In Pictures: Donegal get their fair share at Ocean FM Sports Awards night

Donegal got their fair share of the awards when the gongs were handed out at the Ocean FM Sports Awards night in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo on Saturday night.

A capacity crowd attended the event with 15 different awards and three nominees for each, from counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

The special guests on the night were former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool players John Aldridge and Ray Houghton with Aldridge a bit down after watching his former club beaten 3-0 earlier in the afternoon at home to Notts Forest.

They were interviewed on stage by Ocean FM Sports Editor Austin O’Callaghan and some special memories were revealed. Both guests were high in their praise for current Ireland player and Donegal man Seamus Coleman, whom they felt was central to recent results for the country.

Among the Donegal winners were Michael Murphy, who was named Male Sportsperson of the Year after returning to the Donegal squad and winning another Ulster senior championship medal as well as a fourth All-Star. His award was collected by his father, Mick, as Michael had a pre-arranged invite to the Donegal Association Dinner in London on the same night.

Michael Murphy was also nominated for the Overall Sportsperson Award, but this went to Sligo surfer Gearóid McDaid.

The other Donegal winners included the Special Achievement Award which went to Liquid Therapy based in Rosnowlagh and Club of the Year went to Naomh Columba whose men won the Donegal Intermediate Championship and the Ladies won the Donegal Junior, Minor B and All-Ireland Gaeltacht titles. Their Scór na nOg question time team also won an All-Ireland.

Ballyshannon native Shane Ward was probably the most successful sports person on the night, involved in three award winning categories. Apart from winning the Coach of the Year category, his school, St Claire’s, Manorhamilton won the School of the Year and his team were involved in the Listeners Moment of the Year.

Another Ballyshannon native, Sean Taylor, was part of the Coolera/Strandhill contingent which won the Team of the Year award. The Sligo champions of 2024 won the Connacht club title and ran eventual All-Ireland winners, Cuala, close in the semi-final.

The awards were all individually sponsored and two of the sponsors were represented on the night by Donegal people - John McBrearty of Ardara, representing Local Link, presented the Red Óg Award (Young Sportsperson) and Conal McLoone represented Eirgrid, who sponsored the Team of the Year award.

The full list of winners for 2025 were: 

Sports Personality of the Year: Gearóid McDaid (surfing)

Team of the Year: Coolera/Strandhill men's footballers (gaelic football)

Club of the Year: Naomh Columba (GAA/LGFA)

Coach of the Year: Shane Ward (St Claire's/Leitrim/Derrygonnelly Harps/Donegal U20s)

Female Sportsperson of the Year: Roisín Molloy (soccer)

Male Sportsperson of the Year: Michael Murphy (gaelic football)

The Red Óg Award (Young Sportsperson): Ava Hallinan (soccer)

Special Achievement Award: Liquid Therapy (Donegal)

Sports Volunteer: Seamus Connolly (Dromore Villa FC)

Diversity/Inclusion Award: Kilglass/Enniscronne Utd walking football team

School of the Year: St Claire's Manorhamilton

Schoolteacher of the Year: Anne Brady (St Attracta's)

International Award: Gearóid McDaid (surfing)

Hall of Fame Inductee 1: Fr Ricky Devine (Summerhill College)

Hall of Fame Inductee 2: Mickey Kearins (gaelic football)

Listeners Radio moment of the year: St Claire's All-Ireland colleges win.