Bundee Aki was voted the Connacht Rugby Players’ Player of the Year by his fellow team mates at the annual Connacht Rugby Awards Gala in Galway last night.
The charismatic centre has had a stand out season starting 26 of the 28 games played so far. His skill set, physicality, and work rate on and off the ball have seen him earn plenty of recognition from fans and peers.
Connacht supporters echoed the views of the players with Aki also taking home the Fans’ Player of the Year following a public vote conducted online. The 26-year-old, now in his second season at Connacht, was up to the stage for a third time to pick up the award for Back of the Year while his Connacht captain John Muldoon was the deserved recipient for Forward of the Year.
On receiving the accolades Aki commented: “While it’s very humbling to receive these awards, I’m definitely collecting them on behalf of the whole team. It’s been a phenomenal season and it’s fantastic to see that all the hard work from absolutely everyone since day one of pre-season has paid off to get us to where we are now.
“To receive an award from the Connacht fans is awesome. Since I arrived here two years ago they have been incredible and we really appreciate their support of the team, especially the way they create that special atmosphere at the Sportsground that we love.”
Westport RFC were awarded the Connacht Club of the Year following an outstanding season for the Mayo club. Their Senior team found success in the J1A League and the Cawley Cup whilst also reaching the Junior Cup Final and representing Connacht in the All Ireland round robin qualifier.
The clubs youth girls section has also been a particular highlight, appearing in three finals, winning the U18 Cup and League.
Representatively, Westport had nine players in the Connacht Juniors Match day squad, five girls in the Connacht U18 squad and a player in the Connacht U19’s squad.
The list of Awards Winners in full is as follows:
CONNACHT U18 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Top Oil
David Robb
CONNACHT U19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Peter Gormley, ENT
Cillian Gallagher
CONNACHT U20 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Keller Travel
Conan O’Donnell
CONNACHT WOMEN’S CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Wayfair
Elizabeth McKeever, NUIG RFC
CONNACHT WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by My Club Finances
Laura Feely
CONNACHT COACH OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Deloitte
Steve Parkinson, Colaiste Iognaid (the Jes)
CONNACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Ulster Bank
Westport RFC
CONNACHT REFEREE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Golden Eye Security
Jason Cairns
OUTSANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RUGBY, sponsored by AIB
John Davey, Sligo RFC
and
Cian de Buitlear, An Ghaeltacht RFC
CONNACHT JUNIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Heineken
Kevin Corcoran, Westport RFC
CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by HC Financial
Rory O’Connor, Buccaneers RFC
CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR, Sponsored by RDJ
Sean O’Brien
CONNACHT RUGBY FORWARD OF THE YEAR, sponsored by The Front Door
John Muldoon
CONNACHT RUGBY BACK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Deep RiverRock
Bundee Aki
CONNACHT RUGBY TRY OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Irish Independent
Caolin Blade, Ulster v Connacht
CONNACHT RUGBY TEAM MAN OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Mazda
Ronan Loughney
CONNACHT RUGBY FANS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Life Style Sports
Bundee Aki
CONNACHT RUGBY PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Bundee Aki