GAA stalwart gets top honour at Moyle Sports Awards

Brian McShane was given the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award at the annual ceremony in Ballycastle Golf Club on Saturday night and told by guest speaker, Adrian Logan, the former UTV sports presenter, that his career in the sport was remarkable.

Mr. McShane, who in his 82nd year, has been associated with McQuillans GAC in Ballycastle all his life having served in virtually all capacities including player, chairman, secretary, treasurer, groundsman, Trustee, President and team manager.

“No task was ever too big or too small for Brian who enjoyed a distinguished playing career,” Mr Logan told the audience.

He added that in 1964 as manager, the Ballycastle club won the senior hurling championship and at one time Mr McShane had three brothers and three brothers in law in the team.

“Brian still works behind the scenes and is a very modest man who fully deserves this award,” Mr Logan added.

Responding in typical modesty, Mr McShane, who received a standing ovation, said: “I appreciate being here very much, but I don’t know in God’s name why.”

Another veteran award winner was Liscolman resident, Dessie Scott, who walked away with the sportsperson of the Year.

In a remarkable career in powerlifting, Mr. Scott has become the first ever person to lift the Moyle award as well as the Ballymoney Sports Advisorty committee award.

A Northern Ireland, British and World champion, Mr. Scott is the only person in the U.K. still to hold a Commonwealth record.

He is a member of the Ballymoney Powerlifting club as well as training with his long-time friend, Gerry McLaughlin, in Coleraine.

The team of the year award went to Ruairi Ogs, Cushendall, who won the County Antrim senior hurling championship. It was a good night for Cushendall after Ruairi Og Camogie Club won the Special Merit Senior Award after winning the County Antrim minor championship.

Paddy Reid a remarkable pool player who has numberous world titles won the Disability in Sport trophy.

The U18 sports person went to Caitrin Dobbin, an outstanding Camogie player who is also an exceptional Irish dancer. She is a student at Cross and Passion College where another award – the Junior Team U21 - was given to their hurling players.

The first award of the evening, the Junior Team Award, U14 went to Ballycastle Tennis club.

In addition to Adrian Logan, the entertainment was provided by comedian, Gerry Donnelly, who had the audience in stitches.

The main co-ordinator of the evening, Damian McAfee, was praised for all his work in organising the event.