AIL Awards In Aviva Today

Ireland’s finest club rugby stars will line out this Thursday (May 14) in the home of Irish rugby, the Aviva Stadium, as the Ulster Bank League Awards return for a third successive year.

The Ulster Bank League Awards, which recognise and celebrate the dedication and commitment shown by players, coaches and teams, across all Ulster Bank League divisions, will once again be presented by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.

Introduced in the 2012/2013 season, the awards have become an established event in the rugby calendar with a selection of winners and nominees from the past two years even making the transfer to professional rugby, including Craig Ronaldson, Jack Conan and Mick McGrath.

Young Munster coach John Staunton is on the three-man shortlist for the Ulster Bank Coach of the Year having guided his side to the semi-final of Division 1A.

Dolphin's Rory Scannell and Cork Constitution's Tomás Quinlan are in the running for the Ulster Bank Rising Star Award.

Ed Rossiter of Garryowen is in contention for the Division 1B Player of the Year after helping his side to promotion back to the top tier.

There are two Munster-based players on the shortlist for the Ulster Bank Player of the Year in Division 2BPaul Stack of Highfield and Midleton's Christy Condon.

The public vote for the Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year – across all divisions – has now closed. The Munster nominees in that category are John Ed O'Connor (Cashel), Fintan O'Sullivan (Highfield), Ed Rossiter (Garryowen) and Ger Slattery (Young Munster).

Speaking ahead of the Ulster Bank League Awards, Ulster Bank rugby ambassador, Alan Quinlan, said: "It has been another exciting year in the Ulster Bank League and all those nominated for the awards should be immensely proud of themselves as there is tough competition in each category.

"These players have demonstrated why club rugby is so important across all divisions, from those in Division 1A who are pushing for spots in provincial teams to Division 2B with players who dedicate a huge amount for their local club. Supporting these players, and recognising and rewarding their talent, is vital for both the development of Irish rugby and Ireland's club players."

FULL ULSTER BANK LEAGUE AWARDS SHORTLIST

Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 1A
Nominees: Aaron Conneely (Lansdowne), Matt D'Arcy (Clontarf), Kyle McCoy (Terenure College)

Ulster Bank Coach of the Year – Division 1A
Nominees: John Staunton (Young Munster), James Blaney (Terenure), Bobby Byrne (UCD)

Ulster Bank Rising Star Award – Division 1A
Nominees: Cian Kelleher (Lansdowne), Tom Farrell (Lansdowne), Rory Scannell (Dolphin), Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution), Ross Adair (Ballynahinch)

Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 1B
Nominees: John Cleary (Galwegians), Sean Taylor (Ballymena), Ed Rossiter (Garryowen)

Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 2A
Nominees: Sean Coughlan (Blackrock College), Ross McAuley (Skerries), Ian Cassidy (Old Wesley)

Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 2B
Nominees: Paul Stack (Highfield), Christy Condon (Midleton), Neil Faloon (Armagh)

Ulster Bank Team of the Year – Across all UBL divisions
Winner announced on the night

Ulster Bank PRO of the Year
Nominees: Cian O'Higgins (Seapoint), Thomas O'Brien (Old Wesley), Ryan Clarke and Keelan Durnien (Queen's University Belfast)

Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year – Across all divisions (Public vote now closed)

Munster Nominees
John Ed O'Connor (Cashel)
Fintan O'Sullivan (Highfield)
Ed Rossiter (Garryowen)
Ger Slattery (Young Munster)