Mayo Football League announces 2024 season award winners

THE Mayo Football League has announced its individual and team award winners for 2024 ahead of the presentation dinner on January 25 next.

The big individual winners are Pat Gavin of Castlebar Celtic (Hall of Fame inductee), Anthony McDonnell of Castlebar Town, Damien Joyce of Manulla (both Services to Football Award winners) and Gerry McDonnell of Snugboro United (Club Person of the Year).

Pat Gavin has been singled out for being synonymous with Mayo football for a long number of years, from his playing days before moving on to join different committees running the Hoops. He held roles such as chairman of the youths section of the club and then treasurer when the two sections of the club amalgamated, a post he still holds to this day.

Along with Leo Tierney, Pat coached and managed the Mayo Kennedy Cup team in 2002 and also took the team to the Foyle Cup in Derry the following year, while he managed numerous underage sides within Castlebar Celtic.

The Mayo Football League said: “He is probably best known for his fundraising efforts for the club where he set up the online lotto back in 2015 and for his weekly sales, which are legendary around the Castlebar area. He also played a big role in raising funds and developing their full size astro pitch.

“His long involvement with the club and with the game in general makes him a worthy choice to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Anthony McDonnell has been recognised as a cornerstone of Castlebar Town FC, dedicating his life to the club since it was founded in 1974. “His involvement spans all aspects of the organisation, from administrative duties to grassroots coaching both boys and girls age groups,” said the Mayo Football League.

“His commitment is evident in his hands-on approach. He has coached teams at various levels, providing guidance and mentorship to young athletes since the club was called Barcastle, Castlebar United to now being called Castlebar Town FC.

“Beyond coaching, Anthony has been instrumental in organising events and initiatives that promote community, engagement and inclusivity within the club.

“Through his tireless efforts, he has not only contributed to the development of countless young athletes but has also helped cultivate a strong sense of community around Castlebar Town FC.

“Anthony McDonnell’s legacy is one of dedication, leadership, and an enduring love for the sport that continues to inspire future generations.”

Damien Joyce from Manulla is also noted as being a true community man who has worked tirelessly for his club for more than 25 years, and continues to do so.

The Mayo Football League said: “His contributions to the club never ceases. He has worked in all areas to ensure consistency in keeping the standards of football in Manulla at a high calibre. A coach, an administrator, a committee member, an affiliate of numerous sub-committees, manager of various teams, academy leader, senior football liaison officer, groundsman, pitch facilitator, fundraiser, to name simply a few of the roles that Damien has assisted in.

“He is the definition of a true club individual and he has had a lasting impact on both the developments of the club over the past 25 years and the community of Manulla itself.

“There is always one stand-out individual in each club who ultimately dedicates their lives to the sport and dons their colours with great pride, and Damien Joyce is ‘Mr Manulla’.

“We will be hearing his name echoed on and off the field of play for years to come as he continues to dedicate his life and inspire and instill his knowledge on to the future generations of the game.”

In scooping the Club Person of the Year Award, Gerry McDonnell was recognised for his commitment to Snugboro United from day one, when he joined the committee and is now the only original member to be still sitting on the committee 28 years later.

He has been treasurer of the club for many years, steering it from playing its early days on a loaned pitch from St. Mary's and changing in the back of a lorry trailer to playing in their own facilities with main pitch, training pitch, clubhouse and recently added astroturf.

To this day Gerry continues to steer the club in the right direction and is an integral part of the day-to-day running of Snugboro United, the Mayo Football League noted.

TEAMS

The various teams of the year, sponsored by Ryan Gallagher Photography, have also been announced by the Mayo Football League, and are listed below.

Westaro Masters League Division Three Team of the Year: Kyle Holmes (Bangor Hibs), Mark Gibbons (Partry Athletic), Paddy Barrett (Bangor Hibs), Anthony Coyle (Bangor Hibs), Mikie Sweeney (Bangor Hibs), John Russell (Partry Athletic), Kevin Dolan (Partry Athletic).

Westaro Masters League Division Two Team of the Year: Barry Nestor (Conn Rangers), Alan Dempsey (Conn Rangers), Aidan Ferguson (Killala), Declan Tonra (Manulla), Shane Bourke (Conn Rangers), Shane Durkan (Manulla), Johnny McNulty (Killala).

Westaro Masters League Division One Team of the Year: Kieran O'Malley (Ballina Town), Dermot Costello (Ballyglass), Chris Maughan (Ballina Town), Mark Gilbert (Iorras Aontaithe), Paul Moran (Ballina Town), Colm Boyle (Ballyglass), Alan Plunkett (Ballyglass).

TF Royal Hotel & Theatre Under 21 Division Two Team of the Year: Martin Polak (Achill Rovers), Jake Mullin (Claremorris), Joe Gilmore (Claremorris), Christopher O'Connell (Snugboro United), James Morley (Claremorris), Mark Maloney (Claremorris), Mikolaj Grabowski (Westport United B), Brian Durkan (Fahy Rovers), Jack Walsh (Westport United B), Roddick Boakye (Snugboro United), Ben Smyth (Claremorris). The player of the year nominees are Roddick Boakye, Mark Maloney and James Morley.

TF Royal Hotel & Theatre Under 21 Division One Team of the Year: Peter Basquille (Castlebar Celtic), Shane Cunningham (Castlebar Celtic), Eoghan Hughes (Castlebar Celtic), Noah Massey (Westport United), Alex Halpin (Westport United), Caoimhín O'Toole (Westport United), Dylan O'Malley (Westport United), Fionn Mahon (Castlebar Celtic), Tadhg O'Sullivan (Conn Rangers), Alan Hegarty (Ballyheane), Kevin Kitterick (Westport United). The player of the year nominees are Kevin Kitterick, Fionn Mahon and Dylan O'Malley.

McDonnell Construction League Two Team of the Year: Ryan Connolly (Bangor Hibs), Keith Lyons (Snugboro United), Cathal Finnerty (Ballina Town B), Tarek Yassin (Snuboro United), Keelan Murphy (Bangor Hibs), Marcus Lacuesta (Ballina Town B), Chris Western (Achill Rovers), Ted Rowe (Ballina Town B), Mark McGreal (Snugboro United), John Durkan (Ballina Town B), Ryan Moran (Ballina Town B). The player of the year nominees are Ted Rowe, John Durkan and Ryan Moran.

Killeen Sports Grounds League One Team of the Year: Ben Walsh (Fahy Rovers), Johnny McNulty (Killala), Aran Reilly (Iorras Aontaithe), Kevin Staunton (Fahy Rovers), Peter McArthur (Iorras Aontaithe), Rian McNally (Fahy Rovers), Owen McHale (Iorras Aontaithe), Fergal McHale (Killala), Jason Muldoon (Killala), Tommy Muldoon (Killala), Dara Padden (Iorras Aontaithe). The player of the year nominees are Johnny McNulty, Aran Reilly and Fergal McHale.

Castlecourt Hotel Premier Division Team of the Year: Peter Basquille (Castlebar Celtic B), Ciaran McCormack (Glenhest Rovers), John Morley (Ballyhaunis Town), Adrian Rowland (Glenhest Rovers), Eoin Conway (Westport United B), Lukas Roda (Ballyhaunis Town), Chris Rowland (Glenhest Rovers), Dylan Howley (Castlebar Celtic B), Connor McCarthy (Glenhest Rovers), Paddy Mulchrone (Glenhest Rovers), Simon Jordan (Castlebar Celtic B). The player of the year nominees are Peter Basquille, Connor McCarthy and Paddy Mulchrone.

Elverys Sports Super League Team of the Year: Stefan Hester (Castlebar Celtic), Mark Cunningham (Castlebar Celtic), Chris Maughan (Ballina Town), Ioseph O'Reilly (Castlebar Celtic), Harrison Quinn (Westport United), Dylan McKee (Ballina Town), Oran Groarke (Castlebar Celtic), Dylan Edwards (Castlebar Celtic), Jason Hunt (Castlebar Celtic), Jordan Loftus (Castlebar Celtic), Kevin Kitterick (Westport United). The player of the year nominees are Dylan Edwards, Stefan Hester and Jordan Loftus.

The awards will be presented at the Mayo Football League's annual presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, on Saturday, January 25.