Locals 'boss' awards bash

A large crowd packed into Michelin Athletic Club on the outskirts of Broughshane for the annual end of season bash.

And it wasn’t just chef Charlie Havelin’s culinary delights which left a sweet taste as far as the north Antrim contingent was concerned.

Dunloy boss Paul Baird’s men dominated the shortlists for the individual awards for the Intermediate Division, with Baird pipping Raceview’s Jason Cairns to the Manager of the Year trophy.

Brendan McGarry was named Player of the Year ahead of Ballynure Old Boys’ Mark Leckey and Matthew Armstrong of Brantwood.

Charlie and Eoghan Scott were runners-up in the Sportsman and Young Player of the Year categories respectively - Clough Rangers Athletic stalwart Nigel Boyd crowned Sportsman of the Year.

The McReynolds Cup winners also featured two players in the top five leading goalscorers - John John McFerran (22 goals) and Brendan McGarry (20 goals).

Ballymoney United Reserves were crowned league winners of Junior Division 1 and scooped runners-up of the Fair Play Team of the Year.

Manager James Gilchrist won manager of the year and Mark McFerran was named runner-up in the Young Player of the Year category .In Division 2, runners-up Finvoy had two players in the top scorers charts with Ian Parkhill coming out on top with 48 goals. Gareth Hanna notched an impressive 25.

Parkhill made it a double by lifting the Player of the Year gong and Andrew Magee was runner-up Sportsman of the Year.

With the league having just enjoyed its 62nd season, the mayor of Ballymena touched on the importance of safeguarding the competition for decades to come.

Maurice Mills said it was vital football teams continue to carefully manage their finances as the credit crunch continues to bite hard.

He congratulated all the prizewinners in attendance and paid homage to those behind what he described as a “vibrant and progressive” league.

“To have the number of teams involved is quite something,” he said.

“It is a fantastic achievement in itself particularly when you look back over the years.

“It leaves you in no doubt there is progress as far as soccer is concerned in the area.

“Congratulations to all those who have obtained awards, and for those who haven’t - well, there’s always next season.”

Mr Mills also singled out the sponsors who contribute to the teams and the league itself as well as praising the match officials and league secretary Billy McIlroy.

Hugh Connolly of Michelin Athletic Club - the primary backers of the league - presented a sponsorship cheque from the club to the organisers after reiterating their commitment to the competition.

Vice-chairman of the league Robert Fenton said the Ballymena League continues to go from strength to strength.

“Let’s not run away from the fact it is one of the best administered leagues in the country,” he said.

Mr Fenton pointed to Brantwood’s participation in the league last season as proof of the respect for the Ballymena league throughout the province. He said he was confident other established sides would follow suit.

“I am delighted to hear there will be some new teams in the junior division next year,” continued Mr Fenton.

“This again speaks volumes of the strength of the league.”

Mr Fenton then raised the matter of synthetic 3G pitches, arguing how the introduction of such a surface would benefit local teams.

Cliftonville recently were given the green light to install the cutting-edge pitch which provides excellent playing facilities all year round.

The Belfast side were able to do so following a substantial grant from the IFA. Mr Fenton said he would like to see more efforts in the near future for a 3G pitch in Ballymena.

Don Stirling of Ballymena United told the audience that should such the IFA invite applications for the scheme again, Ballymena would again endeavour to secure funds towards the pitch.

He presented a cheque on behalf of Ballymena United to the league and praised Billy McIlroy and the other league officials for their efforts throughout the season.