IRUPA, the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association, yesterday announced their nominations for this season's awards including the prestigious BT IRUPA Players' Player of the Year. The awards are the only ones voted for by the players, reports Johnny Watterson.
The nominees to land the top award of players' player of the year are Munster and Ireland lock, Paul O'Connell, London Wasps and Irish open side flanker, Johnny O'Connor, and Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll.
A total of six awards will be presented at the ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, May 4th, at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. The awards are being held to celebrate the 2004/2005 rugby season and the players who made the biggest contribution both on and off the field. "Winning an award voted for by your peers is the best tribute for any sportsperson. This awards ceremony will celebrate those players who dominated the season but will also raise much needed funds for the IRUPA Injured Players Fund." Said IRUPA CEO Niall Woods.
The unsung hero award will be presented to a player who has consistently performed at a high level but has not received the recognition the voters perceive they deserve. Ulster flanker Neil Best, Munster and Ireland front row John Hayes, and Leicester-bound flanker Shane Jennings are the nominees.
NOMINATIONS
Players' player of the year: Paul O'Connell (Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster). Unsung hero of the year: Neil Best (Ulster), John Hayes (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leinster). Hall of fame: Eric Elwood (Connacht). Try of the year: Kieran Campbell (Ulster), David Humphreys (Ulster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster). Newcomer of the year: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Kieran Campbell (Ulster), David Holwell (Leinster). Special merit award: To be announced on Wednesday, May 4th.
