Connacht Rugby has today unveiled the nominations for the annual end-of-season Awards Gala, taking place this year on the 7th of May at the Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway.
18 awards will be given out at the ceremony celebrating the year’s achievements at all levels of the game including underage, club, schools women’s and the professional squad. The Players’ Player as voted by the Connacht senior squad will be awarded on the night as well as the Team Man of the Year, Fan’s Player of the Year, Try of the Year and an award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby.
The nominees are….
U18 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mark Balaski
Corey Reid
David Robb
U19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Matthew Burke
Cillian Gallagher
Simon Meagher
U20 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Peter Claffey
Stephen Kerins
Conan O’Donnell
WOMEN’S CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Elizabeth McKeever, NUIG RFC
Emer Power, Portumna RFC
Emma Clery, Galwegians RFC
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Laura Feely
Sene Naoupu
Mairead Coyne
CONNACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR
Westport RFC
Ballina RFC
NUIG RFC
COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Parkinson, Colaiste Iognaid (the Jes)
Brian McClearn, NUIG RFC
JP Walsh, Westport RFC
CONNACHT REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Jason Cairns
Paul Cronin
Shane McElwee
JUNIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sean Tobin, Westport RFC
Kevin Corcoran, Westport RFC
Mickey Murphy, Ballina RFC
SENIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rory O’Connor, Buccaneers RFC
David Panter, Corinthians RFC
Anthony Ryan, Galwegians RFC
CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
James Connolly
Sean O’Brien
Peter Robb
FORWARD OF THE YEAR
Denis Buckley
John Muldoon
Finlay Bealham
BACK OF THE YEAR
Bundee Aki
Matt Healy
Tiernan O’Halloran
CONNACHT RUGBY FAN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR*
John Muldoon
Aly Muldowney
Denis Buckley
Ultan Dillane
Bundee Aki
Tiernan O’Halloran
Matt Healy
*Fans can vote for their Player of the Year on Facebook.