Few moments at the PwC All-Star awards carried as much emotion as Stephen O’Hanlon’s tribute to the late Stephen ‘Jinxy’ Gollogly. The Monaghan footballer used his first All-Star appearance to remember a county figure who inspired him long before he stepped onto the biggest stage in Irish sport.
O’Hanlon was honoured at wing-forward after a standout season, becoming the first Carrickmacross Emmets player to win a PwC All-Star. Yet the award quickly became about more than personal achievement. In his words after collecting the honour, he reflected on Gollogly’s influence and the difficult summer Monaghan endured following his death.
Stephen O’Hanlon remembers a Monaghan inspiration
Speaking to RTÉ, O’Hanlon said he had grown up watching Gollogly and regarded him as an inspiration. He also hoped his achievement could encourage younger Monaghan players to chase their own county honours.
“I was talking about growing up watching Jinxy Gollogly and being inspired by him,” O’Hanlon said. “Hopefully this will inspire a few of our boys to go on and get one as well.”
The Carrickmacross man acknowledged that the tribute was difficult to deliver, but felt it was important to remember Gollogly while accepting the award.
“It was a difficult summer, but this is something that I’d be thinking about him coming up here. It is something to remember,” he added.
Gollogly’s lasting legacy in Monaghan GAA
Gollogly died in June at the age of 41. A respected Monaghan footballer, he won two Ulster Senior Football Championships during his inter-county career and retired in 2017.
His record underlined his importance to the county. Gollogly made 133 competitive appearances for Monaghan between 2004 and 2017, scoring 3-71. His commitment earned admiration from teammates, opponents and supporters across the province.
Monaghan GAA described him as a true servant of the county, a phrase that captured both his contribution on the pitch and the affection in which he was held away from it. His reputation as a kind and approachable person has ensured that his memory remains central to the county’s sporting community.
A landmark night for Carrickmacross Emmets
O’Hanlon’s award was also a significant milestone for his club. He became the first Carrickmacross Emmets footballer to receive a PwC All-Star, adding a fresh chapter to the club’s history.
He was Monaghan’s first recipient since Conor McCarthy in 2023, while his selection at wing-forward recognised the quality and consistency of his performances throughout the campaign.
- Stephen O’Hanlon won his first PwC All-Star.
- He became the first Carrickmacross Emmets player to claim the honour.
- He was selected at wing-forward.
- His award came after a difficult summer for Monaghan following Gollogly’s death.
For O’Hanlon, the achievement combined county pride, club history and a personal connection to one of Monaghan football’s most admired figures.
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Why the tribute mattered
All-Star awards usually celebrate individual excellence, but O’Hanlon’s words showed how deeply Gaelic games are connected to memory, community and example. Players often grow up watching county stars before becoming part of the same sporting story themselves.
That connection was especially clear here. Gollogly’s career had ended several years earlier, but his influence was still visible in the next generation of Monaghan footballers. O’Hanlon’s success offered a reminder that sporting legacies are not measured only in medals or statistics; they also live on through the people inspired by them.
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The next chapter for Monaghan football
O’Hanlon’s recognition gives Monaghan football another player to build around, while his tribute ensures Gollogly’s contribution remains part of the county conversation. The award will be remembered not only as a personal breakthrough, but as a link between the players who shaped Monaghan’s past and those seeking to carry the county forward.
As the next inter-county season approaches, attention will turn to whether O’Hanlon can reproduce his All-Star form and help Monaghan challenge again. For now, his emotional words have provided a fitting tribute to Stephen Gollogly and a proud moment for Carrickmacross Emmets.
Article/Image Courtesy: Balls.ie