Con Dominate Nominations For AIL Awards

All-Ireland League Division 1A and Bateman Cup winners Cork Constitution are predictably heading the list of nominations for tonight’s Ulster Bank All-Ireland League awards.

The awards make a welcome return to the Aviva Stadium for its fifth year on, celebrating the best of club rugby in Ireland at the annual showcase event.

And while the Cork side have seven nominations – out-half Tomas Quinlan picking up three of the these – they are joined by a number of other Munster clubs who have had strong seasons in 2016/17.

This year will also see the introduction of a new category, ‘Club Volunteer of the Year’. The award will identify the individuals who work tirelessly in the background at their club and these nominees are put forward by their own club representatives.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will be in attendance again to present the awards to the winners.

Since their introduction in the 2012/13 season, the awards have become a recognised event on the Irish rugby calendar providing a unique platform from which to honour the rising stars of the game. The already high standard of the grassroots game showcased throughout the All-Ireland League season continues to grow in Ireland and provides a pivotal platform for future professionals.

Once again, the Provincial Player of the Year awards will be chosen by public vote, with the shortlist nominated by our expert judging panel of pundits Damien O’Meara (RTE Sport), Donn O’Sullivan (Limerick Post) and Richard Mulligan (The Newsletter).

The provinces also has a of shortlists in the other leagues, with Harry Fleming (UL Bohemians – 1B), Fintan O’Sullivan (Highfield – 2A), and Clayton Stewart (Nenagh Ormond – 2A) also nominated for player of the year in their respective divisions.

2016/17 Ulster Bank League Awards Shortlist:

Division 1A Player of the Year: Eamonn Mills (Lansdowne), Matt D’Arcy (Clontarf), Niall Kenneally (Cork Constitution), Tomas Quinlan (Cork Constitution).

Division 1A Rising Star: Alan Tynan (Young Munster), Jack Kelly (Dublin University), Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College), Tomas Quinlan (Cork Constitution).

Division 1A Coach of the Year: Andy Wood (Clontarf), Brian Hickey (Cork Constitution), Mike Ruddock (Lansdowne), Tony Smeeth (Dublin University).

Division 1B Player of the Year: Harry Fleming (UL Bohemians), John Sutton (Buccaneers), Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers), William O’Brien (Naas).

Division 2A Player of the Year: Clayton Stewart (Nenagh Ormond), Dave Cave (Malone), Fintan O’Sullivan (Highfield), Stephen Irvine (Banbridge).

Division 2B Player of the Year: Ali Birch (Armagh), Harvey Young (Armagh), Jack Keating (Greystones), John Campbell (Greystones)

Division 2C Player of the Year: Brian Haugh (Navan), Kuba Wojtkowicz (Sligo), Riaan van der Vyver (Navan), Tommy O’Hagan (Rainey Old Boys).

Provincial Player of the Year – Munster Nominees: Colm Skehan (Young Munster), Luke Cahill (Cork Constitution), Niall Kenneally (Cork Constitution), Tomas Quinlan (Cork Constitution).