Congrats to our 2025 Senior Sports Award Winners!

March 31, 2025

There was an overwhelming sense of pride at the ABC Senior Sports Awards on Friday 28 March when 150 guests gathered at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre to honour the A-list of the local sporting community and to celebrate their impressive achievements over the past year.

Organised by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum, with headline sponsor Rider Levett Bucknall, the awards ceremony was a celebration of the individuals, teams and clubs who have represented Northern Ireland, Ulster and Ireland at European and world competitions.

The awards also recognise coaches and volunteers behind sporting successes at the highest level.

The wealth of sporting talent in the borough was once again front and centre on the night with 46 shortlisted nominees vying for an award across the 8 categories.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy said:

“Accomplishments in sport are often defining moments in the lives of the individual, the team and the community and are treasured for a lifetime.

“Tonight is all about reflecting and recognising that we have a borough of sporting champions. Whether it’s the volunteer or the coach who puts in hours behind the scenes, the team who has had success during the year or the sporting individual who has achieved the most in their sport, I am proud that these awards will truly showcase the exceptional talent and dedication in this borough.”

The event was compered by U105’s Denise Watson, with special guest Jonny Murphy (aka the ‘Hungry Hooker’) sharing his journey from professional rugby player to baking sensation!

Congratulations to all the 2025 Senior Sports Award Winners!

Paris 2024 Olympic Games Special Recognition Awards sponsored by Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Sports Forum. Awards presented by Cathal O’Neill to Philip Doyle and Daniel Wiffen (Dad Jonathan Wiffen accepting). Also recognised were Susie Berry, Peter Brown, Kyle Marshall & Mark Tumilty who were unable to attend.

Sportswoman of the Year sponsored by Rider Levett Bucknall. Award Winner: Chloe Wilson, European Fours Gold Medallist, Chloe Wilson. Presented by Adrienna Gorman (RLB) & Cathal O’Neill (ABC Sports Forum).

Sportsman of the Year sponsored by Rushmere. Award Winner: Oisin Conaty, All-Ireland Champion with County Armagh Gaelic Athletic Association (accepted by his Mum Leondra). Presented by Lisa Adair (Rushmere Shopping Centre) & Keith Haughian (Chair of Council’s Community & Wellbeing Committee).

Sports Person/Sports Team with a Disability sponsored by Campbell’s Eurospar. Award Winners: Scott Cromie from Craigavon Boccia Club, who won a gold medal at the Irish Championships and Jake Forrest from Armagh Special Olympics Swimming Club, who won 5 gold medals and a silver at Swim Ulster Galas and Banbridge RFC Barbarians. Presented by Christine McCurry (Campbell’s Eurospar) and Special Guest Jonny Murphy.

Senior Team of the Year sponsored by Playr-Fit. Award Winner: Lurgan Coarse Angling Club Senior Team, World Club Feeder Runners Up. Presented by Steven Burns (Playr-Fit) & Maurice Mayne (ABC Sports Forum).

Club of the Year sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council. Award Winner: Oxford Sunnyside Football Club. Presented by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage & Ken Redpath (ABC Sports Forum).

Senior Coach of the Year sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland
Award Winners: Mark McKeown & Dermot Kerr. Presented by Robbie Geary (Sport NI & Francis Reynolds (ABC Sports Forum).

Service to Sport Awards sponsored by Downshire Arms Hotel
Award Winners Joy Gowdy, (Banbridge Golf Club), Joanne McCauley (Portadown Ladies Hockey Club), Valerie Matthews (Banbridge Netball Club) and Paul Cairns (Banbridge Rugby Football Club). Presented by Seamus McGrath (ABC Sports Forum).

Volunteer Awards sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council. James McMahon (Banbridge Cycling Club), Bronagh Mone (St Mary’s Camogie Club), Gregory Breen (High Moss Sarsfield Gaelic Football Club), Jimmy Boyle (St Paul’s Gaelic Football Club), Joanne O’Kane (Banbridge Netball Club), Allister Campbell (Banbridge Rugby Football Club), Karen Graham (City of Armagh Rugby Football Club), and Simon Patterson (Lurgan Rugby Football and Cricket Club). Presented by Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy & Raymond Reid (ABC Sports Forum).

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum Chairman, Cathal O’Neill, thanked Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council for the continued support in organising the awards along with new headline sponsor, Rider Levett Bucknall and individual category sponsors including Campbell’s Eurospar, The Downshire Arms Hotel, Playr-Fit and Sport Northern Ireland.

Guests were also reminded about the Talented Athlete and Club Development Grants available with information available on the Sports Forum’s website