Murphy Receives Writers Award

Geordan Murphy roared off with the top honour at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards dinner on Wednesday night. He edged out second-row Malcolm O’Kelly for the player of the year award.

Geordan Murphy roared off with the top honour at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards dinner on Wednesday night. The Ireland and Leicester Tigers full-back edged out second-row Malcolm O’Kelly for the player of the year award.

Clontarf squeezed past All-Ireland champions Ballymena to win the Guinness Club of the year, while Ireland team manager Brian O’Brien was also among the honours.

The Guinness Hall of Fame, run in conjunction with the awards, honoured two former Irish Lions in Niall Brophy and Robin Thompson. Murphy’s prize, however, is the culmination of a tremendous season both at club and international level. Murphy was on the periphery of the Ireland team, but injury saw him elevated to the starting line-up in the Six Nations Championship.

The 25-year-old Dubliner coupled attacking flair with sure and steadfast defence throughout Ireland’s most consistent run in the Championship since their Triple Crown success back in 1985. He scored two of his 10 international tries in last season’s campaign as well as the winning drop goal against France at Lansdowne Road.

Clontarf, meanwhile, unusually won the club award from under the noses of the team that collected the All-Ireland League title. The north Dublin side lost only two games from 15 during the regular AIB League seasons – both to Ulster sides. However, following victory against Buccaneers in the play-off semi-finals they were beaten 28-18 in the decider by earlier conquerors Ballymena. Clontarf, nevertheless, received the vote because the way they have progressed over the years with a side that featured few if any contracted players.

Brian O’Brien collected the Tom Rooney Memorial Trophy for his contribution to Irish rugby as player and official both with Shannon and Munster as well as his work with the international side.

The two Hall of Fame recipients join an illustrious list of former greats. Niall Brophy is a former Lions and Ireland winger who was a past President of the IRFU. Robin Thompson captained the Lions to South Africa in 1955 and crossed the gateway from union to league the following season.