SLIDESHOW: Ballymena United Youth Academy prize nights
Chairman and vice chair Philip Galloway and Davy Douglas reported on another highly successful year at the club.
More academy graduates than ever are getting their chance with the senior set up and with many of the best young players in the Borough now returning to the club from age 15 years up, the future is very bright at youth and reserve team level at present.
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Hide AdThe mini soccer awards on the Tuesday night were a great success, the United under 9s and 10s this season have played a number of friendlies but have concentrated solely on technical aspects intensively all season with top training sessions from visiting coaches.
This has proven to be a great success, operating twice weekly at the excellent Sports Hut facility.
Stanley Galbraith and head of youth Joe McCall also spoke at length on both evenings, emphasising the superb facilities the club can access and the increasingly close ties with the senior club.
Both coaches made clear their vision of progression from the Academy eventually to the first team which is now clearer than ever with the present coaching team.
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Hide AdPrizes were awarded to the various age groups with a special mention to the United under 13 side that completed a full season in their National League unbeaten and claiming the title.
Prizewinners in the various age groups were:
UNDER-10
Managers player of Year - Lewis Tennant; Runner up - Scott Montgomery
Young Player of Year - Callum Douglas
Most improved player - Philip Kennedy; Runner-up - Adam McLaughlin
UNDER-11
Manager’s player of Year - Jordan McMullan; Runner up - Seanie Macintosh
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Hide AdPlayers’ player of Year - Bobby Rainey; Runner up - Lewis Clewer
Top scorer - Bobby Rainey (16 goals); Runner up - Seanie Macintosh
Most improved player - Sam Millar
UNDER-12
Manager’s player of Year - Sean McAllister; Runner up - Ruairi Hagan
Players’ player of Year - Sean McAllister; Runner up - Ruairi Hagan
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Hide AdTop scorer - Ross McCausland (38); Runner up - Mark Butler, Matthew Lorimer
Most improved player - Rian Lennon
UNDER-13
Manager’s player of Year - Aiden Gillen; Runner up - Danny Louw
Players’ player of Year - Scott Marcus; Runner up - Jack Heron
Top scorer - Sean McKay (25); Runner up - Aiden Gillen Rhys Hemphill
Most improved player - Connor Meneely
UNDER-14 DEVELOPMENT
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Hide AdManager’s player of Year - Ethan Galbraith; Runner up - Michael Craig
Players’ player of Year - Michael Craig; Runner up - Ethan Galbraith
Most improved player - Steven Hamilton
UNDER-14
Manager’s player of Year - Joshua Galloway; Runner up - Eamon McLaughlin
Players’ player of Year - Jack O’Mahony; Runner up - Andrew Kyle
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Hide AdTop scorer - Harry Robinson (14); Runner up - Eamon McLaughlin
Most improved player - Andrew Smyth
UNDER-15
Manager’s player of Year - Jonathan Carson; Runner up Jamie Timms
Players’ player of Year - Sam Armstrong; Runner up - Connor Graham
Top scorer - Jack Walshe (18); Runner up - Michael McCabe
Most improved player - Luke Stockman