January:

Gerry Tully (soccer)

Roscommon and District League Gerry Tully guided the Roscommon and District League's representative team to the semi-finals of the Oscar Traynor Cup in January.

Roscommon defeated the Tipperary Southern and District League to reach the last four for the first time in the league's history.

Goals from Donal Ward, Darragh Concannon and Mark O'Brien guaranteed a 3-1 success but Gerry Tully's input in getting the best of his players was the primary reason why the Roscommon and District League improved so dramatically in such a short space of time.

Gerry's drive, commitment and belief in his players made his team the surprise packets of the 2008 competition.

The former Glen Celtic and Kilkerrin United manager surrounded himself with a highly dedicated backroom staff who brought just as much enthusiasm and positive vibes to their team's adventure.

Athough the team were beaten by the Cork AUL in the semi-final, Gerry Tully and his side won many admirers and confirmed the Roscommon and District League as a force to be reckoned with at national level.

February:

James Murray (Scór na nÓg)

James Murray from St. Dominic's followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Jamsie Murray, by brining All-Ireland success to Knockcroghery and its environs in February.

James was crowned All-Ireland Scór na nÓg champion in the Recitation section at the national finals in Athlone.

He was presented with his Celtic Cross medal by GAA President Nickey Brennan and National Scór Chairperson Denis Maguire.

From the moment James set foot on the stage he held the 1500 strong audience captivated and entertained with his humorous piece 'Stage Fright'. .

James saw off stiff competition from Tipperary, Wexford and Donegal. Armed with great presence and composure, the talented teenager owned the stage from start to finish to win St. Dominic's third national Scór title, much to the delight of a large club following.

Bonfires blazed brightly in Knockcroghery to welcome home James and his family, scenes that were always associated by the Murray family themselves to welcome All-Ireland success into the parish.

March:

Sean Boland (soccer)

Convent of Mercy Gaelic football manager Sean Boland is the Roscommon Herald/SuperValu Sportstar of the Month award winner for March.

Sean has been coaching Gaelic football and soccer teams in the Convent for many years.

All those hours of hard work came to fruition in March when the Convent won the Pat the Baker All-Ireland A schools' title for the first time in the school's history by beating Loretto Fermoy in the final.

During the Convent's eight games to glory, the team scored 37 goals and gave their supporters some sporting memories to cherish.

Having won the Connacht final for the first time with a ten-point victory against Presentation Tuam, there was no stopping the Convent girls as they swept past everything in their path.

Sean, from Kilmore in North Roscommon, gave his charges the belief to make a name for themselves on the national stage.

They duly delivered with the performance of their lives to oust a fancied Cork side in the final on a scoreline of 4-10 to 2-7.

Sean also coached many of the same players to senior soccer glory on Friday last as the Convent did the double with victory against Asbourne Community School.

June:

Romy Madden (Swimming)

Romy Madden's recent successes at the Irish Age Groups Championships held at the UL Arena in Limerick were very impressive.

Romy competed in six events at the championships over three days and managed to win five gold medals. In the other event, the 100-metre backstroke, she finished second and in doing so recorded a personal best time of 1:15.02.

Her gold medal victories came in the 100 metres breaststroke, 100 metres butterfly, 200 metres freestyle, 100 metres freestyle and 200 metres IM.

The youngster from Castlerea, who is a member of the Coman's Swimming Club in Roscommon town, is part of a club that has seen its profile rise considerably in recent years.

Coman's is now one of the leading clubs in the country with several of its members taking the honours at major championships on a regular basis.

Romy's performance at the Irish Championships also saw her win the overall award for best 15-year-old, where she scored a whopping 47 points out of a possible 48.

The Coman's club captured eight gold medals at the championships and Romy was among three club swimmers that achieved IAG Division 1 standards.

Over the coming weeks, a number of the club's members will enter Division 1 at the long course championships.

The Castlerea teenager looks set for a remarkable career in the pool.

August:

Gerry Fallon (Hurling)

Gerry Fallon was the talk of the hurling world in early August when he was crowned All-Ireland Poc Fada champion in the Cooley Mountains.

The Oran and Roscommon player became the first hurler from the county to win the overall title.

It was a great weekend for Roscommon as Noel Fallon from Four Roads was crowned U-16 champion.

Gerry had to face the might of none other than Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins alongside a host of other well-known names in the game.

He flourished in such illustrious company to take on the best and triumph in hurling's heartland.

Gerry continued Oran's proud tradition in the competition.

Colm Kelly won the U-14 competition in 1986. Eleven years earlier, Michael Cunningham captured the U-12 Community Games title.

The Poc Fada is one of the most popular competitions in the national hurling calendar.

Among the fans in attendance to congratulate Gerry on his magnificent success was World Boxing Champion Bernard Dunne.

August:

Kelly Hopkins (Camogie)

Athleague camogie player Kelley Hopkins played a major role in Roscommon's long overdue success in the Nancy Murray Cup.

An unsung heroine in the Roscommon colours for a few years now, Kelley was instrumental in guiding her county to national silverware at Armagh's expense, especially in the drawn game when her accuracy from frees kept Roscommon in touch.

Described as the most consistent player in the Roscommon colours since the start of the season, Kelley represented the heartbeat of the team's determination to put the disappointment of 2008 behind them.

Apart from the drawn game against Armagh, she was also to the fore in her side's semi-final success against Kildare after extra time.

She picked up a serious knee injury in the drawn game against Armagh but her courage and will to win ensured that she togged out for the replay.

Indeed she scored two points in Roscommon's success and did very well from general play.

Winning the Nancy Murray Cup represented Kelley's greatest achievement as a player and no doubt there are more good days to come in the coming years.

September:

Nigel Dineen (Gaelic Football)

astlerea St. Kevin's captain Nigel Dineen has bridged a seven-year gap to win his second Roscommon Herald/SuperValu Sportstar of the Year award.

Nigel is this year's September winner after leading his side to their second Roscommon senior football championship in succession.

He also captained Castlerea on both landmark occasions to lift the Fahey Cup.

The former Roscommon star has been the most influential player on the Roscommon GAA club scene for the last two years.

However, he topped off a magnificent 24 months with a quite majestic Player of the Match performance in September's county final when Castlerea had four points to spare against neighbours Western Gaels.

Dineen stamped his authority on the game from the outset, scored two points and was the trump card in Denis Kearney's pack.

His reading of breaking ball was superb and he even found the energy to make a superb catch underneath his own crossbar in injury time.

In the inaugural year of the then Roscommon Herald/Cahill's SuperValu sportstar awards, Nigel picked up the March gong for his inspirational performances for Roscommon in 2002, a month he also captured the Vodafone Player of the Month award.

A holder of one Connacht senior championship medal, two FBD League medals and three senior championship medals, the 35-year-old is showing no signs of hanging up the boots just yet.

October:

Deirdre Donohoe (Handball)

Deirdre Donohoe was one of the stars of the World Handball Championships, winning the Ladies A Singles in Portland, Oregon in mid-October.

One of the most talented and highly respected young handballers on the circuit for some time now, Deirdre has won a number of national titles and has risen through the ranks with a fair degree of success.

In her last 16 match, the St. Coman's handballer enjoyed a facile 21-7, 21-0 success against Lian Chin from the USA.

Another American opponent, Kristen Steele, provided much stiffer opposition in the quarter-final, but Deirdre held her composure to triumph 21-19, 21-15.

Gaining in confidence, Deirdre got the better of Wicklow's Patrica Doyle in her last four encounter.

Winning a tough opening game 21-14, the St. Coman's girl remained in control to triumph in the second game 21-11.

The final against Pauline Gallagher from Mayo was a cracking contest. Despite losing the first game 21-14, Deirdre called on all her reserves of energy to sneak the next game 21-15.

Fortunately, the Roscommon girl was the dominant force in the match-defining tie-breaker.

A 11-3 success was a fitting end to what was a wonderful performance in a grueling schedule of matches.

A player on the top of her game, this award is a fitting tribute to Deirdre's commitment, which has seen her land the biggest title of her career.