Ards and North Down Sports Awards

Released: Wednesday 18 March 2026

The 2025 Ards and North Down Sports Awards were held at Clandeboye Lodge on Friday 13 March, where award winners were announced at the prestigious ceremony.

Rory McIlroy has been named as Ards and North Down Sports Person of the Year. Rory was among several individuals and teams recognised at the annual Ards and North Down Sports Awards, which was hosted by radio presenter Denise Watson.

Bangor Hockey Mens 1st XI took the Sports Team of the Year title, Emily and Annabel Ridout, of Ballyholme Yacht Club, were named as the Under 18 Junior Team of the Year, and Ballyholme Primary School (gymnastics) secured the Under 15 Junior Sports Team of the Year award.

More individual success came for Grace Davison (swimming) who won Under 18 Young Sports Person of the Year, and Sara Devany (athletics) took the same title in the Under 15 category. Sports coach, Curtis Coulter, also achieved success as he was announced as Sports Coach of the Year (swimming).

The commitment and service of Cillian O'Neill (football) was acknowledged with a win in the Volunteer of the Year category, Lifetime Achievement awards went to Alastair Wilson (rugby) and Padraig Braniff (hurling), while Martyn Irvine (cycling) and Davy Larmour (boxing) were inducted onto the Wall of Fame.

Denise Watson u105 and David Jeffrey MBE

Lifetime Service Recognition Award Alastair Wilson with Sponsor Ards and North Down Sports Forum rep Cllr Joe Boyle

Lifetime Service Recognition Award Padraig Braniff with Sponsor Ards and North Down Sports Forum rep Cllr Joe Boyle

Sports Coach of the year Winner Curtis Coulter Award collected on behalf Emma Coulter with Sponsor Peter Rogan from The Echlinville Distillery

Sports Person Of the Year Grace Davison for Swimming Collected by Bethany Firth OBE With Sponsor Gareth Paden from Prestige Trophies

Sports Person Of The Year Rory McIlroy, Lady Captain Holywood golf club Kathy Mackey with Sponsor Matt Adair from Mervyn Stewart North Down, MG

Sports Person Of the Year- Under 15 Sara Devany for Athletics with Sponsor Gerard Toner and Clare Faloona from Exploris

Sports Team of the Year Bangor Hockey Team Mens 1st XI Captain Ryan Lyall with Sponsor Lyn Crawford from Progressive Building Society

Under 15s Junior Team of the Year Ballyholme Primary school Gymnastics Team With Sponsor Billy Tate from Ards Suicide Awareness Group

Under 18s Junior Team of the Year Ballyholme Yacht Club for sailing Emily and Annabel Ridout with Sponsor Clive O'Neill Newtownards Saturday Market Traders

Volunteer of the year Cillian O'Neill with Nichola Totton In Menory of Alderman Menagh

Wall of Fame Inductee Davy Larmour with Sponsor Mayor Cllr Gillian McCollum

Wall of Fame Inductee Martyn Irvine with Sponsor Mayor Cllr Gillian McCollum

Mayor, Councillor Gillian McCollum with Guest Speaker David Jeffrey MBE and presenter Denise Watson - U105 Radio, along with representatives from Ards and North Down Sports Forum

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Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

"Many nominations from across the sporting sphere were received for this year's awards and we can be in no doubt of the strength of sporting talent in Ards and North Down. Congratulations to all nominees and award winners, and thanks also to those volunteers who dedicate their time and work tirelessly behind the scenes."

AWARD WINNERS

Sports Person of the Year, sponsored by Mervyn Stewart, North Down MG - Rory McIlroy
Sports Person of the Year Under 15, sponsored by Exploris - Sara Devany
Sports Person of the Year Under 18, sponsored by Prestige Trophies - Grace Davison
Under 15s Junior Team of the Year, sponsored by Ards Suicide Awareness Group - Ballyholme Primary School.
Under 18s Junior Team of the Year, sponsored by Newtownards Saturday Market Traders - Ballyholme Yacht Club, Emily and Annabel Ridout.
Sports Team of the Year, sponsored by Progressive Building Society -Bangor Hockey Club Mens 1st XI
Volunteer of the Year, in memory of Alderman Menagh - Cillian O'Neill
Sports Coach of the Year, sponsored by The Echlinville Distillery - Curtis Coulter
Lifetime Service Recognition Award, sponsored by Ards and North Down Sports Forum Alastair Wilson and Padraig Braniff
Wall of Fame Inductee, sponsored by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Cllr Gillian McCollum, along with Martyn Irvine and Davy Larmour.