Neil Cronin Named AIL Division 1A Player Of The Year

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt was in attendance to present the winners with their awards with all four provinces represented in 16 categories including the new addition of the All Ireland League Try of the Year Award.

Neil Cronin who earned himself a Munster contract ahead of next season on the back of his performances with Garryowen FC this season capped off an incredible year being named the Division 1A Player of the Year.

Cronin captained Garryowen to the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup title and also captained the Ireland Club international team this year before being awarded the Munster Player of the Year.

Liam Coombes ensured a very successful evening for Garryowen FC claiming the Top Try Scorer in Division 1A with 11 tries.

Remaining in Munster Alex McHenry who excelled in Cork Constitution FC’s run to the Division 1A final claimed the Division 1A Rising Star of the Year. In a historic year for UCC RFC, Paul Kiernan claimed the Division 1B Player of the Year for his role in leading the Cork University to Division 1A for the first time.

Lansdowne FC topped off an amazing season following their recent Division 1A and Bateman Cup final victories by taking home three awards with influential coach Mike Ruddock being awarded the coveted Division 1A Coach of the Year having led his team to the title winning 18 of 20 games. Talismanic fly-half Scott Deasy claimed the Top Points Scorer for his outstanding 219 points tally this season while Harry Brennan claimed the Leinster Player of the Year Award.

In Ulster, Rory Campbell who was instrumental for Malone RFC in their Division 2A campaign won the Division 2A Player of the Year while Andrew Morrison, Banbridge RFC was awarded the Ulster Player of the Year.

Sligo’s Shane Boyle was named the Division 2C Player of the Year while Galwegians Brian Murphy took top prize as Connacht Player of the Year.

Old Crescent RFC who claimed the Division 2B title unbeaten were awarded for their work both on and off the field with Val McDermott claiming the Division 2B player of the year and Frank Larkin being named the All Ireland P.R.O. of the Year.

The Club Volunteer of the Year was awarded to an incredibly worthy recipient; Michael Silke of Buccaneers RFC for his tireless work, dedication and commitment off the field and his willingness to help with any task for the club on training nights and his social committee work.

This year also saw the introduction of a new category, the All Ireland Try of the Year, recognising the winners of the All Ireland Try of the Month throughout this season’s All Ireland League. Decided by an online voting mechanism, Daniel McEvoy (Lansdowne – Division 1A) claimed the award amidst tough competition from; Ben Kilkenny (Young Munster – Division 1A), Jack Maybury (Old Wesley – Division 1B), Bain Champion (Seapoint – Division 2C), Dan Kerr (Malone – Division 2A), Paul Devitt (Skerries – Division 2B), Marcus McAllister (Malahide – Division 2C) & Falemaka El Vave (Queen’s University – Division 2A).

Full list of winners from the All Ireland League Awards

1. AIL Player of the Year – Division 1A: Neil Cronin, Garryowen FC

2. AIL Top Try Scorer – Division 1A: Liam Coombes, Garryowen FC

3. AIL Top Points Scorer – Division 1A: Scott Deasy, Lansdowne FC

4. AIL Rising Star of the Year – Division 1A: Alex McHenry, Cork Constitution FC

5. AIL Coach of the Year – Division 1A: Mike Ruddock, Lansdowne FC

6. AIL Player of the Year – Division 1B: Paul Kiernan, UCC RFC

7. AIL Player of the Year – Division 2A: Rory Campbell, Malone RFC

8. AIL Player of the Year – Division 2B: Val McDermott, Old Crescent RFC

9. AIL Player of the Year – Division 2C: Shane Boyle, Sligo RFC

10. AIL Club PRO (Public Relations Officer) of the Year: Frank Larkin, Old Crescent RFC

11. AIL Club Volunteer of the Year: Michael Silke, Buccaneers RFC

12. AIL Try of the Year: Daniel McEvoy, Lansdowne

12. AIL Provincial Players of the Year

– Connacht Player of the Year: Brian Murphy, Galwegians RFC

– Leinster Player of the Year: Harry Brennan, Lansdowne FC

– Munster Player of the Year: Neil Cronin, Garryowen FC

– Ulster Player of the Year: Andrew Morrison, Banbridge RFC

IRFU President Philip Orr commented, “The All Ireland League allows clubs to showcase their talent, their communities and the values rugby represents. These awards are a welcome recognition of the dedication and commitment of not just the players but the volunteers in our clubs that represent the bedrock of our game. On behalf of the IRFU I would like to congratulate the individual winners and their clubs.”