The newly announced New Year Honours ensured 2015 began on an exciting note for a number of recipients from Fermanagh and Tyrone. MBEs (Member of the British Empire) are going to Mrs. Barbara Brand and Mr. Brendan McCusker, while those to receive BEMs (British Empire Medals) include Mr. David McQuigg and Mr. David Monaghan. Other recipients have connections with the county and include Mr. Nigel Dunlop, an old Portoran, who receives the CBE, and Dr John Fay who achieves recognition with the OBE. Lily Dane reports.

David McQuigg - BEM The newly announced New Year Honours for 2015 brought exciting news for Mr. David William Aaron McQuigg, of Fivemiletown, who receives the BEM for services to Sport in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary and Director of Youth Football, Fivemiletown United Football Club, Davy, as he is best known, admitted that he was “surprised” at the news and said he “was not expecting it at all”. He added that he had no indication until the letter arrived and he does not know who nominated him.

He has an involvement spanning 35 years with Fivemiletown United FC and he recalls that it was at the age of 14 that he became involved with the club.

Davy took up office as secretary about 20 years ago, and he became Director of Youth Football about 18 years ago, which he explains was around the time that Fivemiletown United formed a youth section.

“I would love to know who nominated me,” said a surprised Davy this week, adding that he would like to thank them for the recognition.

Davy has also been involved with the Brendan Keogh Youth League which was formed in 1998. In fact, he is the only member left in the original committee at its formation.

Football would be his main sporting interest, but he also holds an interest in kick-boxing and pursued the sport for about 15 years. Having both competed and taught, he currently acts as a referee for kick-boxing.

He works for Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and he is married to Michelle and they have two sons, Rhys, 16, and Kian, 10,