Gavin Whyte was named Ulster footballer of the year at the award ceremony at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast on Monday.
The winger who has been in sensational form this season for Stephen Baxter’s league leaders and the Northern Ireland u21 squad this season beat off the competition from teammate Billy Joe Burns, the league’s top scorer in Cliftonville’s Joe Gormley and Coleraine trio Chris Johns, Jamie McGonigle and Stephen O’Donnell.
Whyte impressed against top class talents such as Dani Caballos and Jesus Vallejo when Northern Ireland took on Spain under 21’s at Shamrock Park last month whilst being in amongst the goals in Crusaders title charge.
Glenavon’s Mark Sykes was picked as the young player of the year the midfielder has been in fantastic form for Gary Hamilton’s Lurgan Blues so far this season and has been linked with moves to several English clubs.
Linfield Ladies goalkeeper Lauren Perry won the Women’s player of the year after the stopper capped a superb year on a personal level as the 17-year-old picked up her first senior Northern Ireland cap in a defeat by Norway last September.
Perry was also a key figure for Alfie Wylie’s under 17 team at last summers UEFA Euro 2017- u17 championships held in Northern Ireland where she impressed and made her name.
Other winners on the night included Jackie Fullerton who was named the recipient of the Dr Malcom Brodie lifetime achievement award and Charlie Fogarty, who has played for Northern Ireland at two cerebral palsy World cups, was presented with the Disability footballer of the year trophy.
