Letterkenny jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was named as the Overall winner at the Donegal Sports Star Awards in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Friday night.

Five years ago at the age of 16, Dylan was signed up by top trainer Joseph Patrick O’Brien. He was  champion Irish apprentice jockey in 2021 with 48 winners and as a result won an emerging talent award from Horse Racing Ireland.

He won his first Group 1 race at the Curragh in September 2022, a ride for which he won a Horse Racing Ireland flat achievement award. He retained his apprentice title with 49 winners in 2022.

But, tonight Dylan Browne McMonagle is being honoured for his achievements in 2024. In only his second year as a professional, Dylan secured his first Royal Ascot winner. In August he had a dream debut race at Goodwood winning the Richmond Stakes. Dylan followed that up with a big  Group 1 success in Germany.

The international triumphs continued for the Letterkenny jockey with two winners at Deauville in France.  The 21-year-old was also first home at Saint-Cloud in Paris.  In September he claimed the 300th winner of his career.

Dylan’s fine season was  recognised with a nomination in the ‘Flat’ category for the Horse Racing Ireland Awards in November.

Browne McMonagle beat out Peadar Mogan, Liam McKinney, Mark Coyle, Ryan MacHugh and Mark English, who were all on the shortlist for the Overall award.

 

The full list of winners are as follows.

ATHLETICS

Mark English, Finn Valley A.C.

 

BOXING

Cahir Gormley, Illies Golden Gloves A.B.C.

 

COACH / MANAGER

Gavin Cullen, Cockhill Celtic F.C.

 

DARTS

Gerard McGlynn, Glenfin

 

EQUESTRIAN

Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny

 

GAELIC FOOTBALL

Peadar Mogan, St. Naul’s

 

GYMNASTICS

Lilliane Becht, Citadel Gymnastics

 

HOCKEY

Luke Witherow, Banbridge Hockey Club

 

HURLING

Liam Óg McKinney, Burt

 

MARTIAL ARTS

Valentin Ciobanu, Rillon Gracie Ireland, Letterkenny

 

MOTOR SPORT

Ryan MacHugh, Frosses

 

SPECIAL ATHLETE

Eoin Rooney,  Nemo Special Olympics Swim Club

Sarah Bradley, Jump ‘n’ Jacks Special Olympics Gymnastics Club

Finn Harps League of Ireland Down Syndrome Futsal Team

Anna Hennessy

Daniel O’Reilly

David Crawford

Hughie Sweeney

Kealan Doherty

Lianne Kelly

Meg Carr

Shaun McCosker

PARA-ATHLETE

Elsie Friel, Ireland Women’s Cerebral Palsy Team

Teagan O’Reilly, Drumbar United F.C.

 

PROFESSIONAL SPORT ACHIEVEMENT

Mark Coyle, Shelbourne F.C.

 

ROWING

Niamh Doogan, Kincasslagh Rowing Club

 

SEA ANGLING

James Donaghey, Lough Swilly Sea Angling Club

 

SOCCER

Garbhan Friel, Cockhill Celtic F.C.

 

SWIMMING

Maeve Mc Clean, City of Derry Swimming Club

 

TRIATHLON

Mark McGinley, Letterkenny 24-7 Triathlon Club

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY

Oisín Ó’ hÍr, Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Moville

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL

Katie & Molly Ní Ghallachóir, Scoil Náisiúnta An Choimín, An Chlochán

 

SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS BOY

Odhran McBrearty, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar

 

SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS GIRL

Erin Friel, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny

 

APPRECIATION

Eugene Gallagher, Seán MacCumhaills

 

CLUB

Loughros Point Rowing Club, Ardara

 

TEAM

Cockhill Celtic Senior Men’s Team

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL (SMALL <100)

Scoil Náisiúnta An Choimín, An Chlochán

 

 

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL (LARGE >100)

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER

John McFeely,  Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Carndonagh

 

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town

 

SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEACHER

Paddy Carr, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana

 

SPIORAD NA nGAEL

CLG Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin

 

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Sadie Duffy, Illies Golden Gloves A.B.C.

 

BRENDAN MCDAID MEMORIAL SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

Richie Kelly, Killea

 

SPORTING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Charlie Collins, Letterkenny

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Doe Amateur Swimming Club

Donegal Men’s County Darts Team

 

HALL OF FAME

Patsy McGonagle, Finn Valley A.C.

 

OVERALL DONEGAL SPORTS STAR 2024

Dylan Browne McMonagle, Letterkenny