Dundalk and District Hall of Fame awards winners

Gerry Prendergast (Rangers and Dundalk Democrat)

Like a lot of young players, he was drawn to Gerry Gover's Rangers and won the League Cup double at U-15 in 1968. One of his teammates was Gus Hearty the current secretary of the Dundalk and District League.

Due to serving his time in the printing trade he had to travel to Bolton Street Tech in Dublin to further his studies, leaving little time to pursue football.

He became the Sports editor of the Dundalk Democrat and after a few unsuccessful approaches to getting the Summer League story into print, I was directed to him. He gave me the thumbs up and decided to print a few games every week in the then broadsheet paper. It ran for three months and became the talk of the town.

Eventually the book came out in 1997 and was sold out within the year. I was approached by the late Jim Murphy who was preparing his history of Dundalk F.C. to use pieces from the book and he informed me that it was the first book on soccer ever published in Dundalk.

Due to the faith Gerry put in the story of The Summer League he was the man who initiated the two other books that followed, Stars of the Summer League and a century of local soccer.

Terry Conlon (Rock Celtic  and Argus)

Rock Celtic were founded in 1969 and it was in the early 1970s that our next recipient installed himself into the team. In 1973 he helped them to win their first Dundalk and District League title, when they beat Bellurgan in the final league game 4-3 playing alongside him was Dermot Aherne.

Years would pass before a cup hoodoo was finally lifted in 1979. Having reached five finals prior to 1979, which all were lost, the sea-siders finally came good, beating Bank Rovers 3-0.

Dermot Aherne was now manager, along with our recipient they both had played in 73 League wins. The team then reached the last 16 of the Leinster Junior Cup.

Like our first newcomer to the Ollie Allen Hall of Fame, this man was also a journalist, working for the Argus. For more years than I care to remember he has faithfully reported the League and is always present at the end of season Cup final.

Maurice McDonnell (Rangers and Racing Club)

Our final Hall of Fame entrant began his football with Norton Villa minors. He then played U-15 and U-17 with Rangers as well as junior football he lined out with Greenfield United before joining Racing Club. 

In 1976 Racing Club won the second division and reached the Cup final against Carlingford.

Our recipient, a first class goalkeeper, was beaten just once as Carlingford won the double. The following year racing club finished second in the top tier.

He was selected to play for the Dundalk and District League in the Oscar Traynor Cup against the N.E.L. the local league winning 5-0, the leagues first competitive game.

He was selected as goalkeeper on the Dundalk and District League team of the seventies. He was picked to play with the Dundalk Reserves on several occasions.

A tall commanding goalkeeper, a back injury finally brought his career to an end far too early for such a promising custodian to follow in the footsteps of other local keepers Gerry Mackin and Brendan Muckian.

Top Scorer Dundalk and District League 2023

Greg Shannon, St.Dominics- 31 goals.

The top scorer this season, Greg Shannon, brought back memories of other great sharp shooters such as Micky O'Kane, Billy Smith and Paudie Hearty.

By breaking the 30 goal barrier he has elevated himself into their hallowed ranks. Still very young, he is exciting to watch , with his speed and his finishing, he is lighting up a very exciting 2023 season. A player to watch for the future.

Dundalk and District League 2023 History Maker

Thomas Daly, Quay Celtic.

Thomas carved out a unique niche in Dundalk and District League history by scoring two Cup final Hattricks in one season, the first to do so since Cup football began in 1929.

Since 1924, up to 2023, there have been 192 Cup finals in 94 years. Only 33 hattricks have been scored, by 28 players sixteen different titles have adorned the finals.

We decided to mark the special occasion by given this trophy for the special marker he has set down for others to follow.

Dundalk and District League 2023 Player of the Year

John McQuillan (Rampart Celtic)

A player who dominates midfield with tireless energy and accurate passing.

He covers the area between both penalty boxes with non stop running and when he starts to add more goals to his game, he will be an even better player to enjoy watching in the years ahead.