50th edition of Donegal Sports Star Awards set to take place

BY MATTHEW WILSON

THE excitement within the county is building ahead of the Donegal Sports Star Awards which takes place at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.

The Annual event recognises individuals within the county that have excelled in their sport over the last calendar year.

A huge effort goes into the organising of the event each term, with the committee working tirelessly over the last number of months to make sure everything is in order for the night.

Declan Kerr is among the chief organisers for the Donegal Sports Star and he told the Donegal News that the preparations for Friday night’s event are going well.

“The preparations are going well, there’s still bits and pieces to do. It’s a huge event, we’re expecting around 600 people at the banquet which is about the norm now over the last few years.

“Everybody is putting the shoulder to the wheel now to make sure that everything is ready to go for 7pm on Friday night.”

There is an abundance of awards handed out on the night, with 37 different categories recognising people’s achievements in their respective sports.

Only three award winners have been announced to date- Caitriona Jennings (International Recognition), Niamh McLaughlin (Brendan McDaid Memorial Special Achievement) and Eamonn Harvey, who will become the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame.

The rest of the people nominated will have to eagerly wait until the night to see if they will be the recipient of the award in their category.

“We have 37 categories, there’s so many different sports that we recognise every year”, said Kerr. “We always recognise the mainstream sports like GAA, soccer and athletics.

“But we do a full range of other sports that probably don’t get a whole lot of media attention during the year but they’re all fully deserving of recognition.

“We also have the para awards for people with disabilities while also having a special athlete award as well. We also honour and recognise volunteers so we have the appreciation category as well.”

The Donegal Sports Star Awards is a memorable occasion to commence the sporting year and this one is set to be a special night, with it being the event’s 50th Anniversary.

The first edition took place back in 1976 and 50 years later, it’s still going strong and continuing to grow in size and stature year upon year.

Declan Kerr expressed that it’s set to be a special event, with a couple of links still remaining present from the committee that had the vision to start the awards night to the one that is in place right now.

“This is a very special event for the Donegal Sports Star Awards because it’s the 50th anniversary. It started 1976, the first awards were held on the 26th of November at the Milford Inn so 50 years on we’re still there. Caps off to the people that had the vision to start the awards in the first place.

“The baton has been handed on to different committees over the years and now we’re at the 50th so it’s extra special. One of our committee members, Paul McDaid, his father was a founding member, Brendan.

“When Brendan passed away a number of years ago Paul took over as secretary. That’s one link that we have from day one right up to the 2025 awards on Friday night.”

The Donegal Sports Star Awards welcomes a special guest each year and Brian Kerr will be the attendee at this Friday’s banquet at the Mount Errigal Hotel.

Brian Kerr is a household name in Irish soccer and previously managed the Republic of Ireland national team between 2003 and 2005.

The Donegal Sports Star PRO discussed that they’re delighted to be welcoming Brian to Donegal on Friday and they’re looking forward to talking to him on the night.

“We’re delighted and when we announced his name at the start of the month the sporting public certainly welcomed that name being announced. We’re looking forward to hearing from Brian on the night.

“Brian has had a checkered career in football, at club level with St Patrick’s Athletic and at International level with the Irish International youth teams before managing the Republic of Ireland Senior Team.

“Brian was also manager of the Irish Technical Colleges Team which would now be known as the ATUs. A number of Donegal players would’ve played under him so we’ll be touching on some of that when he comes to the Mount Errigal Hotel on Friday night.”

This landmark occasion is set to be a brilliant evening and Declan stated that there will be commemorative booklets on each table looking back at the history of the event.

Himself and the committee are looking forward to the ceremony and are hopeful that everyone in attendance will have an enjoyable night.

“We have a 50th Anniversary commemorative booklet on the tables on Friday night. That charts the history of the awards from 1976 right up to 2025. It’s a special night, it’s a special night every year but it’s extra special this year. We’re just looking forward to it now and hopefully everyone will have an enjoyable night.”