It's a night of celebration for Rathfriland Football Club

The local club enjoyed a night of celebration, with four trophies on display being ample evidence of another great season at Iveagh Park for both junior and senior clubs alike.

Other big winners on the night were James Costello, the clubs leading goalscorer, whilst Costello and Ross Black were the recipients of the Manager’s Players Of the Year award.

Young Player of the Year went to Mark Weir, whilst Scott Rowland picked up the Most Improved Player. Most Dedicated Player went to Ashton Marks, Sportsman of the Year was Neil McCracken and Clubman of the Year was Lindsay Bronte.

The awards night was held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, with 140 in attendance in a family and community atmosphere in what was a terrific night for the club.

Chairman Junior Murray opened his remarks by welcoming everyone to the evening, especially special guest Kathy Wilson. The Chairman then passed on his thanks to all the sponsors, supporters and voluntary workers for their continued support.

He then thanked all the players and managers of all the teams for their effort over the past season noting that it would go down in history as a record breaker with the club winning two senior and two junior trophies.

First to mention was Rangers, under the leadership of Cliffy Sterritt and Dennis Niblock, winning the Div 1A League and also having five players in Shane Harrison, James Costello, Chris Havern, Tommy Lockhart and Ross Black represent the club in representative squads for both the NI Regions Cup and the Britton Rose Bowl.

Thanks then went Rangers Reserves finishing a very creditable mid table position under the management of Keith Megaw and Brian Magennis and also to Robbie Keown who guided the Colts to the McCalls Newcastle league Div 3 title.

Junior then made reference to the brilliant youth set up at Iveagh Park under the chairmanship of Lindsay Bronte, claiming the U 14 and U 15 league titles as great reward for Lindsay Bronte and Alan Wilson`s management of the respective teams.

The Chairman then took time out to reflect and pay special thanks former manager Cliffy Sterritt for his time and effort and passion to win the Div 1A Amateur league for Rathfriland FC.

The awards were presented by special guest of the evening Kathy Wilson.

Rathfriland Under 19`s

Managers Player of the Year – Mark Weir

Players Player of the Year – Ben Clydesdale

Leading Goalscorer – Ben Clydsedale

Colts

Annett & Ingram Shield – Leading Goalscorer – Niall Maginn

J Ingram Shield – Players Player of the Year – Ciaran Crosby

B Stevenson Shield – Managers Player of the Year – Niall Maginn

Rangers Reserves

The Murray Shield – Leading Goalscorer – Philip Main

The Trevor Weir Shield – Players Player of the Year – Andy Stewart

The Davenport Shield – Managers Players of the Year – Andy Stewart

Rangers

The George Wilton Memorial Cup – Leading Goalscorer – James Costello

The Mervyn Groves Shield – Players Player of the Year – Chis Havern

The H Ochiltree Cup – Managers Players Of the Year – Ross Black / James Costello

Club Awards

The A Donaldson Cup – Young Player of the Year – Mark Weir

The W Cochrane Shield - Most Improved Player – Scott Rowland

The Old George Cup – Most Dedicated Player – Ashton Marks

The C McKernan Cup – Sportsman of the Year – Neil McCracken

The G McRory Cup – Clubman of the Year – Lindsay Bronte

The Chairman then handed over to Gary Wilson, representing the Supporters Club, who sponsored a new Supporters Players of the Year Cup which was won by John Scanell.

Gary also paid tribute to the youth teams and the Colts on their success.

James Costello presented a gift to Janine Black, father of Ross and Aaron Black who play for Rangers, thanking him for the coaching contribution he made over the season.

Janine spoke graciously about the club in return.

He paid tribute to senior players such as Lee Feeney and Johnny Black and mentioned that in Paul Kirk he thought that this was a positive appointment, who could bring further success to the club.