Healy, Williams and Zebo on shortlist for top player award

Cian Healy, Nick Williams and Simon Zebo are the choice of their peers in Ireland’s Rugby Players Association to form the shortlist for the Hibernia College IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year award 2013.

Leinster loosehead prop Healy, Ulster No.8 Williams and Munster wing Zebo topped the voting by the country’s professional players, with the winner announced at the awards ceremony on May 8 at the Burlington Hotel.

Also in the hunt for recognition are Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw, Leinster’s Ian Madigan and Ulster’s Luke Marshall, for the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year, with Zebo getting a second nomination, this time for the Volkswagen Try of the Year. Zebo’s score in the corner for Ireland against Wales after receiving a brilliant pass from Brian O’Driscoll during this year’s Six Nations opener, goes up against Craig Gilroy’s try on his test debut against Argentina in November and provincial team-mate Ian Henderson’s effort against Saracens in Ulster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final at Twickenham.

The Hibernia College Medal for Excellence, awarded to the individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the game both on and off field, has seen votes for Leinster’s Isaac Boss, Ulster’s Chris Henry and Munster’s Marcus Horan.

Two awards have been opened up to public voting with Ulster’s Nigel Brady, Munster’s Billy Holland and Michael Swift of Connacht shortlisted for the IRUPA O2 Unsung Hero Award. Votes can be cast on Twitter @O2IrlRugby using the hashtag #O2UnsungHero.

Fans can also vote for their Supporters’ Player of the Year 2013 on Newstalk106-108fm by tuning into Off the Ball from Monday, April 29 to vote.