Leitrim native and Dublin All-Ireland winning gaelic footballer Eilish O’Dowd was named the overall Leitrim Sports Star of the Year at Saturday night’s gala ceremony in Lough Rynn Castle.
The Awards celebrated the county’s sporting achievement across 2023.
Ballinamore’s O’Dowd, who lives and works in the capital as a teacher, played an instrumental role in Dublin regaining the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship title last August.
O’Dowd is currently in Australia where she is set to play Australian Rules football with the Sydney Giants later this year.
Her mum Sheila accepted the award on Eilish’s behalf on Saturday night.
She spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Austin O’Callaghan.
Leitrim Sports Star Award Winners 2023
Overall winner
Eilish O’Dowd (gaelic football)
Team of the Year
Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s LGFA
Club of the Year
Drumshanbo Athletic Club
Senior Sports Individual (shared)
Muireann Devaney (Leitrim & Sligo Rovers) & Dearbhaile Beirne (Peamount Utd)
Junior Sports Individual (shared)
Diarmaid O’Connell (Carrick rugby, Sligo Grammar & Ireland U18s) & Darren Cox (Annaduff GAA)
Coach of the Year
Jason Clancy (Sean McDermott boxing gym)
Juvenile Team of the Year
Carrick-on-Shannon Rugby Club U16 team
School Sports Teacher of the Year
Catherine McGowan (St Joseph’s NS, Leitrim village)
Volunteer of the Year
Josephine Cox (Leitrim Special Olympics)
Hall of Fame
Declan Darcy
Special Achievement
Holly Mitchell (St Claire’s PS, Manorhamilton)
Special Achievement
Liam Cox (Endurance athlete)
