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Sporting stars celebrated at gala awards evening

Sporting stars celebrated at gala awards evening

Mon, November 06, 2017

The efforts of sportspeople across the area were applauded at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Sports Awards on Friday evening (November 3rd).

The event, held in the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine, aims to recognise all those who play a role in sport as participants, coaches and mentors.

The overall winners were selected following regional heats which were held in Ballymoney, Coleraine, Moyle and Limavady. The assessment panel faced difficult deliberations due to the high standard of nominees across many of the categories.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, said: “This is the third year of our gala sports awards, which allow us to honour those who play such an important role in sporting life right across the Borough. I would like to commend all our nominees, who are fantastic ambassadors for our area and role models for the next generation. The Causeway Coast and Glens can feel rightly proud of our sporting successes, which are made possible by those who continue to dedicate their time to achieving their very best.”

One of the biggest applauses of the night was reserved for the youngest recipient – seven-year-old golf star Ollie McEvoy who received the Chairmen’s Award. Earlier this year, the Ballycastle boy was the only Irish player to participate in the World Championships finishing a creditable 10th place in his age category, and he also secured a raft of titles including the Junior Irish Masters. 

During the event, a special video message of congratulations was relaid to Ollie from golfing legend Darren Clarke. It was also a special evening for him as he became the second person to be inducted into the Causeway Coast and Glens sporting Hall of Fame.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event, including compere Sarah Travers, MC Tom Christie, Event AV who provided lighting, sound and video, members of the local sports councils and Damian Mullan and Anne Paul for their contribution to the assessment panel.

A special word of thanks is extended to the award sponsors - Kennedy Orthodontics, Grafton Recruitment, Arbutus Catering Group, Small Cost Carpets and Johnston Printing for their support.

The winners: 

Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Hannah Scott (rowing)

Junior Sportsman of the Year: Graham Kennedy (cricket)

Junior Sports Team of the Year: Coleraine FC Academy U16 Squad (Soccer)

Sportsperson with a disability: Kyle Cooper (swimming)

Sports Administrator of the Year: Jenni Thompson (swimming)

Services to Sport: Tommy Smith (bowls)

Coach of the Year: Mary Robinson (gymnastics)

Merit Award 2017: Naomh Bríd GAC, Cloughmills (hurling)

Senior Team of the Year: Eoghan Rua Coleraine Senior Gaelic Football Team 

Sportswoman of the Year: Claire McLaughlin (rugby)

Sportsman of the Year: Ian McClure (bowls)

International Sportsperson of the Year: Katie Mullan (hockey)

Chairmen’s Award: Ollie McEvoy (golf)

Hall of Fame: Darren Clarke (golf)

The youngest award recipient of the evening, Ollie McEvoy, a rising star in the world of golf, winner of the Chairmen’s Award pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers, Tom Christie, Hugh Wade and John McMullan as his proud parents look on. Swimmer Kyle Cooper, winner of the Sportsperson with a Disability Award, pictured along with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and representatives from award sponsor Arbutus Catering Group. Cathal McLaughlin, Damian Watson, Eamon Morrison and Sean Watson, representing Naomh Bríd GAC hurling team, Cloughmills, receive their Merit Award from the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers representatives from award sponsor Arbutus Catering Group. International Sportsperson of the Year, hockey player Katie Mullan pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and representatives from award sponsor Arbutus Catering Group. Player Luke McKendry and coach Andy Law, representing Coleraine FC Academy U16 Squad, winners of the Junior Sports Team of the Year pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Gill Small, Jonny Rankin and Aaron Newton from award sponsor Smallcost Carpets. Coach of the Year, Mary Robinson from Sika Gymnastics Club pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Aaron Newton, Gill Small and Jonny Rankin representing award sponsor Smallcost Carpets. Bowler Ian McClure, who was named Sportsman of the Year at the gala evening pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Gill Small, Aaron Newton and Jonny Rankin from award sponsor Smallcost Carpets. Cricketer Graham Kennedy was named Junior Sportsman of the Year. Pictured with his award are proud dad John and brothers Stephen and Stuart along with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Zoe Gage and Laura Loughridge from award sponsor Kennedy Orthodontics. Representatives of Eoghan Rua Senior Gaelic Football Team, winners of Senior Team of the Year pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Carol Noble and Alan Montgomery from award sponsor Grafton Recruitment. Tommy Smith, who has dedicated over 50 years to bowls in the Ballymoney area, receives his Services to Sport award from the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, compere Sarah Travers and Zoe Gage and Laura Loughridge from award sponsor Kennedy Orthodontics.
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