2024 has been a sensational year in sport for young people across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough! Individuals, teams, schools and clubs have enjoyed record-breaking runs and amassed an impressive collection of medals and top titles while representing Ulster, Ireland and Great Britain in a plethora of major competitions at European and world level.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum welcomed 170 guests to a glittering awards ceremony at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre on Friday 27 September 2024 to celebrate their sporting achievements at the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Junior Sports Awards.
Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy congratulated the individual athletes, teams, coaches, schools, clubs, and volunteers who were shortlisted for an award, saying:
“Tonight, I feel very privileged to stand here before you all and acknowledge your incredible achievements. Every year we, as a council, continue to be in awe of the sporting excellence achieved by individuals, schools and clubs in this borough. It is our pleasure to recognise your talents through these awards, and in doing so, hopefully encourage you to go on to achieve bigger and better things.
“You are all inspirational role models to us here tonight and to your families and communities. You are all winners tonight whether you take home an award or not.”
During the event, compere U105’s Denise Watson invited Paris 2024 Olympic Bronze Medallist Philip Doyle to take the stage and share his sporting journey.
Junior Sports Awards Winners 2024:
Young Volunteer Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Cameron Shaw (Banbridge Amateur Boxing Club), Naoise Hughes (St Brenda’s Camogie Club, Ballymacnab), Ruadhri Coleman (St Paul’s Gaelic Football Club) and Sarah Black (Portadown Ladies Hockey Club).
Sports Person with a Disability Awards, sponsored by McKeever Sports: Kingston Bryars (who won silver with his Northern Ireland teammates at the European Powerchair Football Association Home Nations Cup) and James Corrie (who won 2 bronze medals at the Special Olympic Ireland Winter Games).
Junior School Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Banbridge Academy U14 Girls Hockey Team (in recognition of their strong performances this season, winning the June Smith All-Ireland Junior Schoolgirls Championship).
Junior Club Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Donaghy’s Shoefair Sports: Banbridge Rugby Football Club’s U14 Boys Team (Ulster Rugby’s Provincial Cup winners).
Junior Male of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh Sports and Trophies: Adam Green from Lough Erne Yacht Club (Irish National Champion and 8th in the World Championships).
Junior Female of the Year Award, sponsored by Manfreight Limited: Cassie Henderson from Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club (National Cadet Champion and European Gold Medallist).
Youth School Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Total Hockey: Royal School Armagh 1st XI Girls Hockey Team (All-Ireland Kate Russell Schoolgirls Champions).
Youth Club Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Manfreight Limited: Portadown Ladies Hockey Club’s U15 Team (Ulster Hockey’s Northern Ireland League and Cup winners).
School Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland: Greg Thompson (Head Coach to the successful Armagh Royal 1st XI treble winning girls hockey team).
Club Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland: Martin Toland (Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club and the Irish High Performance Team guiding Cassie Henderson to European Gold).
Youth Female of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Alana Burns-Atkin from Banbridge Amateur Swimming Club (Irish 100m and 200m Fly Junior and Open Champion and Youth Commonwealth Games Athlete).
Youth Male of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Connor Magee from Banbridge Academy (who lined out for Ireland at the U18 Six Nations Tournament).
Rising Taekwondo star and double gold medallist at European Ranking events, Monika Ilieva received the Chairman’s Award.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum Chairman, Cathal O’Neill, expressed his gratitude to the Council for organising the event and to all sponsors including headline sponsor, Manfreight Limited, for supporting this event.
