Boxer Paddy Barnes has been nominated for the bursaries

Five talented young Northern Ireland sportsmen and women are in the running for the 2008 Dale Farm Sports Award.

Chloe Magee (badminton), Ciara Mageean (athletics), Jenna McCorkell (skating), Lisa Kearney (judo) and Paddy Barnes (boxing) are the five contenders.

The winner will pick a cash bursary of �5,000 - currently the biggest local individual sports funding boost.

McCorkell and cyclist Ryan Connor have been among the previous winners of the Dale Farm bursary.

Recognising the high standard of these finalists, Dale Farm is also offering an additional runner-up prize of �750.

"Due to the high calibre of these finalists, the selection process is proving very difficult this year," said Dale Farm marketing manager Brian Beattie.

"Their achievements show a lot of promise and because of this, we are offering the additional bursary that will be presented to the runner-up."

The overall winner and runner-up will be announced on 25 April at the Ulster Sports Trust's Award Evening in the Manor House, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.