rugby player and former chairman of the IRB, was born in Ballymena; in 2004 he was awarded the Freedom of the town. Colin Murdock, Preston North End F.C. and former Northern Ireland international. Mary Peters, Northern Irish Olympian, was raised in Ballymena. Jamie Smith, Irish Schools, Irish Universities, Ulster Rugby and Gwent Dragons ex-Rugby Union player. Raised in Ahoghill. Has the nickname "Big Ahoghill". Nigel Worthington, former Northern Ireland, Ballymena United and Sheffield Wednesday left back, as well as being the former international team manager. Bryan Young, Ulster and Ireland international rugby player. International relations Town Twinning Gibraltar Castlebar, Ireland Sister City Morehead, Kentucky See also Market Houses in Northern Ireland List of localities in Northern Ireland by population Slemish Mountain References Other sources "Battle Over Ballymena's Heroes." (8 March 2000). Belfast News Letter, p. 1. Judd, Terri. (9 March 2000). "Old hatreds Flare Over Neeson Freedom Award." The Independent (London), p. 7. Watson-Smyth, Kate. (23 March 2000). "Row Over Religion Sours Ballymena's Award to Actor." The Independent (London), p. 12. Ballymena on the Culture Northern Ireland website. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of County Antrim V111, Vol 23, 1831–5,1837–8. The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queens University Belfast. External links Ballymena Directory for 1910 BBC crime figures for Ballymena Planned communities in Northern Ireland