O'Connor scoops Players' Player of Year award

Wasps and Ireland flanker Johnny O'Connor, was tonight voted BT IRUPA Players Player of the Year - the first overseas based player to win the award.

The announcement was made at the third annual BT IRUPA Rugby Players' Awards Dinner, attended by over 600 people in the Burlington Hotel.

O'Connor said he was delighted to receive the award: "To win this award has added to a great season for me personally.

"For the other players to vote for me as the best player for 2005 gives me great pride and will only encourage me to go on to achieve greater things as my career develops. This is the top rugby award in Ireland and no one can take that away from me."

Connacht legend Eric Elwood was also amongst those honoured on the night when he was inducted into the IRUPA Barker Hall of Fame.

The complete award winners were:

BT IRUPA Players Player of the Year 2005

Winner: Johnny O'Connor (Wasps)

IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Unsung Hero 2005 Winner: Shane Jennings (Leinster)

IRUPA Barker Hall of Fame 2005: Eric Elwood (Connacht)

IRUPA Tyrone Crystal Try of the Year 2005 Winner: Kieran Campbell (Ulster)

IRUPA Green Giant Newcomer of the Year 2005 Winner: David Holwell (Leinster)

IRUPA Irish Life Special Merit Award 2005 Winner: Paddy "Rala" O'Reilly