RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced today that the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award for the Player of the Donegal Championship 2023 is to be presented to Sean Mac Cumhaill player Oisín Gallen.
Cumann Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill reached this year’s championship semi-final and Gallen’s performances were central to their success. Oisín scored 1-9 in the championship quarter-final.
Gallen, 23, from Ballybofey, played his first senior club championship match for his club in 2018.
Damien Ó Dónaill from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Chairperson of the selection committee, said: “Gallen’s performances in this year’s championship were superb. He created havoc for defenders in every match this year, to the point where clubs decided to put two or possibly three men on him in an effort to keep him quiet.
“Donegal and Mac Cumhaill’s supporters will be hoping for another successful year for Gallen in 2024 and we all hope that he stays clear from injuries so that he can play with the same freedom he did in this years club championship.
“Congratulations to Oisín, and my thanks to the Donegal sports journalists who came together to make the selection for this year’s award recipient.”
The Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award is presented each year to the player of the Donegal Championship, as selected by a committee of sports journalists from the print and broadcast media in the county.
Broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh was synonymous with Donegal GAA, and the voice of Gaelic Games in that county until his untimely death in 2016. This award was established to honour his memory. Recipients to date are Michael Murphy, Mark McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ciarán Thompson, Caolan Ward and Brendan Mc Dyre.
The award was created by sculptor Redmond Herrity using Donegal Granite carved in the shape of Errigal, with an image of Séamus Mac Géidigh engraved to the front.
Oisin is pictured above by Chris Doherty.
D’fhógair RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta inniu go bhfuil Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh d’imreoir na craoibhe 2023 i nDún na nGall le bronnadh ar Oisín Gallen ó fhochumann Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill.
Chuaigh cumann Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill chomh fada le cluiche leathcheannais na contae i mbliana agus bhí taispeántais Gallen in achan cluiche ar fheabhas. D’aimsigh sé 1-9 i gcluiche amháin sa chraobh i mbliana.
Is as Bealach Féich ó dhúchas do Gallen atá 23 bliain d’aois. Ba sa bhliain 2018 a d’imir sé a chéad chluiche sa chraobh sinsir.
Dúirt Damien Ó Dónaill, Cathaoirleach Choiste Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh; “Bhí taispeántais Oisín Gallen i gcluichí craoibhe na bliana seo ar fheabhas agus chruthaigh sé deacaireachtaí d’achan fhoireann a d’imir siad i mbliana. Bhí foirne áirithe a shocraigh beirt imreoir a chur air ach bhí a chuid imeartha chomh maith sin i mbliana sa chraobh nach dtiocfaidh é a stad. Beidh lucht leannta Dhún na nGall agus Cumann Mhic Cumhaill ag súil le bliain mhór uaidh i 2024 agus na gortaithe a bhí ag cur as dó le roinnt blianta curtha uaidh aige anois.
Comhghairdeas le hOisín, agus mo bhuíochas fosta d’iriseoirí spóirt na contae seo a tháinig le chéile le buaiteoir ghradam na bliana seo a roghnú.”
Bronntar Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh gach bliain ar imreoir na craoibhe i nDún na nGall. Is iad coiste d’iriseoirí spóirt Dhún na nGall as na meáin chlóite agus craolta a dhéanann an rogha. Cailleadh an craoltóir Séamus Mac Géidigh sa bhliain 2016, fear a raibh aithne faoi leith air as feabhas a chuid tráchtaireachta ar chluichí CLG. Thionscain RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta an gradam seo ina onóir.
Go dtí seo, bronnadh an gradam ar Michael Murphy, Mark McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ciarán Thompson, Caolan Ward agus ar Brendan Mc Dyre anuraidh.
Is é an dealbhóir Redmond Herrity a chruthaigh an gradam as Cloch Eibhir Dhún na nGall i gcruth an Earagail, le pictiúr Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh greanta chun tosaigh air.
