Slaughtneil Gaelic Athletic Club was honoured in a glittering ceremony at Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards which celebrated the very best of local sport this week.

The awards were held in the Waterfront Hall attended by over 500 guests including sporting legends Pat Jennings, Paddy Hopkirk, Dame Mary Peters, Mike Gibson, Mickey Harte, Peter Canavan, Stephen Ferris and many others.

Slaughtneil GAC picked the Local Heroes Award, sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland, after they became the first club from Derry to win the Ulster hurling club Championship and the Ulster football Championship while their camogie team, defeated Antrim in the final.

The audience heard a glowing tribute to the club’s achievements from the judges of the awards, read by host Claire McCollum: “What the Gaelic footballers, hurlers and camogie players of Slaughtneil achieved in 2016 was not only unprecedented, but astonishing given the resources of this tiny parish nestled in the foothills of Carn Togher.

“Using several dual players, they became the first club from Derry to win the Ulster hurling club Championship, beating the illustrious Loughgiel in the final, and back it up with the Ulster football Championship with a win over Kilcoo shortly afterwards, becoming the first club ever to win provincial Championships in the one year in two codes.

“Not only that, but their camogie team, who drew the Ulster final against Loughgiel on the same day as the hurling final, came back to defeat the Antrim team in the replay.”

The Sports Star of the Year award was lifted by champion boxer Carl Frampton while other sporting heroes including Dennis Taylor, Rory Best, Michael O’Neill, Michael McGovern and Bethany Firth were also honoured.
Carl Frampton picked up his trophy in recognition of his sporting achievements in 2016 which included being the first boxer from Northern Ireland to win World titles at two different weights, defeating Leo Santa Cruz to claim the featherweight belt.

Manager of the Northern Ireland football team Michael O’Neill, was there to pick up his award for Coach/Manager of the Year, sponsored by Active Financial Life. He was honoured for leading the Green and White Army to unprecedented success in 2016 reaching the second round and winning 2-0 against Ukraine in the Euros. It was the first time in 30 years that Northern Ireland had qualified for a major tournament. The Northern Ireland Football Team won the Team of the Year, sponsored by McComb’s Coach Travel, for their performances at the Euros.

Footballer Michael McGovern won the George Best Breakthrough award, sponsored by GYM Co for his sensational performance against Germany in Paris that earned worldwide praise as he produced a series of astonishing saves.

Snooker player Dennis Taylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a category sponsored by the Parr Group. His remarkable victory over world number one Steve Davis in 1985 has become regarded as one of the great moments in British sport.

Motorsport champions Kris Meeke and Jonathan Rea received a Special Recognition Awards sponsored by Volvo. Kris’ award was made to his brother Barry by rally legend Paddy Hopkirk while Jonathan’s father Jonny picked up his award, presented by Willie John McBride.

Up and coming sportspeople also featured heavily at the awards with Methodist College Belfast’s 1st IX Hockey Team winning Young Team of the Year award, sponsored by Subway while golfer Olivia Mehaffey, took the Young Player of the Year award, sponsored by Decathlon Belfast.

David Seaton, won the WJ Paddy Patterson Award, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Sports Forum, in recognition of his commitment to athletics over several decades.

The Northern Ireland public had been asked to choose their top sporting moment in the run-up to the awards and it was revealed on the night as Gareth McAuley’s heading Northern Ireland to Euro glory on June 16, 2016.

Jim Gracey, Group Sports Editor at the Belfast Telegraph, paid tribute to all the winners and finalists:

“The Sports Awards was a truly uplifting night as we paid tribute to some of the most talented and dedicated in Northern Ireland Sport, marking a year which was so significant for sports played both here and much further afield.
“We had exceptionally strong competition in some of the categories and everyone who was shortlisted can be very proud of their achievements.
“In addition to our nominees I’d like to thank all our guests and presenters, our sponsors, and everyone who helped to make it an unforgettable evening.”
For more information visit www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/sports-awards/

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