For such a small county, Armagh brings home no shortage of sporting achievement. Whether it be in football, rugby, GAA or swimming, countless people young and old have went off for gold in faraway places, often coming back to rapturous fanfare.
The Sportsperson of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh Tree Surgery, recognises those who have gone the extra mile in elevating their sport in the local area – whether it’s on or off the field.
The first nominee is Portadown man Keith Hall who has been working in grassroots football for over 15 years.
Keith is the Irish FA Small Sided Games Co-ordinator for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and has been working tirelessly across the borough to create safe and fun environments for more children to have the opportunity to play football.
Last year, he was one of two finalists for the prestigious People’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Grassroots Football at the McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, narrowly missing out to Jude McLaughlin of Dungiven Celtic FC.
Keith’s nominator said: “I’m nominating Keith Hall for his job because he has over 1,500 children out on a Saturday morning teaching them how to play football as part of a team.”
Also from Portadown is swimmer Andrea Judge-Guy, who this year was one of six women who braved the English Channel to raise valuable funds for the National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU).
No stranger to the open water, last year Andrea was among an all-female relay team who became the first people ever to swim a 44-kilometre stretch of the Irish coastline.
Having been a competitive swimmer in her childhood, Andrea gave up swimming at the age of 13, returning to the sport at the age of 43, but this time to open water swimming.
Inspired by her brother Chris Judge, himself a record-holding open water swimmer, she joined Dot’s Swimming and Open Water Club as well as the Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers, a club founded by Chris.
Andrea completed her first solo marathon swim in July 2022, swimming across Dundalk Bay and breaking the course record.
She has also taken part in a North Channel Relay and, as a member of the Loughdown Ladies, completed a relay swim of the length of Lough Neagh in 2021, the first time this was ever done by a three-women relay.
Aidan Murphy has been involved in football for most of his life, having been with Armagh City FC for 55 years, where he is the chairman.
His nominator said: “He’s involved in so many committees and always has Armagh at the fore front. Without him Armagh City FC would not be there. As the club grows so does the demand and as ever Aidan is always trying to find ways to improve and include everyone.
“He is a respected member of the football community and represents Armagh with great pride. The amount of time he gives up to the club is unmatched. The amount of young people that are members of the club has grown immensly and none of it would be possible without Aidan at the helm.”
Our final nomination might not be an individual but it would be amiss of us to not mention the great work they carry out in local sport.
Citypark parkrun in Craigavon is a registered charity and has been operating in the area since 2012.
The free event, which takes place every Saturday morning, is in its 12th year and gives participants the opportunity to run, walk or jog the 5km route.
The event started with around 30 participants and now sees between 250 and 350 each and every week.
It is well-known in the local community as a weekly social opportunity for residents of all backgrounds.
The nominator said: “I believe it has many positive effects in the Craigavon area and over the years helped improve the wellbeing of the many participants who come along each week. I believe this group event deserves to be recognised.
“Citypark parkrun is not just an event but a family extension in Craigavon and the wider community.”
