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The Winner of the 2023 Hockey Award was Wendy Patterson, Raphoe Hockey ClubWendy Patterson has been a key player for Raphoe 1st XI Ladies for many years. In more recent times she has gone on to represent Ulster and Ireland at the Masters O35 level.She was on Irish teams competing at the Home Nations Tournament in Swansea and at the Masters European Championships in Nottingham last year, Wendy was selected as captain of the Ireland O35 Masters Team for the second consecutive year.She successfully led her team to gold at the European Championship, defeating England in the final. Wendy Patterson is only the fourth woman to win the hockey category after Fiona Ryan, Hazel Russell and Megan Frazer.
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The Winner of the 2023 Hurling Award is Gerry Gilmore, Setanta.The 30-year-old starred in Setanta’s run to the historic Ulster Final triumph. In a hugely exciting Intermediate Hurling Championship decider at Owenbeg, Setanta overcame Tyrone’s Eire Og Carrickmore by two points in early December. Ultimately it came down to the superb finishing of Gerry Gilmore’s eleven points that was the key factor in deciding the outcome. Gerry Gilmore has also been a regular with the Donegal senior hurlers and was named Man of the Match after scoring a crucial 1-10 as Donegal won back-to-back Ulster McGurk Cup titles. Gerry’s consistently high level performances led to him being fittingly named on the Ulster Club All-Stars team for 2023.It is Gerry’s first Donegal Sports Star Award
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The Winner of the 2023 Martial Arts Award was Erin McCole, Ulster Karate-Do Federation. It’s Erin’s first time to win here and it was certainly a year of highs for the Quigleys Point woman as she claimed four international gold medals. Undoubtedly the highlight was the World Karate Championships in Dundee in July when she won a Kata Gold. In November there was another gold at the European Karate Championships in France. The other two golds came in May in the Kanzen Cup International Open in Dundee and the UKF International Invitational in Burnfoot.Erin has also coached a World Champion and European Champion. Her students have won in excess of 10 medals at world level and over 50 medals at international level – all in 2023.
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The 2023 Motorcycling Award winner was Richard Kerr from Kilmacrennan. It’s Richard’s third time to win this award having previously won it in 2014 and 2022.Winning the National Superstock Championship last year was the biggest success of Richard Kerr’s career. But, that only came after a string of podiums throughout the 2023 season. The fine early season form included a first win of the 2023 campaign at Donington Park. The victory left Kerr in second place overall in the championship. In November Richard Kerr was declared National Superstock champion for 2023. He finished the season on a high taking a first and two second place finishes at the Sunflower Championships in Bishopscourt.Just a week ago Richard won the Outstanding Achievement honour at the Irish Motorbike Awards at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Belfast. He also made the shortlist for the Prestigious Motorcyclist of the Year and Race of the Year.