All eyes will be on the Ramada Hotel this evening as the great and the good of Northern Ireland sport gear up for the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards.

It has been another outstanding year for our sportsmen and women and they are all in contention for recognition in one of the most eagerly awaited awards ceremonies of the year.

So who will follow in the footsteps of our record goal scorer David Healy, in picking up the Magners Sports Star of the Year?

Paralympian double recorder-breaker Jason Smyth, Olympic silver medallist Wendy Houvenaghel, Scottish Open holder Graeme McDowell and motorcycling sensation Jonathan Rea are all in the hunt after a year of tremendous success.

The Pepsi-sponsored Player of the Year will be contested by Sean Cavanagh, Rory Best, Michael Dunlop and Peter Connell.

The Young Player of the Year, sponsored of Linwoods, will go to either Chelsey Wilson, Paul Stirling, David Ames or Wayne Boyd.

Those who have inspired our sports stars will go head-to-head for the Manager/ Coach of the Year award, sponsored by Ladbrokes. They are Michael McCullough, Noel Dunn, Mickey Harte and David Jeffrey.

The Energise Sport Team of the Year will go to either; the Northern Ireland Men's Volleyball team, O'Donovan Rossa Camogie team, Linfield Football Club or the Tyrone GAA side.

The star outfits of tomorrow are also recognised in the Young Team of the Year, sponsored by Peugeot. They will be selected from the NI Commonwealth Games Youth team, Royal School Armagh Hockey team, Donemana Cricket Club and Tyrone Minors.

Our Beijing Paralympians provide strong competition in Sports Person with a Disability award, sponsored by Disability Needs, in the form of Jason Smyth, Michael McKillop and Jonathan Cummings. Janet Gray is also nominated.

There will also be a host of other gongs including the Paddy Patterson award, sponsored by the NI Sports Forum and the George Best Breakthrough award, sponsored by One 1918.

Excellence in grassroots sports is highlighted by the Local Heroes award, sponsored by Sport NI and a Presseye photography Special Award, while another sporting legend will be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight.