The launch of the 2023 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards happened yesterday night within the Mount Errigal Resort. The occasion doubled as a celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 1983 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards, honouring the winners of that 12 months’s ceremony.
The 1983 awards have been offered on the Milford Inn, and this 12 months’s launch occasion marked the fortieth anniversary of that momentous event. Among the many 17 winners of 1983 was Dungloe man Vincent Bonner, who obtained each the Total and Motorsport accolades. Sadly, three of the 1983 award winners have handed away since: John McLaughlin (April 2011), John Campbell (October 2022), and Cyril O’Boyle (August 2017).
The launch occasion additionally served because the launch of the 2023 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards, with athletics legend Danny McDaid being honoured with the duty of launching the celebrated occasion. McDaid himself was the Total Donegal Sports activities Star Award winner in 1979 and has additionally been bestowed with the Freedom of Donegal.
WATCH: Danny McDaid spoke with Donegal Every day’s Charlie Collins about his recollections of the events down by the years:
The 2023 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards will happen on Friday, January 26, within the Mount Errigal Resort.
This 12 months’s particular visitor is none apart from Donegal GAA staff supervisor Jim McGuinness.
Tickets can be found for buy from the Mount Errigal Resort at a price of €33 for adults and €20 for main school-aged kids. Tickets are on sale now from the Mount Errigal Resort.
For additional data on the Donegal Sports activities Star Awards go to donegalsportsstarawards.ie or go to Fb donegalsports.starawards and Twitter @DLsportstars.
WATCH: Donegal Sports activities Star Awards chairperson Grace Boyle instructed Donegal Every day’s Charlie Collins that the occasion is stronger than ever and the presence of Jim McGuinness on the evening will assure one other nice night.
Trying again on the achievements of the 1983 Award Winners:
- Kevin McBrearty – Athletics
The 1983 athletics winner was Kevin McBrearty then a member of South Donegal Harriers. In 1983 the massive success for Kevin McBrearty was profitable the Irish U20 Javelin title with a throw of 56.56m and he repeated that success the next 12 months. He additionally gained the Irish U23 Javelin titles in 1984 and 1985.
Within the Nationwide, Monitor and Subject League within the 1980’s Kevin loved success with Tir Conaill AC. In a 5 12 months interval he was a part of a staff that secured prime three finishes and at last have been outright Division 1 winners and gained promotion to the Premier League. Kevin was joined in these successes by one other of our 1983 winners Vincent Breslin.
In 1988 Kevin McBrearty set a brand new Donegal javelin file with a throw of 60m on the BLE Decathlon Finals in Belfield. That file stood till July 2019 when Lifford-Strabane AC’s Gareth Crawford throw of 64.12 metres on the Nationwide Senior Championships on the Morton Stadium. McBrearty really broke the file twice that day with a second throw of 66.01 metres.
Kevin McBrearty additionally gained the Donegal Sports activities Star Athletics Award in 1984. Kevin was inducted into the Donegal Athletics Board’s Corridor of Fame in October 2022 on the annual awards occasion within the Bayview Resort in Killybegs.
- Hugh Doherty – Boxing
The following sport to be honoured this night is boxing and the winner in 1983 was Hugh Doherty from Buncrana. It was Hugh’s second time to take the award having gained it first in 1980. On his approach to the Ulster Remaining that 12 months Hugh’s heroics made nationwide media headlines. Well being and security wouldn’t permit it these days however again then all was on the in the future. He gained a preliminary, quarter-final and semi-final contests and afterward the newspaper headlines named him ‘Hat-trick Hugh’.
In 1983 the spotlight was profitable the Irish Senior Middleweight title on the Nationwide Stadium the place he defeated Glen Malone of the Phoenix Membership. It was a detailed arduous contest however Hugh Doherty nonetheless took the title by the use of a unanimous choice. Simply after that he emigrated to the USA and skilled with the legendary Irish boxer Sean Mannion. He had just a few fights on the beginner circuit earlier than returning dwelling a 12 months later. Whereas he says the one was not turning skilled, Hugh nonetheless had a distinguished beginner boxing profession that he could be very happy with.
3 John Campbell – Clay Pigeon Capturing
Clay Pigeon Capturing was an integral a part of the Donegal Sports activities Star Awards from the beginning in 1976 and winner in 1983 was John Campbell from Ballybofey. John sadly handed away in October 2022. John’s son Ciaran accepted the presentation.
John Campbell It was the beginning of a four-in-a-row for John. He had beforehand additionally gained a three-in-a-row in from 1978 to 80’. He took the Clay Pigeon class a complete of eight occasions. In 1982 John was topped the Total Donegal Sports activities Star Award winner and simply a few years in the past he was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 2016.
5 Martin McHugh – GAA (accepted by son Ryan)
The winner in 1983 was Martin McHugh. It was the Kilcar man’s third successive GAA Sports activities Star GAA Award. One of many undoubted highlights of that 12 months for the Bavan man was being a member of the Donegal staff that gained the Ulster Senior Soccer Championship title defeating Cavan within the decider in Clones. The opposite very important spotlight was later that 12 months when he gained the primary of his two All-Star Awards.
The 1983 Ulster title triumph was solely the third ever for Donegal. The “Wee man from Kilcar” scored 0–7 of Donegal’s 1–14 complete in that decider.
When Martin’s son Ryan gained an All-Star in 2016 he grew to become the third member of the household to do after his dad and brother Mark. The Donegal Sports activities Star Awards Committee recognised the massive significance of that achievement by presenting Martin, Mark and Ryan with a Sporting Acknowledgement Award that 12 months. That made it a complete of 5 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards for Martin McHugh which additionally included a three-in-a-row from 81 to 83 and once more 1985. The three McHugh males have amassed a outstanding 9 Donegal Sports activities Star Awards.
Martin McHugh in 1992 was named the Texaco Footballer of the Yr. He’s additionally the proud holder of 4 senior membership championship medals with Kilcar.
6 Mick McGinley – Golf (accepted by daughter Karen)
The following winner within the 1983 class is Mick McGinley for his successes in golf. Mick McGinley honed his abilities on the golf course at Dunfanaghy and on the time he was in good firm with future GAA star Sean Ferriter.
He would go onto change into a one-handicapper and performed senior championships in Eire in addition to beginner competitions in Spain and Portugal. Mick would have an everyday within the South of Eire Championships. He handed down his love of golf to his son Paul who was Eire’s first ever Ryder Cup captain when Europe performed the USA at Gleneagles in Scotland in September 2013.
Mick McGinley was additionally a gifted GAA participant and was on the St Eunan’s Faculty 1956 MacRory Cup-winning staff. He gained an Ulster Minor Soccer Championship title with Donegal additionally in 1956 and went onto play for the Donegal county staff between 1959 and 1961.
Mick labored in telecommunications and was head of the extremely profitable Sigma Wi-fi Firm.
- Anne Marie Duffy – Martial Arts Judo
The following 1983 class this night is Martial Arts. The winner that 12 months for her successes in judo was Ann Marie Duffy from Ballybofey. Ann-Marie gained an All-Eire title that 12 months and in addition represented her nation at worldwide degree. She was launched to the game by her dad Charlie who was a coach on the Fort Judo Membership and one other mentor of hers was John Sweeney. She was the primary lady in Donegal to get a Black Dan Belt following within the footsteps of her dad who had been the primary male to take action within the County. Judo was an enormous sport in Donegal within the Eighties with numerous golf equipment and a great deal of competitors. Anne-Marie Duffy was vastly profitable in these years profitable a few All-Irelands and representing Eire at UK competitions.
- Paul McGlinchey – Rugby (accepted by his daughter Rachel)
The following 1983 winner this night comes from the game of rugby. And that’s Paul McGlinchey of Letterkenny Rugby Membership. Paul McGlinchey was one in all Donegal’s best ever gamers of the oval sport. He realized his rugby abilities at Clongowes Wooden Faculty in Kildare. When he got here again dwelling he joined the Letterkenny Membership and starred as a centre for some years earlier than becoming a member of Metropolis of Derry and later Sligo. Paul was very well-known in the local people because the proprietor of the Golden Grill Nightclub which was began by his father Bernard who was a Cllr and Senator.
- Gerry Coyle – Soccer
The winner of the soccer award in 1983 was Gerry Coyle of Gweedore Celtic.
It was a Gweedore Celtic journey to New York that gave Gerry his first style of life within the Large Apple on the age of 24. He determined to remain for six months and 37 years later he’s nonetheless there. Gerry has been dwelling for the festive interval and we’re delighted to have him right here this night.
The midfielder was a key man within the Donegal Junior League’s historic Oscar Traynor Cup Remaining victory over Dublin’s Athletic Union League. It’s the solely time that Donegal has gained that prestigious nationwide competitors within the Junior League’s 53 12 months historical past.
Gerry Coyle was starring for a profitable Gweedore Celtic facet on the time and that was clearly demonstrated by the membership having 5 gamers on that Richie Kelly managed profitable staff together with Hughie Rua Gallagher, Donnchadh MacNiallais, Doalty Sweeney and the late Pat Doohan.
The ultimate was performed at Finn Park on April 18, 1983. With the guests 2-1 up within the second half when Johnny Kelly who can be with this night equalised for a second time with Gerry Coyle offering the help. It went to a shoot-out with Doalty Sweeney changing the profitable penalty On account of that Gerry gained a world Junior Cap taking part in for the Republic of Eire towards Scotland. He did the treble with Gweedore Celtic in 1983 because the staff claimed the League, High 4 and the IAWS Cup.
He additionally had a few spells at senior degree with Finn Harps.
- Sinead McLaughlin – Finest Sports activities Woman Secondary College
Sinead McLaughlin was an elite athlete in that period along with her faculty and in addition with Finn Valley Athletic Membership. She was a nationwide champion and excelled within the lengthy soar and in addition competed within the excessive soar and the 100m. Sinead was a member of a Loreto Letterkenny staff that gained a Nationwide Colleges title. In 1982 she ran a 100m in 13.90 seconds. She went on to set Donegal information in each Lengthy Bounce and Excessive Bounce in 1988. Sinead McLaughlin’s feats in each disciplines nonetheless ranks her within the prime three within the County.
- Vincent Breslin Best Sports activities Boy (accepted by Kevin McBrearty)
In 1983 the Finest Sports activities Boy was Vincent Breslin, Abbey Vocational College, Donegal City
Vinny is at present residing in Atlantic Metropolis, USA. The Committee did obtain a brief message despatched by Vinny from the US which reads.
“Sorry to say that I’m not capable of make it over for the awards evening. Thanks for reaching out to me. Hope you all have an amazing night. I’ll keep up a correspondence with Kevin McBrearty and Eamon Harvey once I’m dwelling in the summertime.”
At simply 17 years of age Vinny Breslin was hitting the nationwide headlines. He was the winner of the Nationwide Junior Lengthy Bounce title. He additionally gained the Irish Colleges Lengthy Bounce gold medal and completed second to the late nice Hugo Duggan when the Milford man gained the final of his seven Senior Lengthy Bounce titles. Vinny had really crushed Hugo Duggan various occasions earlier that season simply exhibiting the expertise that the younger Donegal City man had at the moment. Vinny additionally gained a junior worldwide cap. A subsequent harm curtained his progress within the sport. And after going to College he emigrated to the USA the place he has been residing for over 30 years.
- Eamon Harvey – Finest Sports activities Instructor (accepted by his daughter)
The winner in 1983 was Eamon Harvey, Abbey Vocational College, Donegal City
Sadly, Eamon can’t be with us tonight as he’s at present within the Algarve on an athletics coaching camp.
Eamon Harvey was a sports activities trainer on the Abbey and coached each Kevin McBrearty and Vincent Breslin who’ve additionally been honoured right here tonight. Their successes have been achieved with Eamon’s steerage. Eamon went on to teach at worldwide degree and was with the Irish staff at 4 Olympic Video games. He went on to teach Irish Para-Olympic groups and was in Atlanta in 1996 when St. Johnston lady Bridie Lynch led out the Irish staff within the parade in entrance of 80,000 folks. He had the honour of teaching Lynch to a gold medal at these video games.
13 PCC Falcarragh Group accepted by Paul Anthony McFadden
PCC Falcarragh bought the judges nod after profitable the All-Eire Colleges Soccer Remaining in 1982 which noticed them go on the next 12 months to characterize their nation on the World Finals in Belgium. The PCC staff went all the best way to the semi-finals the place they solely misplaced 1-0 to a Swedish faculty by advantage of a controversial purpose. It was a memorable journey as PCC certified from their group with a win and a draw. They went on to defeat a Belgium faculty within the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out. After defeat to Sweden, PCC performed Turkey within the third/4th place play-off solely shedding on penalties
14 Royal and Prior Raphoe – Finest Secondary College – accepted by Principal Howard Welch
The Royal and Prior was rewarded in 1983 for a string of successes in a wide range of sports activities together with hockey and badminton together with athletic occasions together with sprints, excessive soar lengthy soar and discus. Among the many names that have been excelling for the college have been Grace Fields, Richard Eaton, Charlie Lapsley, Liffey Roulstone, Sarah Devenney, Judy Robinson, Heather McKinney and Pauline Crossan. Among the many academics concerned within the teaching finish of the successes have been John Merrick, Mrs Lemmon, Raymond Dunne and the Principal on the time Edward Cookman
The Royal and Prior continues to pleasure itself on its sporting achievements and its dedication to selling the advantages train and staff sports activities can supply their college students.
Royal and Prior Raphoe Finest Secondary College Award winner.
15 John McLaughlin – Appreciation, Boxing
The Appreciation award in 1983 went to the late John McLaughlin, a person who gave a lot to the game of boxing over a lifetime. I’ll ask his son Jack to come back up and settle for the presentation.
John McLaughlin got here from Carndonagh to Letterkenny within the late Thirties and instantly bought concerned coaching native boxers. He grew to become a family title within the sport throughout Donegal, Ulster and all through the nation.
John skilled Malachy Value, the primary Letterkenny man to win an Ulster and a Nationwide title in 1957. To at the present time Malachy Value has little question that the Shoemaker was the primary purpose he and different native boxers’ loved success at Ulster and Nationwide degree. In a very voluntary capability John juggled the calls for of working arduous to take care of the household wants with placing in a lifetime of coaching fighters at Letterkenny Boxing Membership. In that he had the complete assist of his spouse Susie. Having his sons starring within the ring additionally helped with Jack happening to win a nationwide title.
John McLaughlin was certainly a father determine to many native boxers for shut on 5 many years.
16 Cyril O’Boyle – Corridor of Fame, Athletics accepted by Patsy McGonagle
The Corridor of Fame winner in 1983 was the late Cyril O’Boyle, an athletics legend. Born in Belcruit, Cyril gained the North of Eire Senior and Junior Cross Nation Championships in the identical 12 months and in addition the Irish equivalents in the identical 12 months. In 1953 he gained the nationwide one-mile title and a 12 months later added the four-mile honour to his title. Cyril spent a few years with Strabane AC and and in addition lived in Scotland for some time the place there have been additionally athletic successes with Clydesdale Harriers.
In 2001 Cyril was ranked quantity six within the World within the 75 age-group 10,000 metres observe rating lists with a time of 46:54.93 which he ran in Brisbane, Australia. Within the World Cross Nation in 2001 he was fourth within the cross nation in a time of 39:20.
Cyril was named on the Donegal staff of the century in 2000 and was honoured with the inaugural Corridor of Fame award in 2016 by the Donegal Athletics Board.
17 Vincent Bonner – Total and Motorsport
The winner of the Motorsport class and the Total Donegal Sport Star Award in 1983 was Vincent Bonner. His navigator that 12 months was Seamus McGettigan.
The standout success for Bonner was profitable the Donegal Worldwide Rally. It was very particular because it was the one time that the Dungloe man was to take the title. He had come shut a few occasions however a weekend in June 1983 was to vary all that as Vincent and Seamus McGettigan clinched the title after the Atlantic Drive Stage of their Works Escort that had been purchased from Bertie Fisher. They completed 29 seconds forward of Austin McHale. It had been a bother free weekend for Bonner however not so for McHale. However, nonetheless the Dub was at a stage simply eight seconds behind Bonner.
Vincent Bonner’s first ever occasion was the Rally of the Rosses after the Donegal Motor Membership was based within the early Seventies by a bunch of males together with Austin Frazer and Phonsie McElwee. All of it happened following a dialog with Jackie Harris in Bonner’s Dungloe storage. Each Vincent and Jackie have been in Minis in an occasion that was held at the side of the Mary from Dungloe Pageant.
Image Particular: Donegal Sports activities Stars of 1983 honoured as particular visitor unveiled for January occasion was final modified: January ninth, 2024 by
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