It’s celebration time for Ballynahinch Olympic

17 June 2015

BALLYNAHINCH Olympic celebrated its 42nd year at their annual dinner dance on Saturday at the Temple Golf Club.

The night was a huge success with close to a 100 members and guests turning out to show their support for the club.

It was with much sadness that the chairman, Martin Sloan, started proceedings with a 60-second round of applause in respect of those members, supporters and loved ones who have been laid to rest during the club’s 42 year history.

His speech continued with a list of the great successes that the club and its three senior teams achieved this past season including the impressive fifth place finish for the first team in their first year of Division 1B of the Amateur League and of course the club’s first ever historic treble achieved by the seconds team.

Vice-chairman Darren McGoran continued the evening by hosting the senior presentation. The award winners were as follows:

Norman McCullough Perpetual Trophy (1st team players’ player of the year award), Stephen Noade; first team managers’ player of the year award, Stephen Noade; first team top goal scorer of the year award, Niall Murray; Joe Savage perpetual trophy (1st team sportsman of the year award), Nyal Walsh;

Second team players’ player of the year award, Neil McAleenan; second team managers’ player of the year award, Neil McAleenan; second team top goal scorer of the year award, Liam O’Hare; Joe Fitzimmons perpetual trophy (2nd team sportsman of the year award), Stephen King.

Third team players’ player of the year award, Barrie Bogues; third team manager’s player of the year award, Ali McKee; third team top goal scorer of the year award, Brian McCaffrey; third team sportsman of the year award, Dillon Morgan.

Mark Quinn Perpetual Trophy (young player of the year), Ryan Molloy; clubman of the year award, Martin Sloan; Joe McMullan Perpetual Trophy (hall of fame award), the late Joe Savage.Martin Sloan then took the stage again to present each of the seconds team players and managers with their league and cup winners medals. The presentation concluded with special parting gifts of framed signed shirts for the outgoing first team managers, Stevie Ward and Paul Sloan.

Meanwhile, one of the club’s much loved traditions took place on Saturday when the younger members of the club took on the more seasoned players in a lighthearted friendly.

There was a excellent turn out and the game concluded with a 3-1 victory for the under 30s.

The Summer League commences tonight at 6.30pm and runs every Wednesday until 8.30pm.

It will be held at Lough Park — behind the Ballynahinch Leisure Centre, access via Hillcrest Drive). If you haven’t registered yet don’t worry, application forms can be collected and completed on the night.

All children of primary school age or younger welcome to come down and join the fun.

Pre-season training starts on June 25 for all senior players. The club is looking to arrange an away friendly on July 18 and can host a home friendly on July 14.

If any clubs are interested please get in touch at ballynahincholympic@hotmail.co.uk, Twitter @BhinchOlympicFC or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ballynahincholympic

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