O’Gara a surprise omission from players’ award shortlist

MUNSTER and Ireland out-half Ronan O’Gara is a shock absentee from the shortlist for the 2008 BT Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) Players’ Player of the Year Award to be announced at a gala event later this month.

O’Gara, who captained Ireland for the first time against England in Twickenham, was arguably Ireland’s most consistent performer during a disappointing Six Nations campaign while also playing an inspirational role in helping Munster through the ‘Pool of Death’ in this season’s Heineken Cup.

Another notable absentee from the three nominations for the top award is Ireland and Leinster full-back/wing Rob Kearney who made an outstanding contribution in this year’s Six Nations.

The compiled shortlist for the coveted award includes Wasps and Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan, dynamic No 8 Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bowe, who joins Ospreys next season. Described as Irish rugby’s ultimate accolade, the Players’ Player of the Year Award is one of five which will be announced at the BT IRUPA Rugby Player Awards on April 23. The awards are voted for by the players and votes are cast across all four provinces.

Last year’s winner was Gordon D’Arcy who was instrumental in the 2006 Autumn Series wins over South Africa and Australia and the subsequent Six Nations campaign when Ireland came agonisingly close to claiming a first championship since 1985.

Fresh from his heroics at Kingsholm last weekend, Munster’s Denis Hurley has been recognised for his efforts in his breakthrough season by a nomination in the category, Newcomer of the Year. Leinster’s Cian Healy and Ulster out-half Niall O’Connor complete the shortlist.

There is also recognition for Hurley’s provincial colleague Niall Ronan who, with Rory Best (Ulster) and Andy Dunne (Connacht), is nominated for the Unsung Hero of the Year Award.

BT IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year: Tommy Bowe; Jamie Heaslip; Eoin Reddan.

IRUPA Club Energise Sport Unsung Hero of the Year: Rory Best (Ulster); Andy Dunne (Connacht); Niall Ronan (Munster).

IRUPA Green Giant Newcomer of the Year: Cian Healy (Leinster); Denis Hurley (Munster); Niall O’Connor (Ulster).

IRUPA Tyrone Crystal Try of Year: Tommy Bowe (Ireland v Scotland); Rob Kearney (Ireland v Scotland); Andrew Trimble (Ulster v Gloucester)

IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Hall of Fame 2008: Nomination issued on Tuesday, April 15.

Connacht’s head fitness adviser, Des Ryan, has been promoted to IRFU Fitness Development Manager.