FOOTBALL: Comrades' delight as ex-player Cooper wins Young Player of Year

The 20-year-old joined Glenavon last summer from the Comrades, scoring eight goals and providing 20 assists for the Lurgan Blues.

Last August, Cooper, dubbed the Mourneview Messi, was called up to Northern Ireland’s Under-21 squad after he caught the eye of boss Jim Magilton.

And news that Cooper had won the accolade was well received at Dixon Park. Ballyclare tweeted: “Congratulations to @Joel__Coops on winning the Ulster Young Footballer of the Year award. We are so happy with your success.”