D’Arcy Players’ Player of the Year

LEINSTER and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy, was last night voted BT IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year.

Shane Horgan was also amongst those honoured at the gala awards night when he was awarded the Try of the Year for the second year running for his score against England at Croke Park; former Irish Examiner Junior Sports Star Luke Fitzgerald was named Newcomer of the Year, while Victor Costelleo was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

D’Arcy was delighted to have won the award and is the first player to win the prestigious accolade twice.

Said the Wexford man: “The season gets better and better for me personally and for the teams I have played in. This is the top rugby award in Ireland and I am delighted to have won it for the second time. It gives me great pleasure to win this award as it comes from the people I play with and against throughout the season.”

Niall Woods, CEO of IRUPA said: “What makes these awards so special is that they are voted for by the players from all four provinces. Congratulations to all those nominated and in particular to Gordon, Stephen, Shane, Luke and my old friend Victor in winning what are the most sought after awards in Irish rugby.”

BT IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year: G D’Arcy (Leinster).

Nominations: G D’Arcy (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D Wallace (Munster).

IRUPA Club Energise Sport Unsung Hero: S Keogh (Leinster).

Nominations: J Hayes (Munster), T Hogan (Leinster), S Keogh (Leinster).

IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Hall of Fame Inducted: V Costello (Leinster).

IRUPA Tyrone Crystal Try of the Year: S Horgan (Ireland v England).

Nominations: S Easterby, (Italy v Ireland), S Horgan, (Ireland v England), S Keogh, (Leinster v Gloucester).

IRUPA Irish Mortgage Corporation Newcomer of the Year: L Fitzgerald (Leinster).

Nominations: S Ferris (Ulster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), D Riordan (Connacht).

IRUPA Green Giant Special Merit Award: Garrett Culliton.