PICTURE GALLERY: North Antrim Sports Awards come out on top again

SATURDAY'S North Antrim Sports Awards were hailed as the best yet by many of the 300 people in attendance at Lissanoure Castle.

Scores of the top sportsmen and women from across the region gathered in Loughgiel for the awards ceremony to celebrate the wealth of local talent from both boroughs.

And the night was universally praised by those fortunate enough to be make the final shortlists for the prestigious awards.

The cream of the local sporting world was out in force for what is without doubt the number one sports awards ceremony in the area - as well as the only one not funded at the ratepayers' expense.

Sponsored by a number of businesses - including principal backer Complete Gyms - Joel Taggart was again excellent as compere and special guest John O'Neill recalled playing against legends such as Zico and Michael Platini during his days as a member of the Northern Ireland squad.

And the food was equal to the company, Iris' Farmyard Cuisine pulling out all the stops to produce a mouth-watering four course meal prior to the distribution of the gongs.

The award winners came from across the sporting sphere and the Ashcroft family left happy - Alan picking up Coach of the Year while son Cameron left clutching Young Sportsman of the Year.

The judging panel debated until the 11th hour on the majority of categories - testament to the calibre of sports stars locally - but in the end the winners on the night were:

Molly's Restaurant Young Sportswoman of the Year - Megan Morrow and Katie Mullan

A key member of Ballycastle Bowling Club from the age of 10, Megan was selected to represent Ireland in the Under 25 Junior International Series in England in July - a remarkable achievement for the pint-sized 12-year-old.

An exceptionally gifted hockey player with Ballymoney, Katie was a member of the Under-16 Ulster team which won the inter-provincials at the end of last year.

At Easter she travelled to Holland with the Ireland Under 16 panel for a tournament and was selected for the team in the European Youth Championships in July and World Youth Olympics in Singapore in the summer.

Runner up: Sammy Jo Greer

Big Bird Design Young Sportsman of the Year: Cameron Ashcroft

This year Cameron snapped up an incredible seven titles. A leading judo player he won the Northern Ireland Schools making him the number one junior in the sport in the country.

He also won the Northern Ireland Youth Games, trials and North West Open. He is also an exceptional wrestler, ranking number one in Northern Ireland and number two in the UK, after winning the Northern Ireland Open and Closed competitions, Irish Open and a runner-up finish in the Derbyshire Open.

Runners up: Ciaran Clarke, Shane Jennings and Adam Hunter

Drones Stones Young Sports Team of the Year: William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School

The small Dervock school has developed a wonderful pedigree in local schools football under coaches William and Lorraine McConaghie.

Despite having only 74 pupils, William Pinkerton have more than matched much larger schools on the pitch, doing the area proud in a number of tournaments in Coleraine and Ballymena.

The outstanding achievement of the year though was their joint title win in the Northern Ireland Small Schools competition against all the odds which saw the title return to north Antrim for the first time in almost 20 years.

Runners up: Cross and Passion, Dalriada Under 13 Football Team, Ballycastle Under-21s

Complete Gyms Special Performer Award: Jason McBride

The Ballycastle man is a wizard with a cue in his hand and has had another year to remember on the baize.

The Rathmoyle pool ace has scooped numerous gongs on the domestic front this year and is a key member of the Northern Ireland Special Pool team.

Runner up: Darren McGuckian

Causeway Hotel Merit Award: Gareth Scott

Back in January Glebe Rangers appeared to be hurtling to Championship Division 2 with just seven points from 14 games.

The club's chiefs acted to appoint Gary Scott when the team suffered an 8-1 humiliation at the hands of Donegal Celtic.

And what a decision that turned out to be. 20 points from the remaining 12 games saw Glebe pull in their rivals and right at the wire they beat off the threat of relegation to ensure Ballymoney has two team's battling it out in the second tier of Irish League football.

Runners up: Cloughmills Girls and Boys Football Team, Armoy Rugby Club

Trolans Super Valu Sports Veteran of the Year: Stephen Graham

Bodybuilder Stephen's chiselled physique secured him the IFBB European title in Ukraine earlier in the year – a fantastic achievement.

He is currently setting his sights on the World Championships in Turkey in eight weeks time before taking part in one of the sport's most prestigious competitions – the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic – in America in March.

Runners up: Sam Graham, John Madden

Arts in Frames Coach of the Year: Alan Ashcroft

Judo coach Alan is among the hardest working coaches in north Antrim, if not the country, and his efforts have been rewarded emphatically with his students lifting national and international awards on a consistent basis.

Alan is at the helm of the hugely successful Causeway Judo and Causeway Giants Wrestling Clubs which cater for those of all ages and abilities.

Runners up: Jason Taggart, Alan Martin and Gareth Scott

Biesty's Centra Special Achievement of the Year: Dunloy Cuchullains

The forward-thinking Cuchullains set out their plans for a cutting-edge sports academy several years ago.

At a cost of well over 1 million many may have dismissed it as a pipe dream, but the commitment and dedication of those at the club resulted in the dream of such outstanding facilities becoming a reality.

The Dunloy Sports Academy - which would rival any throughout the Province - was officially opened in July.

Runners up: Ballymoney Cycling Club and Ballycastle Hockey Club

First Trust Event of the Year: Armoy Road Races

2010 was the second year of the event which has brought road racing back to its spiritual home in north Antrim.

Local fans were delighted to see home favourite William Dunlop lift the man of the meeting accolade this year.

The number of spectators was estimated to have doubled for the 2010 event which is expected to go from strength to strength in the coming years as bikers from across the world hurtle down the same roads once used by the legendary Armoy Armada.

Runner up: GPC Powerlifting Championships

Roadside Garages Team of the Year: Ballymoney Rugby Club and Loughgiel Shamrocks

This season was one of the most memorable in the history of Ballymoney Rugby Club after they lifted the Towns' Cup for the first time.

The club came from 14-5 down at half-time to win 15-14 against Clougher Valley in the Ravenhill showpiece.

They also performed well in the Kukri Qualifying League, showing they are more than capable of mixing it with the big boys.

They were named Kukri Ulster Club of the Year.

Loughgiel ended a 21 year wait when they won this season's Antrim Hurling Championship by beating Cushendall - their seventh final attempt in eight years.

Last weekend they booked their place in the Ulster final where they will take on Armagh champions Keady.

Runners up: Dunloy hurlers, St Brigid's Cloughmills and Ballymoney Bowling Club

Basil Knipe Electrics Sportswoman of the Year: Jo Patterson

Athlete Jo has just returned home after representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in India.

Despite being hampered by injuries over the past 12 months Joanna has competed at events throughout the UK and Ireland as well as the World Student Games in Serbia.

Runners up: Claire Wilkinson and Bridget Cleland

Complete Gyms Sportsman of the Year: Norman Parke

Mixed martial arts ace Norman has big ambitions to champion the sport he dedicates his life to.

A gruelling fitness regime coupled with countless hours in the dojo is already paying dividends for the Bushmills man.

This year Norman - a black belt in judo - beat renowned fighter Tom Maguire at Cage Contender before the TV cameras, cementing his place in the top 15 MMA fighters in the UK and is currently the number one in Ireland.

Norman is Northern Ireland Freestyle Wrestling Champion in two categories and will compete for the British title on November 14 in Nottingham.

Runners up: Gary Kelly, Paul Robinson, William Dunlop, Dylan Murray and Tommy Morrow

Related topics: