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APPRECIATION The winner of the Donegal Sports Star Appreciation Award is Cathal Hagan, Donegal Community Games. At 80 years of age, Cathal remains a remarkable example of dedication and achievement within the Donegal Community Games. For over 45 years, he has served with distinction at local, county, provincial, and national levels, including more than four decades as County and Area Treasurer. Cathal has played a central role in the success of countless events, supported new areas across Donegal, and helped guide record numbers of children to national finals. His lifelong commitment was recognised nationally with the Community Games National Volunteer Award in 2018. Working quietly behind the scenes, Cathal’s leadership has helped shape generations of young athletes, many of whom have gone on to national and international success. Cathal shared over 30 years of his remarkable Community Games journey with his late beloved wife Kathleen who herself gave a lifetime of commitment and service to the games and now their daughter Sinead carries on that proud family spirit. His achievements have left a lasting legacy, ensuring the strength, growth, and future of the Community Games in Donegal.
26.
CLUB The winner of the Donegal Sports Star Club Award for 2025 is Finn Valley A.C. Finn Valley AC athletes delivered an exceptional series of individual performances in 2025 on both national and international stages. Mark English enjoyed a landmark year, winning European Indoor bronze, breaking the Irish 800m record three times, reaching a World Championships semi-final, and claiming a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold victory. Conor Kelly captured European U20 gold, set a new national record, and represented Ireland at the World Championships and World Relays. Amy Greene earned U23 national silver and competed at European Cross Country level, while Arlene Crossan, Cara Laverty, Oisin Ó Gáilin, and Roisin Flanagan all represented Ireland at European championships, with Oisin setting a new Donegal 10,000m record. Further afield, Cara Laverty, Eimear McCarroll, and Sophia Thompson all had podium successes in U.S. collegiate competitions. Alongside these achievements, Finn Valley continues to lead through event hosting, youth development, and its pioneering Athletics for Children with Autism programme, the first of its kind in Donegal.
27.
TEAM The winner of the 2025 Team Award is the CLG Dhún na nGall Senior Men’s Football Team Jim McGuinness’s men took the Ulster Championship title for the second year in a row after a dramatic extra-time win over Armagh in Clones. Donegal then progressed through the All-Ireland Series to the Sam Maguire decider against Kerry at Croke Park in July. While it wasn’t to be at GAA Headquarters, the supporters were immensely proud of the team’s achievements in 2025. Seven of the team were named on the Ulster All-Stars side in September. In November four players Michael Langan, Michael Murphy, Finnbarr Roarty and Brendan McCole were named on the All-Star team. And Finnbarr Roarty took the Young Player of the Year Award. 2026 started positively with the win over Dublin and we wish Donegal well on Sunday against Kerry.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL (SMALL