Ballycastle’s ‘Mr Football’ honoured

A proud Billy Watson pictured receiving his Outstanding Contribution to Sport award from Mickley Harte at Moyle Sports Awards held in Ballycastle Golf Club on Saturday night. Also included are Tom Christie, chair Moyle Sports Advisory Committee, Shane Elliott, speaker and ....INBM49-13 405F.

Billy Watson walked away with the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award at the annual Moyle Sports Awards on Saturday night with a ringing endorsement of his work for local clubs.

Announcing the award, Damian McAfee, who helped co-ordinate the event attended by 90 or so guests at Ballycastle Golf Club, said the award was for services to soccer in Ballycastle.

He said Mr. Watson had begun playing for Ballycastle in 1977 and over a period of 35 years had also been a manager and committee member of local clubs.

He was a founder member of Coleraine Tech Old Boys and then Moyle F.C.

“He was the inspiration to anyone getting involved in grass roots sports and always displayed a level head off the pitch,” Mr McAfee said.

A number of Mr Watson’s team mates were present to pick up one themselves – the Adult Team Award.

The night proved a big success for the organisers with good support from Moyle councillors and sportsmen and women in the area.

The other big award of the night went to Cushendall hurler, Neil McManus.

Guest speaker was Tyrone manager, Mickey Harte, who gave a heart-warming and encouraging motivational speech to the audience.

Former Dunloy and Antrim hurler, Shane Elliott, provided a humorous touch to the evening with a number of jokes and stories.