Mo pins down top award

The NIWA is proud to say that this year’s Sport NI Local Heroes Award was presented to Mohammad Ali, Coach of the Waterside Sharks and Causeway Giants wrestling clubs, who has represented both GB and Northern Ireland on the international stage.

Congratulating all the winners Belfast Telegraph Editor Mike Gilson said: “The Belfast Telegraph is delighted to honour so many top sporting heroes at our annual awards and 2009 has undoubtedly been an outstanding year for local sports people both at home and abroad. The Belfast Telegraph would also like to pay tribute to our lead sponsor Magners Irish Cider as well as Sport NI who have been a key supporter of the awards this year and of course all our category sponsors Linwoods, Disability Needs, ONE 1918 and NI Sports Forum.”

Paying tribute to all the winners and finalists Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland said, “I welcome this opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland's sporting talent - it is a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of all our sportsmen and women who are such great ambassadors for Northern Ireland."

This is the eighth year that Magners Irish Cider has partnered the Awards as title sponsor and Nicola McCleery, Head of Marketing said: “At Magners we acknowledge the Sports Awards as a very special occasion which acknowledges the outstanding sporting achievements that have been attained over the last twelve months by so many of our talented sports men and women. Magners continues to play an important role within the Northern Ireland sporting arena and we’re delighted to partner the Belfast Telegraph as title sponsor and congratulate all the winners tonight.”

Top golfer Rory McIlroy was named Sports Star of the Year and also honoured were Olympic athlete and hockey international hockey legend Maeve Kyle OBE who was inducted into the Belfast Telegraph Hall of Fame and Special Award winner Ireland cricketer Kyle McCallan.

This year’s ONE 1918 George Best Breakthrough Award was presented to Celtic and Northern Ireland footballer Niall McGinn, whilst Irish rugby international Stephen Ferris won Player of the Year and the Linwoods Team the Year was awarded to Ballynahinch Rugby team.

Up and coming young athlete Ciara Mageean won Young Player of the Year and Armagh Minors clinched the Young Team of the Year trophy. This year’s Sports Person with a Disability award, sponsored by Disability Needs was presented to World Dwarf Games competitor Niall McVeigh with Antrim GAA coach Liam Bradley taking the Sport NI Manager/Coach of the Year.

Sport NI Chief Executive Eamonn McCartan said: “Sport Northern Ireland are delighted to support the Sports Awards again this year, as an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the wealth of sporting talent we have in Northern Ireland. We wish all nominees the best of luck and hope to see many more rising stars in the forthcoming year.”