The Chief Executive of Mid Ulster District Council, Adrian McCreesh, has strenuously denied any suggestion that the local authority ‘snubbed’ Dungannon Swifts and their manager, Rodney McAree, at the Sports Awards 2025, held recently at the Burnavon Hotel in Cookstown.
Mr. McCreesh was speaking at the December 18 Council meeting, when Councillor Clement Cuthbertson (Democratic Unionist Party) argued that Dungannon Swifts ought to have been presented with an award, following their memorable win over Cliftonville and well-deserved Irish Cup glory, back in May.
Dungannon Swifts were nominated for a Team of the Year award; however, that particular accolade went to the Tyrone Under-20 football team instead.
As for Rodney McAree, he was not nominated at all.
The Dungannon DEA councillor said at the Council meeting: “As you will know, the Council held their Sports Awards 2025 last month.
“Everyone will be fully aware of the public perception out across the Dungannon area right now – that the amazing achievements of Dungannon Swifts, both the manager and the team, were somehow snubbed by the Council.
“People in this room can tell me that I’m wrong, but the message and the feelings from everyone in the town is clear.
“This has resulted, in the eyes of a large number of people in Dungannon and wider area, that the sports awards have lost all credibility,” claimed Councillor Cuthbertson.
He continued: “I am calling on the working group that oversees the procedures for the awards to meet again as soon as possible and address the issue, going forward, or we may as well shelve the Sports Awards going forward altogether.
“I make that a proposal, that the working group would meet as soon as possible.”
However, the Council’s Chief Executive, Adrian McCreesh, insisted that due process had been followed at all times, using objective criteria, when choosing award winners.
Mr. McCreesh said: “In terms of [the] proposal, that’s for the working group to determine.
“It’s not an agenda item on this Council meeting, therefore, it cannot and will not be taken as a proposal.
“You’re entitled to your comments, [however] I do not accept how they’re couched, in terms of [the team and manager being] ‘snubbed’.
“I don’t accept that at all, on behalf of the officer and the executive side of this organisation.
“Huge efforts have been made by members and officers across this Council in the preparation of these awards, and they have been extremely successful time after time, even the more recent ones.
“Indeed, immense effort is currently ongoing for the planned Awards for Business and Environmental Awards in February, and I commend all of those members who have put in a lot of time and a lot of effort in preparing for that, in conjunction with my officers.”
Mr. McCreesh continued: “Secondly, we will always take other views on board, and we’re very happy to learn in any process.
“Nothing is perfect. Everything evolves in local government and the public sector, and we will listen to any positive and constructive critique of what we do, and how we do it, and we welcome such critique.
“Indeed, we are responding to a written request about the said awards, and that’s exactly what this Council is to do.
“We respond to any issues that our public and our citizens raise, and we are more than happy to do that.
“Sometimes, the outcome of awards is subjective, but should always be based on clear transparency and criteria.”
Concluding, he added: “I am absolutely clear that I have full confidence in the transparency and the integrity of the entirety of the process applied.”
