The district’s top sportsmen and women gathered at the Belmont Hotel last night (Wednesday 3 March) to attend the annual Senior Sports Awards ceremony organised by the Council in association with Banbridge District Sports Association.

Over 180 guests attended the prestigious sporting event to honour the winners in each category as they received their awards from Yvonne Jackson from Donaghy Shoefair Sports and Alison Wilson from Banbridge District Sports Association. Denise Watson, a sports presenter with BBC NI, compered the event.

Speaking at the awards, Alison Wilson, Chairman, Banbridge District Sports Association, said: “These awards enable us to showcase some of the best sporting talent in the Banbridge District. Congratulations to every athlete for representing our area and doing us proud. The judging in every category was very difficult because we have such a wealth of sporting talent. You are all so deserving of an award and adulation.”

Among the award winners to be recognised at the event for their outstanding sporting achievements in 2009 were:

Special Olympic Athletes of the Year
Nine athletes who achieved gold medals at the Ulster Regional Games 2009 received a Special Olympic Athlete of the Year Award at this year’s event. Among them were Robert Crory who won gold in aquatics and Paul Ewbanks and Tony Lunny who each won three gold medals in gymnastics. Other awardees included Denise Fegan, Niki Graham, Nicholas Grant and Darren McClatchey who won gold in bocce, Emma Higgins who won gold in bocce and athletics and Philip Patton who won gold in athletics, bocce and table tennis.

Sportswoman of the Year
Netball star Clare Henry, who won silver at European level, won the Sportswoman of the Year Award. Runner-up was northern and all-Ireland karate champion Fiona O’Neill.

Sportsman of the Year
Wheelchair basketball player Matthew Rolston, who won a world bronze medal and European trophy won the Sportsman of the Year Award.  Runner-up was Northern Ireland’s top clay pigeon shooter Aaron Smith.
 
Senior Team of the Year 
Dunbarton Bowling Club’s Senior Team, who won the treble and made club history, won the Senior Team of the Year Award.

Club of the Year
Aghaderg Gaelic Football and Ballyvarley Hurling Club who had 12 members on the Down squads and won division two of the senior hurling championship for the first time in the club’s history, won the Club of the Year Award.

Coach of the Year
Hockey coach Simon Jess won the Coach of the Year Award for coaching Edenderry Primary School and Banbridge Academy to success in 2009.

Service to Sport
Martin Lennon, who has given 27 years service to community games in Banbridge and County Down, won the Service to Sport Award.

Chairman’s Award
Golfing talent Connor Doran who followed in the footsteps of sporting greats by winning the premier scratch cup in Ireland won the Chairman’s Award, a new award category in recognition of his outstanding sports achievements during the year.