Ballinamore's Eilish O'Dowd is Leitrim Sports Star for 2023
Dublin All-Ireland winner and All-Star nominee Eilish O'Dowd named overall winner of 2023 Leitrim Sports Star awards organised by the Leitrim Sports Partnership
On a star studded night at the Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens, Ballinamore's Eilish O'Dowd was named the overall winner at the 12th Leitrim Sports Star Awards, organised by the Leitrim Sports Partnership, to great acclaim.
After a year that witnessed some incredible feats by Leitrim's sports people in a never before seen variety of sports and disciplines, O'Dowd's feats in winning the LGFA All-Ireland with Dublin and earning an All Star nomination saw her take the prestigious award ahead of some very tough competition.
Declan Darcy joined a special list of Leitrim greats when the 1994 hero joined the Leitrim Sports Star Hall of Fame.
The Senior award was shared by two of Leitrim's brightest soccer stars in Manorhamilton's Muireann Devaney and Mohill's Dearbhaile Beirne. There were also joint winners in the Junior category with Ireland underage rugby international Diarmuid O'Connell from Carrick RFC and Annaduff GAA's rising star Darren Cox sharing the honour.
Team of the year, not unexpectedly, went to Connacht LGFA & All-Ireland Intermediate finalists Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins with Carrick on Shannon Rugby Club's U16 team winning the Juvenile Team of the year award.
The theme of joint winners was continued with Manorhamilton Rangers' Holly Mitchell and Carrick's Liam Cox both being honoured for their incredible dedication by sharing the Special Achievement Awards. St Mary's Kiltoghert were also honoured for their sterling work with their All Stars programme when they picked up the Leitrim Observer Unsung Hero Award.
Coach of the Year went to Manorhamilton's Jason Clancy for his work with the Sean McDermott Boxing Club, work that also saw his son Dean qualify for this year's Olympic Games in Paris among a host of top quality performances.
Volunteer of the Year went to Josephine Cox of Leitrim Special Olympics while the School Teacher of the Year award went to Catherine McGowan of St Joseph's NS Leitrim Village. The incredible work of Drumshanbo Athletic Club in promoting their sport and developing facilities was recognised when they won the Club of the Year title.