McCallan honoured for service to Irish game

The former Ireland captain - his country’s most capped player and the holder of a series of records that are unlikely to be surpassed - was presented with the award at the recent Sports Awards Gala event.

The Sports Awards, sponsored by Magners, once again brought together many of Northern Ireland’s sporting fraternity to acknowledge and recognise those individuals, teams, and organisations whose contribution to Ulster sport has been outstanding.

The judges said Kyle was a worthy winner of the special award as he has been an outstanding sportsman representing Ireland 226 times – more internationals than any other Northern Ireland sports star – and was captain in a record 54 games, including Ireland’s successful World Cup qualifying campaign in 2001.

He achieved his ambition of playing on the biggest stage of all in 2007 when he was rated amongst the top slow bowlers in the finals in the West Indies, playing his part in the memorable victory over Pakistan, which earned Ireland a place in the Super Eights.

Nicola McCleery Head of Marketing Magners Irish Cider said: “This is the eighth year we have sponsored the Sports Awards which has now established itself as one of the highlights of the sporting social calendar.

“We have seen huge growth which has been helped by the support we have received through our association with sport. There is a very strong following from sports fans throughout the Province and we feel it is important to recognise that and give something back. Hopefully by supporting the sports awards this is what we are doing”.