Donegal Vocational side's historic 1984 triumph to be honoured at 2024 Sports Awards

The 1984 winners of the prestigious Donegal Sports Star Awards are set to receive special recognition at the launch of the 2024 awards ceremony with the Donegal Vocational Schools Gaelic football team from that year set to be honoured on the night.

The event will take place on Monday, January 6 at 6pm in the Mount Errigal Hotel with special recognition going to the Donegal Vocational School team who achieved a groundbreaking victory in 1984, becoming the first team from the county to win at Croke Park when they won the All-Ireland.

The team, captained by Ardara’s Patrick Gallagher and managed by PJ McGowan, secured their historic win on April 15, 1984, defeating Longford in the final with a decisive scoreline of 3-9 to 2-3.

Known for their dynamic and attacking style of football, the team dominated the match, with a pivotal moment coming just before halftime when Eamon McNiallais converted a penalty goal, giving Donegal a six-point advantage.

The road to Croke Park was a challenging one, with the Donegal team defeating formidable opponents along the way, including Tyrone and Down, before triumphing over Derry in the Ulster final. Their toughest test came in the All-Ireland semi-final against Leitrim, but the team’s skill and determination carried them through to victory.

Several players from the 1984 squad went on to achieve significant success in their football careers. Notably, John Joe Doherty and Manus Boyle were part of the Donegal U-21 team that won an All-Ireland title in 1987 under the guidance of PJ McGowan, who also managed that team.

The recognition of the 1984 winners at the upcoming event highlights the enduring legacy of their achievement and the pivotal role it played in Donegal’s sporting history.