Cockhill Celtic captain Jimmy Bradley was named as the 4 Lanterns Player of the Year at the League’s annual presentation function last night.
Bradley was a key member as Cockhill created history in winning a fifth successive League and League Cup double this season.
Jimmy Bradley of Cockhill Celtic receives his Player of the Year Award from Leonard Watson of Watson’s Menswear, who sponsor the award. Also included is the Ulster Senior League Chairman, Johnny McCafferty.
Bradley was Cockhill’s top scorer, including nine strikes in the League into an impressive portfolio and netted vital goals in the latter part of the season.
Bradley bagged the winner in a 1-0 win over Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park that was crucial in steering the Inishowen side to glory.
Bradley is Cockhill’s captain and led by example as they staved off the threat of Letterkenny Rovers to scoop the silverware for a fifth season in a row and was named as the Player of the Year – an award voted on by the team managers in the Ulster Senior League.
He was presented with his award at the annual presentation function at the Station House Hotel in Letterkenny.
Bradley also netted the only goal of the game in Cockhill’s 1-0 win over Derry City Reserves in the Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup final.
Cockhill’s players were presented with the 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League and Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup trophies and medals.
Letterkenny Rovers striker Darren McElwaine picked up the top goalscorer award, with his 11 goals in the 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League and 20 in all competitions taking him clear of his nearest challengers.
The Club of the Year, awarded to the club with the best disciplinary record, was given to Derry City, who collected only 12 yellow cards in the 2016/17 season, while Fanad United were presented with the Media Award, the Fanad PRO Paddy Friel accepting the award after his sterling efforts in the promotion of the Triagh-A-Locha club.
The League also made a special presentation to the Grimes family, the proprietors of the 4 Lanterns, who have been the main title sponsor of the Ulster Senior League since its formation in 1986. USL Chairman Johnny McCafferty made the presentation to Oran Grimes.
Charlie Collins of Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub was the MC for the function, while Ulster FA Chairman Dessie Kelly also spoke on the night.
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League – Annual Awards
Player of the Year: Jimmy Bradley (Cockhill Celtic)
Top Goalscorer: Darren McElwaine (Letterkenny Rovers)
Club of the Year: Derry City
Media Award: Fanad United
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League winners: Cockhill Celtic
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup winners: Cockhill Celtic
Special presentation: The Grimes Family of the 4 Lanterns for their unbroken sponsorship to the League since its formation in 1986
