Munster Women’s Captain Ciara Griffin Scoops Player Of The Year Award

The Guinness Rugby Writers Awards took place on Wednesday night with Munster’s Ciara Griffin, Aimee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Cork Constitution and Michael Kiernan among the award-winners.

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt was awarded the prestigious Tom Rooney award in recognition of his immense contribution to Irish Rugby with Ireland and Leinster second-row James Ryan named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year.

Ireland, Munster & UL Bohemian back-row Ciara Griffin was recognised as the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year. The Kerry native played in all of Ireland Six Nations games where her on-field performances coupled with her leadership as captain ensuring she was the stand-out player for the Irish women last season.

The Irish U20 Men were awarded the Dave Guiney Guinness Rugby Writers Team of the Year following their incredible Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship. Jordan Conroy was named the inaugural Men’s Sevens Player of the Year whilst Aimee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is the first Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. Aimee-Leigh was the top try scorer in the 2018/19 Women’s World Series and was named in the Women’s World Series Dream Team. Jordan’s try-scoring helped secure the Ireland’s men’s team a place on the World Series next year.

Cork Constitution, who emerged as 2019 All Ireland League Champions, were named Guinness Rugby Writers Club of the Year. The club enjoyed an incredible season with the Senior XV winning 23 of their 26 matches claiming the All-Ireland League, Munster Senior Cup and the Cork Charity Cup.

British & Irish Lion, Ireland, Munster and Dolphin’s Michael Kiernan was inducted into the Guinness Rugby Writers Hall of Fame. Kiernan, who played for Ireland 43 times, was a member of the Irish team that won the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985. Best remembered for his famous drop-goal in Lansdowne Road that secured victory against England to win the 1985 Triple Crown, Kiernan toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand in 1983 and was a member of Ireland’s team at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.