Young athletes from Armagh clubs and schools are among the nominees shortlisted for the 2026 Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Junior Sports Awards.
The awards ceremony will take place at Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre on Friday 23 October. The event is sponsored by Manfreight Limited, and winners will be announced across 11 categories.
Shortlisted nominees will attend alongside representatives from the ABC Sports Forum, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and headline sponsor Manfreight Limited.
Armagh nominees among the shortlist
Armagh-linked nominees include James Corrie of Ski Ability NI and Banbridge Academy, and Oscar McKinney of Armagh Special Olympics Swimming Club and Markethill High School, who are shortlisted for Sports Person with a Disability.
The Royal School Armagh 1st XI Girls Hockey Team is nominated for Youth School Team of the Year. The school is also represented in the coaching categories by Greg Thompson, shortlisted for School Coach of the Year.
Armagh clubs also feature in the Junior Club Team of the Year shortlist, with Armagh Hockey Club U11 Girls Teams nominated. Cadhla Morgan of Armagh Athletic Club and St Catherine’s College is shortlisted for Junior Female of the Year.
Other nominees connected to Armagh include Kyle McArdle of Armagh City Football Club, shortlisted for Club Coach of the Year; Aoibhinn Strain of City of Armagh Rugby Club and St Catherine’s College, nominated for Youth Female of the Year; and Alex Stinson of City of Armagh Rugby Club and Royal School Armagh, nominated for Youth Male of the Year.
Full list of award categories and nominees
- Junior School Team of the Year: Lurgan Junior High School U14 Girls Football Team; St John’s Primary School Girls Gaelic Football Team; Armstrong Primary School Girls Hockey Team; Banbridge Academy U14 Girls Hockey Team; Banbridge Academy U13 Boys Hockey Team.
- Junior Club Team of the Year: Portadown Ladies Football Club U14 Team; Armagh Hockey Club U11 Girls Teams; Banbridge Netball Club U14 Team.
- Junior Male of the Year: Franky Mooney and Harvey Connolly.
- Junior Female of the Year: Cadhla Morgan, Éabha Connolly, Lucia McMullan, Ella-Louise McCorry, Annie Johnston, Chloe McClearn and Peyton-Willow Prentice.
- Youth School Team of the Year: Portadown College U16 Girls Football Team; Banbridge Academy 1st XI Boys Hockey Team; Royal School Armagh 1st XI Girls Hockey Team; Craigavon Senior High School U16 Rugby Team.
- Youth Club Team of the Year: Craigavon Cowboys American Football Club Youth Team; Ballela Gaelic Athletic Club U15 Camogie Team; Hanover Football Club U16 Girls Team; Banbridge Netball Club U19 Team; Banbridge Amateur Swimming Club Youth Boys Relay Team.
- School Coach of the Year: Philip McKinley, Michelle McGrane and Greg Thompson.
- Club Coach of the Year: Jason McKay, Bernard McCusker, Kyle McArdle, Hannah Brownlee and David Wilson.
- Youth Female of the Year: Lucie Prentice, Joni Cunningham and Aoibhinn Strain.
- Youth Male of the Year: Owen Acheson, Joshua Awujoola, Issac Ireland, Alex Stinson, Adam Green and John Rada.
The ceremony will bring the shortlisted young sportspeople, coaches, schools and clubs together before the winners are announced across the 11 award categories.
