The Press Association’s Cathal McNaughton (previously of Sunday Life) has been crowned Vodafone Northern Ireland press photographer of the year for his emotive portfolio.
Among his work was a picture of a young boy at the funeral of Jonathan Stewart, a loyalist who was murdered by a fellow loyalist after an internal feud.
McNaughton said: “It came as a complete surprise winning this award. The competition was brilliant and it is a real honour.”
Mal MacCann, from Andersonstown News, not only won the provincial journalist of the year, he also claimed the top prize in two other categories, politics and people. The photo that clinched the politics category was a humorous shot of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness playing football with children in Bombay Street.
This year’s awards attracted 61 photographers and nearly 550 pictures. Here is the full list of winners: Vodafone NI Press Photographer of the Year: Cathal McNaughton, Sunday Life. Vodafone NI Provincial Press Photographer of the Year: Mal McCann, Andersonstown News. News: Arthur Allison, Pacemaker Press International: “Grief.” Politics: Mal McCann, Andersonstown News: “Men Against Boys.” Sport: Paul Faith, Press Association: “It’s a Knock Out.”
Features: Justin Kernoghan, Photopress: “Tyre-ing Inferno.”
People: Mal McCann, Andersonstown News: “Bog Meadow Bachelor.”
Picture Story: Stephen Davison, Pacemaker Press International: “A Rock and a Hard Place.” Special merit award for a concept in black and white: John Harrison, John Harrison Photography: “The Conductor.”
Belfast merit awards: Brendan Murphy, Irish News: “Rainy Day in Belfast”; Stephen Davison, Pacemaker Press International: “Durkan’s Election Selection”; Conor McCaughley, Sunday World: “The Boxer.” Provincial merit awards: David Scott, freelance: “A Light of Hope”; Darryl Mooney, freelance: “Heavens Above”. John McVitty, Impartial Reporter: “I’ll Score – You Can Bet Your Shirt On It”.
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