End of Season Awards 2021 – 2022

Ballynahinch United held their End of Season Awards Dinner at Spa Golf Club. A jubilant night despite the club’s final league standings. An exceptional meal was followed by the presentation of the club’s awards.

Diarmuid Lavery won the Swifts’ Leading Goalscorer award with 9 goals in 16 games, including a hat-trick away to Ballyvea IIs.

Managers Gareth Bingham and David Teggarty awarded their award to John McMenamin. The Swifts’ captain was a rock at the heart of the team’s defence. He proved this with outstanding performances for the first team at the latter end of the season.

The Swifts’ Players’ Player of the Year award was presented to Jamie McNeill. The young midfielder had an excellent season and continues to grow as a key member of the team. At just 18, there’s plenty of years ahead for Jamie at the club.

Matthew Shaw picked up United’s Leading Goalscorer award, bagging 14 goals in just 11 appearances, a goal every 66 minutes, including a hat-trick against both Barn United and Downshire YM. His goals also saw him pick up the Club Leading Goalscorer award.

The Manager’s Player of the Year went to Ross Murray. His performances saw him score 5 goals including the winenr against Downshire YM early in the season. His blistering pace and twinkle toes always cause trouble for the opposition.

The Big One, Players’ Player of the Year, went to Club Stalwart and ever-present Stuart McMullan. Having first picked up the award in 2012/13 and again in 2014/15, Stuart now has the coveted trophy for the third time. 25 consistent appearances and 3 Player of the Match awards and a hatful of assists helped the votes go his way.

Next, the Club’s Young Player of the Year award went to Luke Curry who performaned excellently for both teams when required.

Carlisles’ Fine Wines kindly donated a Gin Hamper to our raffle, this was won by Matthew Shaw.

Big thanks to Carlisles, Spa Golf Club and DJ Phil Cool who provided the entertainment on the evening.

Awards

Club

Young Player of the Year

  • Luke Curry

Club Leading Goalscorer

  • Matthew Shaw

Firsts

Players’ Player of the Year

  • Stuart McMullan

Manager’s Player of the Year

  • Ross Murray

Leading Goalscorer

  • Matthew Shaw

Swifts

Players’ Player of the Year

  • Jamie McNeill

Manager’s Player of the Year

  • John McMenamin

Leading Goalscorer

  • Diarmuid Lavery

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 3 v 2 Chimney Corner

United entertained Chimney Corner in this first round Intermediate Cup game at Millbridge last Saturday. The match had been scheduled to take place the previous week however a waterlogged ground had contributed to its cancellation.

The visitors were an unknown quantity however in the first fifteen minutes United’s goalkeeper Michael Vladeanu had made three one on one saves to keep his team in the game.

Central defender Alan Patterson went over on his ankle after twenty minutes and he was replaced by Alex Burtney with Corey Fitzpatrick switching to defence. At this point United had settled into the game and had forced a number of corners and saves from the visiting keeper. Within ten minutes on being on the pitch Alex Burtney has scored two goals following combinations with Ross Murray and Ian McMullan and his efforts were added to by Stuart McMullan who made it 3 – 0. In midfield David Kelly and Gavin Crawford worked tirelessly to deny the visitors possession while defensively Jack Davis, Scott Brashaw and the Fitzpatrick brothers Corey and Dylan stood up to anything that came at them.

Having gone in 3 – 0 up at half time things looked good for the home team however the second half turned out to be a stressful 45 minutes for management and supporters.

In fairness to Chimney Corner they came out all guns a blazing in the second half and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty on the hour mark which gave them something to fight for. United weathered the initial storm but could not find the fluency they had in the first half.Conceding another goal late in the game kept everyone on the edge of their seat to the end but credit to the players who battled hard to keep their win. United will entertain Mid Ulster side Craigavon City in the next round in mid-November.