It has been another eventful and exciting year for Northern Ireland sport.

Cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel and boxer Paddy Barnes brought joy to our hearts by winning medals at the Olympics.

There were golden moments for Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop in the Paralympics.

And of course golfer Graeme McDowell enjoyed a fantastic year culminating in an outstanding performance in the Ryder Cup.

Those achievements will be celebrated when The Belfast Telegraph once again honours Northern Ireland's leading sports stars of the year. And we want YOU, the readers, to help us.

Today we launch The Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards for 2008, a selection process that will culminate in a gala banquet in Belfast in January when the winners will be revealed.

Regarded as the most prestigious sports awards ceremony in the country, The Belfast Telegraph, in association with our joint hosts, the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and our generous sponsors Magners, is proud to celebrate our sporting successes.

On the opposite page you will find a nomination form on which you can recommend your choice of winner from the various categories. As is normally the case the competition will be fierce.

Last year our top award, the Sports Star of the Year, was won by David Healy, who of course scored a record breaking 13 goals in the European Championship qualifying campaign. It was the third time King David won the big prize, though this year a first time winner is on the cards.

And the person following in the footsteps of Northern Ireland’s legendary striker might just have enjoyed a sparkling summer in Beijing.

There may not have been scores of competitors from Northern Ireland in China, but all of them did us proud, especially those who returned home with medals.

Wendy Houvenaghel from Upperlands only took up cycling six years ago but in a memorable performance in Beijing, she rode her heart out to claim a cherished silver medal in the individual pursuit event.

Wendy also won Team gold with Great Britain in the world track championships in Manchester.

That was a magnificent effort as was the Olympic display put in by Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes, who fought so valiantly to claim a bronze in the light flyweight class.

This added to the silver he won in the European Union Amateur boxing championships.

Both Wendy and Paddy are in the running for the Sports Star of the Year award as are Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop who excelled in the Paralympics.

Ballymena man Michael produced a stunning display in the 800 metres, breaking the world record to win gold.

Eglinton’s Jason was also in world record breaking form in the 100 metres and 200 metres sprinting to glory in both events.

Another man quick off the mark this year was golfer Graeme McDowell. The Portrush star won two tour events this year in Korea and Scotland before playing superbly for Europe in his first Ryder Cup.

The Americans may have won the event, but Graeme emerged as a true European hero claiming two and a half points.

Fellow golfer Rory McIlroy had mixed fortunes but is ending the year on a rael high and has now made it into the top 100 list, which is some going for a young man onin his first year on tour.

Rory previously won our Young Sports Star of the Year Award as did motorcyclist Jonathan Rea, who did superbly to finish second in the World Supersport Championships after three wins and six podium places.

No doubt Jonathan will have many supporters in his bid to be named Sports Star of the Year.

Other contenders are Tony McCoy, who continues to dominate the jump jockey scene, and Jessica Kurten, who is still such a force in the equestrian field.

The list above is an indication of how successful Northern Ireland sport has been this year and maybe you can think of someone else who deserves to be considered for the main prize.

We also have the Player of the Year award which is made to an Ulster player who competes and excels mainly in the province.

Tyrone’s All-Ireland winning heroes Brian Dooher and Sean Cavanagh are sure to be in contention here along with Linfield’s double winning stars Michael Gault and Glenn Ferguson.

The Team of the Year prize is always keenly contested. Contenders will include Linfield and Tyrone, who famously won the All-Ireland against Kerry at Croke Park in September.

There is also the manager/Coach of the Year, Young Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year prizes.

And as usual, we will be going beyond the big back page headlines to honour our disabledsportsmen and women, and those people who make unheralded but significant contributions to local sport at grassroots level.

We don't want any deserved winners to miss out...and that's where you can help by filling out that nomination form. Over the coming weeks we'll update you with news about the forthcoming event but in the meantime, start getting those votes in!

The big evening has been a special event down the years and with the incredible drama we've had in sport this year, that trend is sure to continue.

Click here to book your place at the ceremony (pdf)

Magners on board for Telegraph Sports Awards

The countdown is now under way for this year's Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards and legendary Ulster and Irish international David Humphreys helped launched the Telegraph's partnership with Magners Original Cider who are once again lending their support as main sponsors of the awards.

Gavan Morris, Marketing Manager for Magners said: "Hollywood & Donnelly under the Magners Original brand continues to play an important role within the Northern Ireland sporting arena.

“Over several years, we have established a very successful association with the Belfast Telegraph through the sponsorship of their sports pages and the sports awards.

“We're delighted to once again back the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards and are pleased to announce a further three year sponsorship of Northern Ireland's top sports awards programme.

"We believe that Magners Original Cider is a perfect partner with regards to supporting sport and what better way than to be involved in the Sports Awards and to be part of recognising and rewarding some of the best and most talented Northern Ireland performers.

"Once again we are looking forward to the awards ceremony which takes place on Monday January 19 at the Ramada Hotel."

Northern Ireland has many fantastic sporting heroes, both young and old, making their name at home and abroad and the annual Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards aim to honour these players, teams, managers and some of those unsung heroes working behind the scenes.

Individual category awards include Team and Player of the Year sponsored by Club Energise and Pepsi, Manager/Coach of the Year, Young Team of the Year sponsored by Peugeot, Young Player of the Year and the Hall of Fame Award.

The George Best Breakthrough Award will be sponsored by a soon to be launched new Northern Ireland sports brand.

Other award categories include Local Heroes supported by Sport Northern Ireland, Sports Person with a Disability, backed by Disability Needs and the WJ 'Paddy' Patterson Award sponsored by the Northern Ireland Sports Forum.

Magners will also lend its name to the top award, the Northern Ireland Sports Star of the Year.

Nominate your choices for the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards

The purpose of the awards, organised in association with the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and sponsored by Magners Cider, is to identify sporting achievement and recognise those individuals, teams and organisations whose contribution to Ulster sport is outstanding. Nominations may be made by organisations, governings bodies of sport, district councils, local sports councils and individuals.

Sports Star of the Year

Sponsored by Magners Cider

A person identified with the province, whose sporting performances or achievements are seen as outstanding.

Player of the Year

Sponsored by Pepsi

The award will be made to an Ulster player who competes mainly in the province and whose performance and overall contribution are seen as outstanding.

Young Player of the Year

An individual aged 19 or under on 31 December 2008 and identified with the province whose sporting performances - or achievements are seen as outstanding.

Manager/Coach of the Year

An individual identified with the province whose managing/coaching achievements are seen as outstanding.

Young Team of the Year

Sponsored by Peugeot

A team aged 19 or under on 31 December 2008 and identified with the province, whose sporting performances or achievements are seen as outstanding.

Sports Person of the Year with a Disability

Sponsored by Disability Needs

Open to people based in the province and involved in a recognised category of sport for people with disability whether as performers, organisers or supporters.

George Best Breakthrough Award

Sponsored by a soon to be launched new Northern Ireland sports brand

This award recognises a sporting individual who has made a spectacular rise from obscurity during the last twelve months and is decided on by the sports writers of the Belfast Telegraph.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame Award recognises an Ulster sports person whose contribution to sport through the years has been outstanding.

Local Heroes

Sponsored by Sport NI

To recognise special achievement at grass roots level, the judges will present an award from the overall list of nominations.

Team of the Year

Sponsored by Energise Sport

A team based in Ulster, whether club or composite, which has achieved remarkable success in the current year.

How to Nominate

You can nominate in all of the categories. Each nomination should be supported by a citation of not more than 200 words.

Citations should also include your name, address and daytime telephone number and should arrive not later than 12 noon on Monday, 1 December. Send them by email to sportsawards@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

General conditions

The awards recognise achievement, service and overall contribution in relation to those sports and physical recreations which are recognised by Sports NI and Northern Ireland Sports Forum and are judged on the events and achievements of the 2008 calender year, with the exception of 'The Hall of Fame' and 'The WJ Paddy Patterson Award'. The awards are made by a panel of judges, chaired by the sports editor of the Belfast Telegraph.