Rathmullan jockey Oisin Orr has been named the 2023 Donegal Sportstar of the Year.
Orr was a popular choice as more than 500 people gathered for the annual ceremony at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.
This is the second time Oisin has won the award after also being named the 2020 Donegal Sportstar of the Year.
HIs father Raymon (pictured above) collected the award for Oisin who is overseas.
Special guest on the night was Donegal GAA manager Jim McGuinness who spoke openly with host Declan Kerr on the night.
McGuinness, fresh from the training ground in Convoy, said he was delighted to be asked to be special guest on the night.
He gushed “Sport crosses so many divides. I met a world champion in karate there and met a young man who played soccer for Ireland. That’s the diversity you meet here. There is so much positivity in the room.”
There were many special moments on the night.
Daniel O’Reilly of Letterkenny, David Crawford of Donegal Town and Hughie Sweeney, Gweedore
GAA legend Tom Connaghan, from Donegal Town, was inducted into the Hall of Fame after he led Donegal to their first All-Ireland U21 title in 1982.
Finn Valley AC coach Peadar McGranaghan and Gweedore United FC’s Padraig Mac Aodha were both given appreciation awards.
Donegal Town’s Tom Connaghan, who guided Donegal to their first All-Ireland U21 title in 1982, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In some of the other awards, Oisin Gallen picked up the GAA award while Caolan McFadden of Cranford AC won the Youth Award.
There was a huge cheer on the night when the Special Recognition Award went to The Donegal Dragons.
The full list of winners is as follows:
ATHLETICS
Kelly Mc Grory, Tír Chonaill A.C.
BADMINTON
Rachael Darragh, Raphoe
BASKETBALL
Lauren Foy, Ballyshannon 88ers Basketball Club
BOXING
Danny Duffy, Raphoe A.B.C.
COACH / MANAGER
Martin Regan, CLG Naomh Conaill
CUE SPORTS
Ben McMenamin, Raphoe
CYCLING
Jamie Meehan, Mountcharles
DARTS
Adrian Devine, Buncrana
EQUESTRIAN
Oisin Orr, Rathmullan
SPECIAL ATHLETE
Anna Hennessy, Letterkenny
Daniel O’Reilly, Letterkenny
David Crawford, Donegal Town
Hughie Sweeney, Gweedore
Vicki McGill, North West Special Olympics Club
GAELIC FOOTBALL
Oisin Gallen, Sean MacCumhaills
HOCKEY
Wendy Patterson, Raphoe Hockey Club
HURLING
Gerry Gilmore, Setanta
MARTIAL ARTS
Erin McCole, Ulster Karate-Do Federation
MOTOR CYCLING
Richard Kerr, Kilmacrennan
MOTOR SPORT
Ryan MacHugh, Frosses & Declan Boyle, Glenties
PARA-ATHLETE
Alan Patterson, Killygordon
ROWING
Michael O’Boyle, Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara
RUGBY
Sadhbh Mc Grath, Cooke R.C. / Ulster
SEA ANGLING
Orlagh McLean, Lough Swilly Sea Angling Club
SOCCER
Erin McLaughlin, Peamount United
SURFING
Bea Greenberg, Donegal Bay Board Riders
SWIMMING
Cora Rooney, Enniskillen Lakelanders
PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY
Noah Mc Guire, Scoil an Chaisil, Gleann Cholm Cille
PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL
Jasmine Barrett Doherty, Scoil Mhuire, Milford
SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY
Odhran McBrearty, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL
Keri Loughrey, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
APPRECIATION
Padraig Mac Aodha, Gweedore United F.C.
Peadar McGranaghan, Finn Valley A.C.
CLUB
Finn Valley A.C.
TEAM
Cockhill Celtic Ulster Senior League Team
PRIMARY SCHOOL (SMALL <100)
Scoil Mhuire, Doire Beaga
PRIMARY SCHOOL (LARGE >100)
St. Aengus N.S., Bridgend
PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER
Ciaran Gallagher, Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin, Letterkenny
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny
SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER
Michelle McDaid, Crana College, Buncrana
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Donegal Short Mat Bowls Team
BRENDAN MCDAID MEMORIAL SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
Gartan Open Water Swimmers North Channel Swim Team
SPORTING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Joe Barr, Newtowncunningham
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Donegal Dragons
YOUTH
Caolan McFadden, Loreto Community School, Milford / Cranford A.C.
HALL OF FAME
Tom Conaghan, Donegal Town
OVERALL DONEGAL SPORTS STAR 2023 SHORTLIST
Oisin Orr, Rathmullan
