St Columba’s Stranorlar & Tir Chonaill AC
Secondary School – girl award
Lucy McGlynn – Coláiste Colmcille Ballyshannon
Coach/Manager
Rory McShane – Letterkenny Boxing Club
