SLIDESHOW: Ballymena Saturday Morning League prize night

There was an extra special ‘guest’ as the Ballymena Saturday Morning League celebrated its 45th season in existence at the weekend.
Connor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241ACConnor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241AC
Connor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241AC

For the first time ever at the league’s end-of-season function, held in Leighinmohr House Hotel, the Coca-Cola IFA Junior Cup sat proudly on display at the front of the room.

Harryville Homers were the team who finally ended the Saturday Morning League’s barren spell in the province’s biggest junior football knockout event - one of SIX trophies won by the Harryville side in an unprecedented ‘clean sweep’.

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League secretary and founder member Brian Montgomery reflected: “I stood at Moyola on the day of the final and to say there was a slight tear in my eye wouldn’t be a lie.

Connor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241ACConnor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241AC
Connor FC captain Jason Trainor receives the Division Two league trophy from sponsor Joe Burrell (Ballymena Mortgages) at the Saturday Morning League annual dinner. INBT24-241AC

“This is the one trophy I always wanted to come back to Ballymena.

“It’s the Blue Riband event in junior football and the most professional team I have seen for a lot of years in this league went and got it.”

Homers manager Robert Duddy reflected on an unforgettable season saying: “In the past few years, Ballymena teams have put this league on the map.

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“We have raised the bar this year and raised the profile of the entire league.

“The Ballymena Saturday Morning League is, for me, the best league in the country,” added Robert.

Homers’ exploits, unsurprisingly, were the big story of the SML season. As well as that Junior Cup triumph, they were also the dominant force at domestic level, retaining their Mortgage Solutions Division One title and also winning all four knockout competitions they entered.

But ‘Monty’ also paid tribute to the clubs who finished lower down the leagues who, he said, play an equally important role in the functioning of the league.

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Turning his attention to wider issues within the league. the secretary praised Ballymena Borough Council for its investment in facilities at Wakehurst playing fields - but, with a wry smile, reeled off a list of other venues within the borough in need of similar upgrades.

‘Monty’ also paid tribute to the unsung heroes behind the scenes, adding: Without volunteers, there is no football.

“It has now gone to a different level where the cost is colossal. It is taking thousands of pounds to keep teams going, so to all those who contribute, thank you very much.”

Councillor Tommy Nicholl, representing Ballymena Borough Council, said: “We are here tonight to celebrate the hard work, the perseverance, the sacrifices of players, managers and coaches of all the teams in the league.

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“There is no doubt that your passion for football is the driving force behind your successes to date and your aspirations for years to come.”

With regard to the Council’s position, he added: “We may not always give you what you want but we have the best interests of football in the borough at heart and we will continue to do our best for football in Ballymena.”

Another guest, Linfield chairman Jim Kerr, a former referee within the league, paid tribute to the league’s various sponsors, stating: “Junior football and senior football could not exist without sponsors and the Saturday Morning League has always been very fortunate with the sponsors you have - you only have to look at the array of trophies on display to see that.”

Jim also praised the league’s officials for their outstanding administration, adding: “There are a great number of senior clubs who could follow this league’s example in terms of organisation.”

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Don Stirling, representing Ballymena United, also paid tribute to those who work behind the scenes.

“The people who put up the nets, who mop up after the players, who take the kits away to be washed and laundered - every one of those people is worthy of a Merit Award on their own.

Outgoing County Antrim Football Association secretary Gordon Latimer said that of the various leagues affiliated to the Association “the Saturday Morning League is right up there in terms of organisation and reliability”.

“There is a pride within the league - people support each other and stand by each other,” added Gordon.

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Merit awards were presented to FC Penarol, marking their 40th anniversary, and Harryville Homers, marking their exploits in the past campaign.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Division One (sponsored by Ballymena Mortgages): winners - Harryville Homers; runners-up - Carniny Rangers.

Division Two (sponsored by Ballymena Mortgages): winners - Connor FC; runners-up - Raceview

Division Three (sponsored by Ballymena Mortgages) - winners - Cullybackey Olympic; runners-up - Newpark Olympic.

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Top Four Trophy (sponsored by firmus energy) - Harryville Homers.

Ace Cup (sponsored by Ace Fixings) - Harryville Homers.

O’Kane Cup (sponsored by County Antrim Post) - Harryville Homers.

George McAuley Cup (sponsored by McAuley family) - FC Antrim.

Sammy Moore Trophy (sponsored by Clough Glasgow Rangers Supporters’ Club) - Newpark Olympic.

Rainey Cup (sponsored by Alex Rainey) - Harryville Homers.

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Leighinmohr House Hotel Cup (sponsored by Leighinmohr House Hotel) - FC Antrim.

Paddy Dunlop Cup (sponsored by Ballymena Shamrocks Celtic Supporters’ Club) - Glenravel.

Player of the Year (sponsored by Andy Kerr): Division One - Darren Campbell (Harryville Homers); Division Two - David McWhirter (Connor FC); Division Three - Gary Brown (Newpark Olympic).

Leading Goalscorer (sponsored by Andy Kerr): Division One - Stephen Sexton (Michelin) 31 goals; Division Two - David McWhirter (Connor FC) 36 goals; Division Three - Joe Scullion (Glenravel) 39 goals.

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