Devine wins top awards at Tech prize night

A man who has got his hands on quite a few trophies this year, Larne Tech ‘old boy’ Gary Haveron, was the special guest at the amateur league club’s recent awards night.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jun 2015, 12:10 BST
(l-r) Johnny Hastings (LTOB manager), Gary Haveron (Carrick Rangers first-team coach) Matt Devine, Larne Tech Player of the Year and Paul Hardy. INLT 23-908-CON(l-r) Johnny Hastings (LTOB manager), Gary Haveron (Carrick Rangers first-team coach) Matt Devine, Larne Tech Player of the Year and Paul Hardy. INLT 23-908-CON
(l-r) Johnny Hastings (LTOB manager), Gary Haveron (Carrick Rangers first-team coach) Matt Devine, Larne Tech Player of the Year and Paul Hardy. INLT 23-908-CON

While the Craigyhill outfit ended up sixth in Division 1A, they were only two points adrift of Abbey Villa in third. Although there was a sizeable 10-point gap between third and second-placed Crumlin United.

Reflecting on the season past, Tech manager Johnny Hastings told the Times: “Our problem was a lack of consistency. We finished strongly enough, with just one defeat in our last seven, and on our day we showed we were good enough. But we just weren’t consistent enough. Also, there were so many matches which we threw away by missing chances when we were on top.”

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At least there are still some young talented players coming through; none more so than Matt Devine, son of ex-Northern Ireland international John. He grabbed the manager’s and the supporters’ vote for the First Team Player of the Year.

Eddie Russell (centre) picks up the Tommy and Byron Seymour Award from Gary Haveron (left) and Paul Hardy (right). INLT 23-909-CONEddie Russell (centre) picks up the Tommy and Byron Seymour Award from Gary Haveron (left) and Paul Hardy (right). INLT 23-909-CON
Eddie Russell (centre) picks up the Tommy and Byron Seymour Award from Gary Haveron (left) and Paul Hardy (right). INLT 23-909-CON

There was also a special award to Niall McAllister, to mark his selection for the Northern Amateur League Representative squad.

Larne Tech’s Director of Football, Paul Hardy, announced the following winners, who received their awards from Carrick Rangers first-team coach, Gary Haveron.

First-team: Manager’s Player of the Year, Matt Devine; Players’ Player of the Year, Martin Steele; Supporters’ Player of the Year, Matt Devine; Leading Goalscorer, Lee Thompson.

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Second-team: Manager’s Player of the Year, Dwayne McMullan; Players’ Player of the Year, Aaron Wright; Leading Goalscorer; Chris Steele.

Paul Hardy congratulates Niall McAllister on representing the club in Amatuer League's Britton Rosebowl Team. INLT 23-910-CONPaul Hardy congratulates Niall McAllister on representing the club in Amatuer League's Britton Rosebowl Team. INLT 23-910-CON
Paul Hardy congratulates Niall McAllister on representing the club in Amatuer League's Britton Rosebowl Team. INLT 23-910-CON

Clubman of the Year, Aaron Mulvenna; Young Player of the Year, Karl Houston; Seymour Merit Award for services to the club, Eddie Russell.

Larne Tech Old Boys would like to thank their sponsors for their fantastic support throughout the season: Thatch Bar; Tech Trade Recruiting; P&O Ferries (Official); Carnet Car Sales, Roy Webb; Greenfingers NI, Davy Wilson, and Johnny Hastings, Money Matters.

The Tech would like to thank Marty McToal and staff for the excellent catering for the awards night.