Hurlers take centre stage at Donegal GAA awards night

The hurlers of Donegal took centre stage on Friday night as the county awards night was held in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town.

The Donegal hurlers collected their Nicky Rackard medals and the special guest on the night was Tipperary All-Star hurler, Padraic Maher, who urged them to continue to try to improve and get promotion.

“The young hurlers of the county look up to you and if you can have success, then they will have something to follow,” said Maher.

The Donegal hurling manager, Ray Durack, thanked his players for their efforts and also was high in his praise for the Co. Board, especially Grace Boyle and Frankie Doherty.

“It is an honour to represent the hurlers of Donegal. We have a very good young squad and if we keep at it, we can repeat the success next year,” said Durack, who expressed disappointment that Donegal did not get promotion to the Christy Ring Cup.

“I want to thank these fellas personally for what they have done for Donegal hurling,” said Durack, who in thanking Grace Boyle and Frankie Doherty, said that Frankie was the “35th member of the squad” even though “he wasn’t much good at hurling!”

“We are not allowed to play in the Christy Ring but we will try to win the Nicky Rackard again next year,” said Durack.

Among the presentations made was to the referees who refereed county finals.

MC on the night was Sean Perry, who completed the programme in just over an hour, while county chairman, Sean Dunnion also addressed the large attendance.

The presentations were made by Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Con O’Donnell; county secretary Aodh Mairtin O Fearraigh and Sean Dunnion.

The full list of award winners were:

Gaeltacht Club of Year: Naomh Naille

Non Gaeltacht Club of Year: Baile na nGalloglach

Gradam do Sheirbhísí Cultúrtha: Eileen McLaughlin (Naomh Padraig Muff)

Grounds of the Year Award: Carn Domhnaigh

Appreciation Award: Tony Doherty (Naomh Muire)

Handballer of the Year: Dave Mulhern (Naomh Conaill)

Referee of the Year: Martin Coll (Gaoth Dobhair)

Junior Club of the Year: Baile na nGalloglach

Intermediate Club of the Year: Naomh Muire

Senior Club of the Year: Gleann tSúilí

Lady Footballer of the Year: Karen Guthrie (Gleann Fhinne)

Hurler of the Year: Danny Cullen (Setanta)

Footballer of the Year: Michael Murphy (Gleann tSuili)