Donegal GAA Masters rounded off 2024 with their All-Ireland medal presentation in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey on Sunday night. They were once again joined by the chairperson of the Gaelic Masters Association John Pat Sheridan from Mayo as well as Donegal GAA chairperson, Mary Coughlan, who was en route to the awards night in Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin on the same night. As a result the event was deprived of its usual master of ceremonies, Micheal Canning, who was celebrating the great year had with both the Masters and his own club, Naomh Padraig. New chairperson of Donegal GAA Masters, Conor McShane, did the honours and welcomed all as well as detailing the great year that the Donegal Masters team had. It might not have started well, he said, with defeats to Derry and Tyrone, but they were unbeaten after that, culminating in winning the All-Ireland Plate competition with victory over London in the final in Kingspan Breffni Park, Sligo. Along the way new friends were made, not least with the highlight of their trip to London in the group stages. McShane thanked all who had helped throughout the year including Mary Coughlan and the Donegal Co Board for making the facility at Convoy available for training and also for clubs making their grounds available for games. He made special mention of manager Francie Martin, who was unable to be at the presentation, but in what was a difficult year on a personal level, the involvement with the GAA Masters was an outlet and a source of comfort. “Being involved really helped him in the course of the last 12 months. Just being part of this group and having that wee bit of enjoyment and that wee bit of success. I know it was a huge lift to Francie himself,” said McShane. Donegal chairperson Mary Coughlan congratulated the Donegal GAA Masters on their success. “I have been familiar with the Masters for a number of years and it is a way of keeping together and enjoying support. “We are delighted to be able to support that and make our facilities in Convoy
In Pictures: Donegal GAA Masters presented with their All-Ireland medals
All-Ireland Plate winners received their medals from Donegal chairperson Mary Coughlan and John Pat Sheridan, chairperson of Gaelic Masters Association in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey
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Paul Gallagher, Gerard McBrearty and Conor McShane
