Legendary figures Leyden and Kelly remembered at Donegal Junior League awards

The Donegal Junior League celebrated the 2023/24 season in some style at the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny on Friday night as the various league winners, as well as the individual prize winners, picked up their awards. 

The evening was also tinged with some sadness, however, as legendary figures Terry Leyden and Dessie Kelly were both remembered. 

Donegal League top goalscorers 

Opening the evening, Donegal League secretary Nigel Ferry paid an emotional and heartfelt tribute to both men - a duo synonymous with the Donegal League and individuals whose names were indeed synonymous with all strands of soccer in the county. 

“Anyone that would have attended these events over the years would have seen Terry front and centre in the organisation of it," said Ferry on Leyden, who passed away last February. "He’d have everything to a tee and laid out meticulously. 

“There is a huge void left in our committee without Terry and we’re so happy his family are here to present the Terry Leyden Memorial award and the Fair Play awards. He’s someone that is irreplaceable”. 

Dessie Kelly, who held a vast array of administrative roles across a variety of units in Donegal football, including at his beloved Letterkenny Rovers, passed away earlier this week. Ferry also led the tributes to Kelly on the night. 

Lifetime Achievement award winners 

“Anyone that knew Terry knew Dessie - they were great friends and like peas in a pod. For the last few years you wouldn’t see one without the other. And it’s sad the two passed in such a short space of time. 

“Terry’s wife, Vonnie, also such a familiar face at this event, we express our sympathties there also. 

“Dessie was a huge part of our league for so many years, promoting junior soccer in the county. He was so instrumental in the development of Ballyare and with the improvements since. 

“So there is another vacant seat here tonight and it’s a sad time. On behalf of the Donegal League I’d also like to express our sincere condolences to his family at this sad time”. 

As well as the title-winning presentations, there were a host of individual awards handed out on the night. In the Manager of the Year categories, Stephen McConnell of Letterkenny Rovers picked up the Sunday award while Oldtown Celtic's Tam McLaughlin took the Saturday gong.  

In the Fair Play section, named after the late Leyden, Cranford United were Sunday's fairest while Gweedore United accepted the Saturday prize. 

One of the most popular presentations on the night, The Lifetime Achievement section, there were five worthy recipients as 
Hugie O’Donnell (Strand Rovers), James Martin (Kerrykeel ‘71 FC), Cathal Toland (Donegal League), Patrick Sweeney (Fanad United) and Con McLaughlin (Referees’ Society) all took to the stage. 

See below for full honours list

Player of the Year award winners

Awards 

Manager of the Year 
Saturday: Tam McLaughlin, Oldtown Celtic 
Sunday: Stephen McConnell, Letterkenny Rovers 

Terry Leyden Fair Play Awards 
Saturday: Gweedore United reserves 
Sunday: Cranford United 

Area Shield Winners
Lifford Area: Kildrum Tigers
Letterkenny Area: Letterkenny Rovers 
Donegal Town Area: Cappy Rovers 
Gweedore Area: Keadue Rovers 

Letterkenny Rovers Division 1 and Brian McCormick Cup winners 

Individual Awards

Premier Division 
Player of the Year: Jamaes Gallagher (Fanad United)
Top Goalscorer: Ryan Cunningham (St Catherine’s)

Division 1 
Player of the Year: Zach Gorman (Letterkenny Rovers)
Top Goalscorer: Declan Duigan (Donegal Town)

Division 2 
Player of the Year Damien Glackin (Ballybofey United)
Top Goalscorer: Sean Ferry (Lifford Celtic)

Saturday Division 1 
Player of the Year: Michéal Doherty (Oldtown Celtic)
Top Goalscorer: Kevin McGrath (Oldtown Celtic)

Saturday Division 2
Player of the Year: Evan Hewitt (Ramelton Mariners)
Top Goalscorer: Evan Hewitt (Ramelton Mariners)

Saturday Division 3 
Player of the Year: Eugne Deery (Letterkenny Rovers)
Top Goalscorer: Jordan Nugent (Letterkenny Rovers)

Lifetime Achievement Awards 
Hugie O’Donnell (Strand Rovers)
James Martin (Kerrykeel ‘71 FC)
Cathal Toland (Donegal League)
Patrick Sweeney (Fanad United)
Con McLaughlin (Referees’ Society) 

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division 
Winners: Fanad United 
Runners-up Kildrum Tigers 

Temple Domestic Appliances Division 1 
Winners: Letterkenny Rovers 
Runners-up: Bonagee United 

Donegal Physiotherapy/Performance Centre Division 2 
Winners: Ballybofey United 
Runners-up: Keadue Rovers reserves 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division 1 
Winners: Oldtown Celtic 
Runners-up: Keadue Rovers reserves 

Old Orchard Inn Saturday Division 2 
Winners: Ramelton Mariners 
Runners-up: Drumbar United 

Finn Travel Saturday Division 3 
Winners: Letterkenny Rovers reserves 
Runners-up: Erne Wanderers 

Brian McCormick Cup 
Winners: Letterkenny Rovers 
Runners-up: Keadue Rovers 

Voodoo Venue Cup 
Winners: Strand Rovers 
Runners-up: Drumbar United