Persistence pays off for Munster’s gentle giant

Donnacha Ryan capped a remarkable season for Munster and Ireland when he was named the province’s Player of the Year at the 2012 Munster Rugby Awards in association with Irish Examiner on Saturday.

Ryan, 28, had been one of four Munster players nominated by their team-mates to be considered for the annual award in a poll of Irish Examiner readers. That vote was then taken into consideration by a panel of judges comprised of representatives from Munster Rugby and the Irish Examiner.

The versatile forward won the award ahead of fly-half Ronan O’Gara, team captain Paul O’Connell and last year’s victor James Coughlan.