Kleyn and Nic a Bhàird named Player of the Year at Munster Rugby Awards

The winners of the 2023 Munster Rugby Awards have been announced.

MEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jean Kleyn has won the Men's Player of the Year award at the 2023 Munster Rugby awards. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Thu, 16 Nov, 2023 - 17:33

Fiona Halligan

The winners of the 2023 Munster Rugby awards, across both the professional and domestic games have been announced.

Jean Kleyn was named Men's Player of the Year. Kleyn enjoyed a memorable 2022/23 campaign. He started 24 games throught the season more than anyone else in the squad. He made a remarkable 19 consecutive starts in the second half of the season culminating in Munster's URC title win. Kleyn went on to make his debut for South Africa against Australia in July before helping the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup title coming off the bench in the final win over New Zealand.

Deirbhile Nic a Bhàird won the Women's Player of the Year award. Nic a Bhàird had a superb season playing a pivotal role in Munster's Interprovincial Championship success. She started at number eight in all three games, picking up two Player of the Match awards and scored four tries in the campaign.

The Cork woman brought her good form from provincial level to play in all three of the Combined Provinces Celtic Challenge games before playing in all of Ireland's Six Nations games with four starts.

Academy Player of the Year was Ruadhàn Quinn. Quinn joined the Munster Academy at the start of the 2022/23 season just months after helping Crescent College Comprehensive to the Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup title.

The back row made his Munster senior debut in a pre-season game against Gloucester at Musgrave Park marking his debut with a try. Two months later, aged 18, he became the youngest Munster player of the professional era when he came off the bench against Zebre at Musgrave Park in October 2022. Quinn went on to make two more senior appearances against Leinster and Benetton.

Shane Kierans won Referee of the Year award. Originally from Drogheda in County Louth, Kierans started his refereeing career with the Munster Association of Referees in 2007. He excelled as a local referee leading to his appointment to the National Panel of Referees in 2011.

Kierans referees to Division 1 level of the AIL and has officiated as an Assistant Referee at URC and EPCR level. He took charge of the Munster Senior Challenge Cup Final thriller in Thomond Park between Nenagh Ormond and Young Munster.

Club Mini Section of the Year went to Shannon RFC who have a strong Minis section on Sunday mornings from 10am where hundreds of boys and girls aged between five and twelve years enjoy playing rugby.

School of the Year award went to the Presentation Brothers College who won both the Munster Schools Boys Junior and Senior Cups with success in the McCarthy Cup.

The Club Age-Grade Section of the Year was won by Bantry Bay RFC. They defeated Carrigaline-Dolphin 19-17 to win the Munster Clubs Boys U18 Cup.

Richmond RFC were named Junior Club of the Year who were crowned Munster Junior League champions for a fifth time in their history and also reached the finals of both the Transfield and Challenge Cups.

Senior Club of the Year went to Nenagh Ormond RFC in what was an historic season for the club when they became the first Tipperary team in over a century to reach the Munster Senior Challenge Cup Final only to lose to Young Munster in the dying seconds of the final.

Full list of award winners:

Men's Player of the Year - Jean Kleyn

Women's Player of the Year - Deirbhile Nic a Bhàird

Academy Player of the Year - Ruadhàn Quinn

Breakthrough Women's Player of the Year - Kate Flannery

Referee of the Year - Shane Kierans

Club Mini Section of the Year -Shannon RFC

School of the Year - Presentation Brothers College

Club Age-Grade Section of the Year - Bantry Bay RFC

Junior Club of the Year - Richmond RFC

Senior Club of the Year - Nenagh Ormond RFC