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The Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association has today unveiled the nominations for the Zurich Irish Rugby Players’ Awards, taking place on the 4th of May at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Dublin.
Ten awards will be given out at the ceremony, culminating in Irish rugby’s ultimate accolade being presented - the Zurich IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year Award. For the first time ever the four shortlisted nominees of the main award consist of one from each Irish province – Rory Best (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht) Jack McGrath (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster). Voted on by their fellow professional teammates, the four finalists have been selected based on consistent form across the Pro 12, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, World Cup and 6 Nations.
For the second consecutive year, Robbie Henshaw has been nominated after standing out in both the World Cup and 6 Nations tournaments. Provincially Henshaw was once again a shining light in what was a landmark year for Connacht rugby and its ongoing evolution.
The Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year – an award which Henshaw has won for the last three years – will also be announced. This year it is contested by a host of talented young players who have stormed onto the scene. Leinster have two representatives in Gary Ringrose and Josh Van Der Flier, whilst Ulster’s blockbusting midfielder Stuart McCloskey rounds out the trio. The three players have had breakthrough seasons for their provinces with the latter two making their debuts for Ireland in the 6 Nations
Amongst the other prestigious awards, the BNY Mellon Hall of Fame will take place on the night, with the recipient to be announced in due course.
Other awards presented on the evening include: The Volkswagen Try of the Year, The Irish Times Supporters’ Player of the Year, the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award, the BNY Mellon Women’s XVs Player of the Year, the IRUPA Women’s 7’s Player of the Year, the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa Moment of the Year and The Vodafone Medal for Excellence.
Commenting on the Awards night was Former IRUPA Board Member and Player of the Year 2015, Paul O’Connell: “To be nominated for an IRUPA Award is such a fantastic achievement, it really is a great honour to be recognised by your fellow players. I would like to congratulate all the nominees, wish them the best and hope they enjoy the night”.
For awards updates, follow us on Twitter @IRUPA or use the hashtag: #RugbyAwards16. For more information on IRUPA, please visit www.irupa.ie
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw Connacht
CJ Stander Munster
Jack McGrath Leinster
Rory Best Ulster
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Josh Van Der Flier Leinster
Stuart Mccluskey Ulster
Gary Ringrose Leinster
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2016
Recipient to be announced the week of 25th of April 2016
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2016
Craig Gilroy Ulster v Scarlets Guinness Pro12
Jamie Heaslip Ireland v Italy RBS 6 Nations
Matt Healy Connacht v Grenoble Challenge Cup
IRISH TIMES SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw Connacht
Jack McGrath Leinster
Rory Best Ulster
Conor Murray Munster
Jonathon Sexton Leinster
CJ Stander Munster
Jared Payne Ulster
Matt Healy Connacht
ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2016
The award will be presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.
BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XVs PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Sene Naoupu Galwegians
Paula Fitzpatrick St. Mary’s
Ciara Griffin Tralee
POWERSCOURT HOTEL MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2016
Voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment16 the Rugby Moment of the Year will be unveiled at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.
VODAFONE Medal for Excellence 2016
Isaac Boss Leinster
Ronan Loughney Connacht
John Muldoon Connacht
IRUPA WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe
Ashleigh Baxter
Audrey Flynn
