The 11th Ballymena Sports Awards once again showcased the rich array of sporting talent that resides and competes within the Ballymena borough.
The impressive surroundings of the Braid Town Hall complex once again played host to what has become the jewel in the crown of the area's sporting social calendar for another memorable night.
"This event has been organised by Ballymena Borough Council to showcase and celebrate the great wealth of talent and commend the successes that have been achieved by the local sporting community during 2008," said Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Maurice Mills.
"We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from our sponsors which helps us to deliver an event which befits the standard of the nominees.
"Tonight celebrates the talented athletes that the borough of Ballymena has, but it also recognises the commitment and dedication that coaches, administrators and volunteers provide to the overall organisation of sport."
The Mayor also reiterated Council's support for sport in the borough through provision of facilities and also funding programmes such as the Sports Grants Scheme and Sporting Excellence Scheme.
The Mayor also congratulated the Ballymena Community Sport Programme - spearheaded by Gary Boyd - which finished runner-up in the UK-wide National Lottery Awards and he also hailed the BCSP for its work in increasing participation in physical activity for young people within the Ballykeel, Ballee, Dunclug and Fair Green wards, which have been idenitfied as disadvantaged areas.


Hall of Fame - David Humphreys (rugby)

THE standing ovation awarded to Hall of Fame inductee David Humphreys illustrates exactly the esteem in which he is held within his home borough, as well as much further afield.
Having taken his first tentative steps in rugby at Ballymena Academy, he went on to have a glittering career, laced with forgettable moments for both Ulster - who he led to European Cup success in 1999 - and Ireland, for whom he won 72 caps and scored 560 points.
Humphreys has always epitomised modesty throughout his career and in typical fashion, he said: "When you start to play sport, you don't do it for awards and individual gain.
"I feel I am hugely privileged to play what I believe is the best team sport in the world."
Surprisingly, David's first sporting hero had nothing to do with the oval ball - instead he wanted to emulated Kenny Dalglish and play for Liverpool!
"You have your dreams as a youngster. When I was growing up, I had a poster on my wall of Ulster's team of the 80s. It was my dream to be in Ulster's team of the 90s and fortunately I had the chance to live that dream.
"It doesn't matter what level you play sport at, there is a huge amount of luck involved and I have been very fortunate in that sense."
Humphreys joins other sporting icons such as Syd Millar, Dame Mary Peters, Sean and Maeve Kyle, Willie John McBride, Nigel Worthington, Billy Kerr and Jessica Kurten in Ballymena's Sporting Hall of Fame.


Junior Sportsperson (Sponsored by Flamingo Health & Fitness) - Dermot McElroy (golf)

DERMOT McElroy's dream of becoming a professional golfer continues to 'drive' in the right direction.
The 15-year-old enjoyed a 2008 to remember, culminating in his selection as Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
The quietly-spoken St Patrick's College student swept all before him at his age level, winning the Connacht under-15s, Leinster under-15s, Ulster under-15s and Irish under-15s titles.
By winning the Nick Faldo under-15 tournament, Dermot qualified for the finals in Brazil in October, where he finished in third place in his age group.
Dermot also represented Ireland and was runner-up in the Ulster Boys' under-18 tournament.
Also short-listed: Lyndsay McPhee (canoeing); Dean Thompson (quad biking); Matthew Robinson (tennis).


Ballymena Community Sports Award (sponsored by Diamond Recruitment) - Colin Stewart (football/multi-skills)

COLIN Stewart's dedication to providing children in Ballymena South with an outlet to play football saw him become the first winner of the Ballymena Community Sports Award.
Colin runs a Saturday morning coaching school at Ballee playing fields for children between 10-14 years old.
He has undertaken various child protection and coaching courses and has gained the qualifications which underline his commitment to providing grassroots football in his home town, particular in the target wards of the Ballymena Community Sport Programme.
"WHen boys reached the age of 10 who maybe weren't good enough to make the local teams, there was no outlet for them to play football," explained Colin.
"When I have needed equipment or help, Gary Boyd (Community Sports Development Officer) has only been a phone call away," added Colin, who also thanked Ballymena Borough Council for its "invaluable" help.
Also short-listed: Joe Keenan (football); Martin McAvoy (Disability Forum).


Coach of the Year (sponsored by Wrightbus) - David Toney (ju-jitsu)

DAVID Toney's dedication to developing ju-jitsu saw him rewarded with the Coach of the Year accolade.
The Ballymena man is currently the sport's national coach in Ireland and as well as operating his own club, he has also devoted his time to working with community groups in his belief that learning a martial art gives a participant more to gain than just physical skill.
David recently oversaw a major black belt grading event in Ballymena and two new clubs were formed in the Ballymena area in 2008 as a result of training and expertise given to the coaches by David
"Ju-jitsu is still a minority sport but it is a developing sport with around 3,500 people taking part in Northern Ireland," explained David.
"Ju-jitsu encompasses all the skills of other martial arts like punching, kicking and throwing but there are so many other things to it as well.
"We work with kids with learning difficulties who can develop their skills through martial arts," added David.
Also short-listed: John Devlin (football and multi-skills); Barney McCann (GAA); Robert Young (football).


Adult Sportsperson (sponsored by Ballymena Credit Union) - Ryan Connor (cycling)

RYAN Connor's hunger for success remains as strong as ever, after winning the Adult Sportsperson award for the fifth time in seven years.
He was once again a worthy winner after becoming the first Northern Irish rider to win the gruelling Easter Tour of the North stage race for the third time, as well as having numerous other successes in domestic races.
"I would like to win the Tour of the North for a fourth time and I would love to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games next year - those are the two targets," said the Ahoghill cyclist.
His exploits have been all the more remarkable given that he has been suffering from a mysterious heart condition for the past two years.
"I've been to see a lot of doctors and specialist but no-one seems to know although I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it some day," added Ryan.
Also short-listed: Johnny Steed (athletics)


Sporting Performance (sponsored by Stirling Trophies) - All Saints GAC (GAA)

A THRILLING fightback to win their first Intermediate Football Championship for 22 years secured the Sporting performance accolade for All Saints GAC.
With just over 20 minutes left of the final against St Ergnat's, the Ballymena side trailed by seven points but staged a remarkable comeback in the closing stages to win 2-8 to 1-9.
Captain Paul McCann explained: "I've played for the club for about 12 years and we've got to quarter-finals and semi-finals but this was the first time we got to the final and we won it.
"Even with just under 20 minutes left, I knew we had the breeze behind us and we've been comeback kings in matches all season so I was always confident we could do it."
When asked about the celebrations afterwards, Paul replied with tongue firmly in cheek: "We had a quiet night!"
Also short-listed: Ballymena Bowling Club ladies' triples (bowls); Glens of Antrim ladies (tug of war); Erin Smith (bowls).


Services to Sport (sponsored by Progressive Building Society) - Billy O'Flaherty (football)

A LIFETIME of involvement in football at junior and particularly youth level earned Billy O'Flaherty a well-deserved Services to Sport gong.
Billy is recognised as one of the game's leading administrators through his work with Carniny Youth, the Ballymena Mini Soccer League and a long association with the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, where he is chairman of the County Antrim committee.
"I've always enjoyed sport and it has kept me busy," explained Billy.
"We reformed Carniny Youth in 2000 and we currently have 250 kids involved with the club - it has really taken off."
Of the Mini Soccer League, he says: "We are indebted to our sponsors for giving the opportunity for young kids to get an introduction to football."
Also short-listed: Richard Wilson (cycling); Ross Hill (special pool); Alaster McWilliams (GAA).


School Performance (sponsored by Clive Richardson Ltd) - Ballykeel Primary School (football)

BALLYKEEL Primary School's football team made light of the old maxim that it's more difficult to retain a title than it is to win it in the first place.
The team successfully defended the Ballymena and District League and also added the Senior Cup for good measure, making them a deserved choice for the School Performance award.
During the season the team won all 12 of the competitive matches they played, scoring 43 goals and conceding only seven.
"We were fortunate that we only lost two fellas from the previous year - this year we have lost nine so it is proving a bit more difficult," said coach Graham Murray.
"But it was very pleasing - the boys did really well and deserve all the credit," added Graham.
Also short-listed: Ballymena Primary School (football).


Sportsperson/team with a Disability (sponsored by JBE Building Services) - Drew Cochrane (golf)

BLIND golfer Drew Cochrane's most consistent year to date saw him receive the Sportsperson/Team with a Disability award.
The Pinegrove man's accomplishments in 2008 included: 11th in the British Blind Masters (Wolverhampton), eighth in the British Blind Open (Antrim), fifth in the World Blind Championship (Belfast), second in the Nova Scotia Blind Open and second in the Canadian Blind Open.
"I was pleased with fifth place at Belvoir because it was the first time the Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association has hosted the World Championship," explained Drew.,
"I lost my sight in 1980 and I took up golf in 1991, through a friend, and I've been playing since.
"I've been to Canada for the last five years and also been to places like Japan and Australia so golf has given me a life," he added.
Also short-listed: Darrell Erwin (athletics); Ballymena Special Olympic Club (bocce).


Team of the Year (sponsored by First Trust Bank) - Ballymena Bowling Club senior team (bowls)

BALLYMENA Bowling Club's quest for Irish Senior Cup glory, lasting almost a century, finally ended in 2008.
That fulfilment of that 'Holy Grail', along with winning the Private Greens Senior Cup, saw the Old Ballymoney Road men named as Team of the Year.
Senior team captain Jackie Robinson reflected on a "fantastic year" for the club, capped by that Irish Cup success.
"We've waited 98 years, we've been in quite a few finals and eventually it has come to Ballymena.
"Bowls was always viewed as an old man's game but we have a lot of young talent coming through.
"Add in the experience of players like Sammy Allen and Jim Baker and you have a base to work from," added Jackie.
Also short-listed: Glens of Antrim ladies (tug of war); Ballymena United Allstars U-13s (football); Ballymena Cricket Club First XI.