There was an overwhelming sense of pride at the ABC Senior Sports Awards on Friday 28 March when 150 guests gathered at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre to honour the A-list of the local sporting community and to celebrate their impressive achievements over the past year.
Organised by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum, with headline sponsor Rider Levett Bucknall, the awards ceremony was a celebration of the individuals, teams and clubs who have represented Northern Ireland, Ulster and Ireland at European and world competitions.
The awards also recognise coaches and volunteers behind sporting successes at the highest level.
The wealth of sporting talent in the borough was once again front and centre on the night with 46 shortlisted nominees vying for an award across the 8 categories.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy said:
“Accomplishments in sport are often defining moments in the lives of the individual, the team and the community and are treasured for a lifetime.
“Tonight is all about reflecting and recognising that we have a borough of sporting champions. Whether it’s the volunteer or the coach who puts in hours behind the scenes, the team who has had success during the year or the sporting individual who has achieved the most in their sport, I am proud that these awards will truly showcase the exceptional talent and dedication in this borough.”
The event was compered by U105’s Denise Watson, with special guest Jonny Murphy (aka the ‘Hungry Hooker’) sharing his journey from professional rugby player to baking sensation!
The Awards presentations began with a Special Recognition Award presented local athletes Daniel Wiffen, Philip Doyle, Peter Brown, Kyle Marshall, Mark Tumilty and Susie Berry who represented Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The coveted Sportswoman of the Year Award went to European Fours Gold Medallist, Chloe Wilson.
All-Ireland Champion with County Armagh Gaelic Athletic Association, Oisin Conaty picked up the Sportsman of the Year Award.
Both Scott Cromie from Craigavon Boccia Club, who won a gold medal at the Irish Championships and Jake Forrest from Armagh Special Olympics Swimming Club, who won 5 gold medals and a silver at Swim Ulster Galas, received a Sports Person with a Disability Award. The Banbridge Rugby Football Club’s Barbarians were awarded the Sports Team with a Disability Award.
Lurgan Coarse Angling Club’s Senior Team were winners of the Senior Team of the Year following their sterling display of consistency to be crowned World Club Feeder Runners Up.
The Club of the Year Award went to the proactive, progressive and community focused Oxford Sunnyside Football Club.
Coaching duo Mark McKeown and Dermott Kerr received the Senior Coach of the Year Award for their success with the Armagh Athletic Club’s Senior Men’s Team.
Service to Sport Awards were presented to Joy Gowdy (Banbridge Golf Club), Joanne McCauley (Portadown Ladies Hockey Club), Valerie Matthews (Banbridge Netball Club) and Paul Cairns (Banbridge Rugby Football Club).
Volunteer Awards were presented to James McMahon (Banbridge Cycling Club), Bronagh Mone (St Mary’s Camogie Club), Gregory Breen (High Moss Sarsfield Gaelic Football Club), Jimmy Boyle (St Paul’s Gaelic Football Club), Joanne O’Kane (Banbridge Netball Club), Allister Campbell (Banbridge Rugby Football Club), Karen Graham (City of Armagh Rugby Football Club), and Simon Patterson (Lurgan Rugby Football and Cricket Club).
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum Chairman, Cathal O’Neill, thanked Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council for the continued support in organising the awards along with new headline sponsor, Rider Levett Bucknall and individual category sponsors including Campbell’s Eurospar, The Downshire Arms Hotel, Playr-Fit and Sport Northern Ireland.
Guests were also reminded about the Talented Athlete and Club Development Grants available with information available on the ABC Sports Forum website.
