Oisín Gallen to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2023

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced today that the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award for the player of the Donegal Championship 2023 is to be presented to Sean Mac Cumhaill player Oisín Gallen.

Cumann Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill reached this year’s championship semi-final and Gallen's performances were central to their success.

Oisín scored 1-9 in the championship quarter-final. Gallen, 23, from Ballybofey, played his first senior club championship match for his club in 2018.

Damien Ó Dónaill from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Chairperson of the selection committee, said: “Gallen’s performances in this year’s championship were superb.

"He created havoc for defenders in every match this year, to the point where clubs decided to put two or possibly three men on him in an effort to keep him quiet.

"Donegal and Mac Cumhaill’s supporters will be hoping for another successful year for Gallen in 2024 and we all hope that he stays clear from injuries so that he can play with the same freedom he did in this years club championship.

Congratulations to Oisín, and my thanks to the Donegal sports journalists who came together to make the selection for this year’s award recipient.”

The Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award is presented each year to the player of the Donegal Championship, as selected by a committee of sports journalists from the print and broadcast media in the county.

Broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh was synonymous with Donegal GAA, and the voice of Gaelic Games in that county until his untimely death in 2016. This award was established to honour his memory. Recipients to date are Michael Murphy, Mark McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ciarán Thompson, Caolan Ward and Brendan Mc Dyre.

The award was created by sculptor Redmond Herrity using Donegal Granite carved in the shape of Errigal, with an image of Séamus Mac Géidigh engraved to the front.