Midfielder wins impressive awards

The talented midfielder, who netted 16 goals during ’Stute’s title winning season, received his award from ex-Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong, at the Northern Ireland Football Writers gala awards night in Belfast.

The 22-year-old scored in the Drumahoe club’s final game of the season in a 2-0 win over Limavady United - a result that saw Paul Kee’s side finish top of the Championship.

“I think we’ll definitely compete, we play football and we can mix it at the same time, so I think we’ll take points off the top teams and we’ll compete with the bottom six sides.”

“I’m enjoying things at Stute,” he added.

“But I enjoyed last season more, because this season has been a bit stop start because I have had a few injuries and I think that was partially to do with me going on holidays during pre-season, which won’t be happening again next season.

“I know it was my fault even though the holiday was booked a year before, but as I said it wont be happening this summer. I’ll be getting my head down working hard over the summer before pre-season training starts, hopefully I’ll have no injuries and kick on again next season.”

The Waterside men were also in the running for the Jimmy Dubois Non-Senior Team of the Year award, however Ballymena side Harryville Homers claimed that title.

It was also double celebrations for Ballymena, as along with the Homers, who were unbeaten throughout their season, Ballymena United’s secretary Don Stirling was presented with the NIFWA Merit award.

Stirling’s proud association with the Sky Blues spans 40 years.

Cliftonville’s Tommy Breslin claimed the Manager of the Year trophy, while Joe Gormley claimed the Player of the Year prize.

Gormley bagged 37 goals last term - breaking Cliftonville’s club record of most goals in a season.