D’Arcy is Players' Player of the Year

GORDON D’ARCY was named the O2 IRUPA Players Player of the Year at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin last night.

Keith Wood and Paddy Johns were inducted into the IRUPA Barker Insurance Hall of Fame.

“To be voted the best player for 2004 by the players around the country when there are so many talented players is a great honour. This is the ultimate rugby award and something I will treasure for the rest of my career,” said D’Arcy.

The awards celebrated another successful season as Ireland claimed the Triple Crown for the first time in 19 years, Ulster secured the inaugural Celtic Cup while Munster and Connacht reached the semi-finals of their respective European Competitions.

“What makes these awards so special is that they are voted for by the players from the four provinces. Congratulations to Gordon D’Arcy, Mike Mullins, Keith Wood and Paddy Johns, Girvan Dempsey and Tommy Bowe in winning what is becoming the most coveted and prestigious awards in Irish rugby,” commented Niall Woods, Chief Executive of IRUPA.