High-flying Larne dominate Premiership Team of the Year
WHILE the destination of the Gibson Cup remains in the balance, it’s Larne who dominate this year’s Uhlsport Team of the Year.
Six Invermen have been named in the prestigious NI Football Awards all-star team, which was picked by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association in conjunction with the 12 Sports Direct Premiership managers.
Tiernan Lynch’s deadly strike duo of Lee Bonis and Andy Ryan are joined in the team by goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson plus defenders Tomas Cosgrove, Cian Bolger and Levi Ives.
Cliftonville and Linfield both have two players in the selection, with Jonathan Addis and Rory Hale representing the Reds alongside Blues midfielders Kyle Mcclean and Kirk Millar.
There’s also a place for Loughgall’s leading goalscorer Benji Magee who has enjoyed a sensational season for the Villagers.
The Championship Team of the Year features four players from League leaders Portadown and four from second-placed Bangor.
Ports stars Lee Chapman, Eamon Fyfe, Ryan Mayse and Gary Thompson are joined in the select squad by the Bangor quartet of Lewis Francis, Scott Mcarthur, Reece Neale and goalkeeper James Taylor.
The division’s two leading goalscorers — Dundela’s Jordan Jenkins and H&W Welders hitman Matthew Ferguson — form the forward line, while Institute’s commanding defender Shaun Leppard also makes the team.
League leaders Limavady United have four players in the Premier Intermediate League Team of the Year. Roesiders Graham Crown, Alex Pomeroy, Lewis Tosh and Matthew Walker were all voted into the pick of the season.
The 33 all-stars will be honoured at the NI Football Awards gala dinner, which will be staged at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday night.
Uhlsport Premiership Team of the Year: Gkrohan Ferguson (Larne), RB - Tomas Cosgrove (Larne), CB - Cian Bolger (Larne), CB - Jonathan Addis (Cliftonville), LB - Levi Ives (Larne), RM
-Kirk Millar (Linfield), CM - Rory Hale (Cliftonville), CM - Kyle Mcclean (Linfield), LM - Benji Magee (Loughgall), FW - Andy Ryan (Larne), FW - Lee Bonis (Larne) Championship Team of the Year: GK - James Taylor (Bangor), RB - Lee Chapman (Portadown), CB - Shaun Leppard (Institute), CB - Lewis Francis (Bangor), LB - Reece Neale (Bangor), RM - Ryan Mayse (Portadown), CM - Gary Thompson (Portadown), CM - Scott Mcarthur (Bangor), LM - Eamon Fyfe (Portadown), FW - Jordan Jenkins (Dundela), FW -Matthew Ferguson (HW Welders) Premier Intermediate League Team of the
Year: GK - Conner Byrne (Armagh City), RB - Ray O’sullivan (Warrenpoint Town), CB - Jordon Morrison (Ballymacash Rangers), CB - Graham Crown (Limavady United), LB - Matthew Walker (Limavady United), RM - Lewis Tosh (Limavady United), CM - Daniel Mcilhatton (Tobermore United), CM - Matthew Holloway (Rathfriland Rangers), LM - Ruari Fitzpatrick (Rathfriland Rangers), CF – Stephen Mccavitt (Banbridge Town), CF – Alex Pomeroy (Limavady United)