Gerry Murphy, Fermanagh Herald Sports Personality of the Year 2013 with sponsor John Maguire, managing director of Belleek Living and the Belleek Group
THE 17th ANNUAL FERMANAGH Herald Sports Awards gathered, the good, the great, and the talented from the county as the biggest celebration in the sporting calendar went off with a bang.
Addressing the crowd of around 200 on the night, Ray Sanderson, Assistant Editor of the Fermanagh Herald, spoke of a wonderful year for local sporting teams and individuals in what was a fantastic year for the county.
From the prestige of the World Police and Fire Games, to Windsor Park to Cali, Columbia, Fermanagh’s sporting stars shone both within the county, and further afield.
The winner of the Overall Sports Personality of the Year was World Police and Fire Games star Gerry Murphy, who won seven golds in a monumental effort. He described 2013 as ‘the best year of his sporting career’ and admitted his surprise at winning the top award.
“I was sitting there for the final award and I wasn’t expecting anything most definitely.
“I consider it to be a great honour and a real privilege. With a lot of high class athletes up there against me tonight to come out top of the polls is just fantastic.”
Reflecting on the games held in Northern Ireland back in August Gerry admitted the hard work had paid off.
“I knew I could be competitive, I just didn’t know if I could win to be honest. The hard work did pay off in the end though.”
Picking up the Hall of Fame award was Jim Cleary, the Glentoran soccer legend and member of the 1982 World Cup squad. Midfielder Cleary won five caps for Northern Ireland and scored a staggering 144 goals for Glentoran in 43 appearances from 1980 through to 1989.
Jim was delighted to receive his award and cited his first cap against Scotland in April 1982 as the highlight of his career.
The award for Contribution to Sport was to go to rally navigator Austin Frazer.
Over a 50 year period Austin not only excelled as a navigator along the great rally drivers Cathal Curley and Bertie Fisher, but has long been actively involved behind the scenes organising as part of his role in Enniskillen Motor Club. ‘Phenomenal’ and ‘out of this world’ were just some of the words used by a deeply honoured Austin who reflected on a wonderful career.
Other winners on the night included: Youth Team – Ballinamallard United U16s, Castle Hume Golf Club, who picked up the Senior Team of the Year Award, tennis prodigy Sarah Cousins, who picked up Young Personality of the Year , Special Achievement – Joseph Wilson, School Team – Portora Royal Rowers and Belcoo darter Brendan Dolan who was the recipient of The Excellence in an International Field award at the gala night in the Manor House Country Hotel.
