St Eunan's Caolan Ward wins 2021 Séamus Mac Géidigh Memorial Award

Caolan Ward says it is an ‘honour’ to be named as the 2021 winner of the Séamus Mac Géidigh Memorial Award, Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh.

Ward was part of the St Eunan’s side who won the Dr Maguire Cup for the first time in seven years with a commanding 1-11 to 0-4 win over Naomh Conaill in November. He has been a fixture in the Donegal full-back line this year in both the Allianz League and Dr McKenna Cup.

The 29-year-old is a personal trainer at Donegal Strength & Conditioning Gym in Milford and is currently studying a diploma in PE Studies at Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

LGFA, GAA integration can’t be left on back burner - Niamh McLaughlin

The Moville woman’s comments come in the wake of a historic vote at the LGFA Congress on Friday night in Belfast.

“It was lovely to hear, an honour actually,” Ward told DonegalLive on hearing of the award. “When you look back at 2021 with St Eunan’s, we had a great year all round and in winning the championship and the way that we did it, this award could have gone to any of my teammates and it was certainly a collective team effort. I suppose it’s one for all the defenders out there.”

The award, for the best player in the Donegal SFC, commemorates the much-loved and respected RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh who passed away suddenly in July 2016.

The inaugural award was presented to Glenswilly’s Michael Murphy for his superb display of leadership, skill and talent during the 2016 Championship. The 12 Donegal sports journalists who make up the selection committee, under the stewardship of Damien Ó Dónaill from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, are tasked with finding another player this year who demonstrates similar characteristics each year.

Mark McHugh of Kilcar was the 2017 winner, with Odhrán Mac Niallais from Gaoth Dobhair a worthy recipient in 2018. Naomh Conaill’s Ciaran Thompson topped the 2019 vote, holding onto the trophy through 2020 where the championship was delayed due to the pandemic and appeal process that followed.

Damien Ó Dónaill said: “Caolan was selected for the award due to the unrelenting leadership he displayed this year in the St Eunan’s jersey. The club had a huge year, and Caolan was at the heart of that achievement. It’s wonderful that to be able to present the award again this year to such a worthy recipient, and that it will be a great friend of Séamus Mac Géidigh, Cathal Mac Grianna, a proud Gaeltacht man with a long history with St Eunan’s, who will make the presentation.”

Donegal quartet help DCU to dramatic comeback win in Donaghy Cup final

Carndonagh duo Emma Doherty and Laura Doherty were corner-backs for DCU, while Termon’s Aoife Kelly came off the bench to help their side grasp victory from eight point down

The award was created by sculptor Redmond Herrity using Donegal Granite carved in the shape of Errigal, with an engraving of an image of Séamus to the front. Ward will receive his award from Cathal Greene, a native of Gortahork and friend of the McGeady family, at the St Eunan’s Dinner Dance, which takes place at the Mount Errigal Hotel on Friday night.

Ward will be part of the Donegal panel then on Sunday with Monaghan the visitors to MacCumhaill Park in the Allianz League, where a win should all but ensure Declan Bonner’s team will be in the top flight next season.

“It’s been busy for sure,” Ward added. “But between club and county I’m enjoying it big time. The training is good and we’re getting closer and closer to the championship with Donegal. The crowd in Ballybofey were brilliant last time out against Tyrone and played a huge part in helping the team get over the line.

“There were great performances from the younger players like Conor O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell and Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and they showed the depth of talent we have in the panel. We’ve still a few out but we know that if we can get a result against Monaghan that might lift the pressure. The win over Tyrone was huge and hopefully we can take confidence from that into Sunday.”