O’Connell Is IRUPA Players’ Player Of The Year

Munster and Ireland’s Paul O’Connell was last night voted the Hibernia College IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year at the 13th annual awards ceremony. Supporters echoed the views of players with Paul also taking home the Newstalk Supporters’ Player of the Year 2015.

The Ireland captain has had a stand out season starting all of Ireland’s 6 Nations games and earning his 100th International cap against Wales. This is the second time Paul has won the Award, also taking the honour almost a decade ago in 2006. He joins Gordon D’Arcy and Tommy Bowe as a two time winner of the prestigious award.

Fending off stiff competition from his Munster team-mate Conor Murray, together with Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw, Paul was delighted to receive the award saying: “It is really great to win this award, it’s hard to believe it is nine years ago that I last won it. It’s been a fantastic season for Ireland and winning my 100th cap during the 6 Nations was really special, so this tops it off nicely.”

Two former Munster stars were also honoured on the night. Joining Ireland’s heroes in the BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame was Munster and Ireland flanker David Wallace, while the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society was presented to Alan Quinlan in recognition of the significant impact made to society through his work raising the profile of mental health and depression in Ireland.

Meanwhile Denis Hurley and Felix Jones were unlucky to miss out on the Unsung Hero and Medal for Excellence awards respectively. Leinster’s Darragh Fanning collected the 3 Unsung Hero Award, while Connacht stalwart Michael Swift was awarded the Hibernia College Medal for Excellence, which rewards on field effort combined with off field commitment to the game.

Connacht and Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw was named the Nevin Spence Young Player 2015 for an amazing third year in succession, making him the only player to win three Awards in a row. Nominated in three categories, he added to his tally by winning the VW Try of the Year for his try against England in the RBS Six Nations.

The BNY Mellon Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2015 as voted by members of the Ireland Sevens squad was presented to Lucy Mulhall for her consistent performances.

HIBERNIA COLLEGE IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Paul O’Connell, Munster

NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Robbie Henshaw, Connacht

VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2015
Robbie Henshaw, Ireland v England, RBS Six Nations

HIBERNIA COLLEGE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2015
Michael Swift, Connacht

BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2015
David Wallace, Munster

3 UNSUNG HERO 2015
Darragh Fanning, Leinster

NEWSTALK106-108FM SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Paul O’Connell, Munster

POWERSCOURT HOTEL RESORT & SPA MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2015
Ireland winning the RBS Six Nations Title as voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment15.

BNY MELLON WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Lucy Mulhall

ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2015
Alan Quinlan, Munster