O’Connell dedicates award to colleagues

IRISH and Munster second row Paul O’Connell, was last night voted the BT IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year by his peers at the 4th annual Awards Dinner at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin.

But he immediately dedicated the honour to his colleagues.

“If I was picked because of my success in the line outs, then I would have to look at the guys lifting, the guy throwing, and others.

“It’s a team, and not an individual effort. I’m delighted to win something like this, because it has come from the players in the country, but it could have been somebody else,” he said.

“It is a massive honour, it’s nice to win it and also nice to see that other guys, like Shane Horgan, have been honoured for their contribution to Irish rugby this season.”

Horgan was rewarded at the ceremony last night for the try that yielded victory over England and secured the Triple Crown.

O’Connell remarked: “It was a fantastic try and it was timed to perfection. But, as I remarked about my own award, there were also other people involved.

“An award is always welcome, but you have got to think of the guys who helped you win that award,” continued O’Connell.

Ulster giant Jeremy Davidson was also amongst those honoured on the night when he was inducted into the IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Hall of Fame.

The awards were held to celebrate a year of individual achievements in what was another successful season which saw Ireland win the Triple Crown for the second time in three years, Munster reaching the Heineken Cup final and three of the four provinces fighting to win the Celtic League title.

IRUPA Chief Executive Niall Woods, a former Irish international, remarked: “What makes these awards so special is that they are voted for by the players from the four provinces. Congratulations to all those nominated and in particular to Paul O’Connell, Neil Best, Shane Horgan, Jeremy Davidson and Andrew Trimble in winning.”

Among those attending the ceremony were Brian O’Driscoll, Gordan D’Arcy, Felipe Contepomi, Anthony Foley and Malcolm O’Kelly.

Award Winners:

BT IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year Winner: Paul O’Connell (Munster).

IRUPA Club Energise Sport Unsung Hero Winner: Neil Best (Ulster).

IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Hall of Fame Inductee: Jeremy Davidson (Ulster).

IRUPA Tyrone Crystal Try of the Year Winner: Shane Horgan (Leinster).

IRUPA Green Giant Newcomer of the Year Winner: Andrew Trimble (Ulster).