Prize time for Ballymena Hockey Club

BALLYMENA Hockey Club held their annual end of year dinner and awards night at Leighinmohr Hotel on Saturday night, despite the season still not being completely over for all senior teams.

With the postponement of numerous matches throughout the freezing winter, the campaign has been a long one for all and the two men’s teams and the ladies’ veterans team still have a few more fixtures to fulfil before the summer break can be taken.

There have been many ups and downs this season and Saturday evening was a celebration of the hard work and dedication that has carried the club through all.

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Highlights of the year have included the men’s firsts reaching the semi-finals of the Irish Challenge Trophy, the Ladies Veterans’ team winning their league, the U15 girls’ squad representing Ballymena in the Ulster U15 Finals and two of the club’s rising stars, Emma Kernohan and Ruth Maguire playing on the Irish U16 team this coming weekend in Holland.

The newly formed social group and the reuniting of the ladies veterans team has had a significant impact on the club. Not only have some social members filtered through into senior teams, but the increase of adults into the club is important for the sustenance of hockey in the borough.

An appreciation to all volunteers within the club was given, including committee members, umpires, coaches and parents.

The club are also greatly appreciative to Michelin for sponsoring the grassroots programme, the fruits of which can be seen in the talent displayed by the U13 and U15 teams.

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The club would also like to thank Leighmohr Hotel for their wonderful hospitality including sponsoring a drinks reception at the start of the evening. Sporting Occasions in Antrim worked hard at getting the awards ready in time and the club looks forward to more dealings with the company in the future.

Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman William McNeilly, presented the prizes as the special guest on the evening. Award winners were:

Team of the year – Ladies Veterans

Clubperson of the year – Phil Moody

LADIES

Senior player of the year – Rebekah Reynolds; Top goalscorer – Rebekah Reynolds; Most consistent – Susanne Bell; Most improved – Lorna Murphy and Ashley Harbison; Player of the year 1sts – Emma Leslie; Player of the year 2nds – Grace McBurney; Player of the year 3rds – Clare Headden; Representative honours – Sara Allen (Ulster U16), Emma Kernohan & Ruth Maguire (Ulster and Ireland U16); Veterans’ player of the year – Jackie McWilliams and Grace Henry; Most promising veterans player – Jenny Carroll; Most promising social player – Jenny Donald and Kellie Greer.

UNDER-15

Player of the year – Jessica Duncan and Clare Donald; Top goalscorer – Lauren Kennedy and Amy Logan; Most improved – Zoe Dixon and Alison Marshall; Players’ player of the year – Jenny Sutherland

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Player of the year 1sts - Chris Hogg; Player of the year 2nds - Aaron Murphy; Clubman of year - Phil Moody; Young player of year - Matt O’Neill; Most improved player - Al Donald & Ethan Archer; Top goal scorer - Phil Nicholl; Representative Honours - Andrew Bell (Ulster Junior).