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Knockout success for local boxers at 2023 Belfast Sports Awards
by EDA Media
Local Belfast boxers stole the show at the Belfast Sports Awards celebrations in Belfast City Hall recently.
Former two-weight World Champion boxer, Carl Frampton, Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist, Paddy Barnes, and former Olympic boxing Coach, Michael Hawkins were inducted into Belfast City Council’s Sporting Hall of Fame joining an illustrious list of local sports heroes, which includes Dame Mary Peters, Hugh Russell, and Sammy McIlroy. The boxing success continued, as boxing siblings Aidan and Michaela Walsh were announced as Senior Male and Senior Female Sports Personality of the Year following their gold medal successes at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Belfast Sports Awards recognise the sporting achievements of local athletes at all levels and give recognition to the dedication and commitment of coaches and volunteers who work to support their athletes and clubs.
There were two additional inductees to the Sporting Hall of Fame this year. Irish International field hockey star, Shirley McCay, who continues to play and coach with her local club Pegasus, and Fiona Shannon, Ulster GAA Handball joined the boxing trio.
Junior Male Sports Personality of the Year was awarded to Toby Thompson from the Ballymena and Antrim Athletics Club. Ellie
Patrick of the Junior Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team won Junior Female Sports Personality of the year and Nathan McCabe of the Belfast Knights American Football team won Disability Sports Personality of the Year. Other awards presented on the evening included Coach of the Year. Olympic and Commonwealth Games boxing coach, John Conlon won Male Coach of the Year. Laverty Celtic Football club coach Emma Morgan won Female Coach of the year and Disability Coach of the Year was given to Kenny Bell as head coach of St. Malachy’s Old Boys Youth team. Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Alicia Donaghy of North Belfast Forum, the Healthy Lifestyles award went to Tomaz Rzonca of Polish Anglers NI and the Pathways to Clubs award went to Gary Vernon of the St. Malachy’s Old Boys FC.
