Connacht Announce Their Player Of The Year Nominees

The annual event is a celebration of the year’s achievements with the Connacht squad and friends from around the province at all levels of the game – underage, clubs, Schools, Women’s and professional.

Connacht have today announced the nominees for each category. Each nominee should be proud of their achievements over the last season and their commitment to the game of rugby.

This year, there is a slight change to the senior professional categories with an award going to the Academy Player of the Year, Connacht Forward of the Year and Connacht Back of the Year.

The Players’ Player of the Year, as voted by the Connacht senior squad, will be awarded on the night and there will be a special award going to the Connacht Team Man of the Year.

CONNACHT U-18 SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Peter Claffey (Garbally College)
Conor Kenny (Garbally College)
Conan O’Donnell (Summerhill College, Sligo)

CONNACHT U-18 CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Matthew Cosgrove (Sligo RFC)
Patrick Daly (Ballinrobe RFC)
Stephen Kerins (Sligo RFC)

CONNACHT U-19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ciarán Gaffney
Marc Kelly
Rory Moloney

CONNACHT U-20 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Caolin Blade
Sean O’Brien
Jacob Walshe

CONNACHT SENIOR WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tanala Kehoe
Ciara O’Connor
Claire Raftery

CONNACHT WOMEN’S CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Edel McMahon (NUIG RFC)
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians RFC)
Caroline Staunton (Castlebar RFC)

CONNACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR

Ballinasloe RFC
Buccaneers RFC
Galwegians RFC

CONNACHT COACH OF THE YEAR

Chris Davies (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar)
Simon Galvin (Sligo Grammar)
George Naoupu (Galwegians Women)

CONNACHT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

John Davey (Sligo RFC)
Geraldine McNally (Loughrea RFC)
Kevin O’Malley (Claremorris RFC)

CONNACHT REFEREE OF THE YEAR

Karol Collins
Daniel Collins
David Connolly

CONNACHT JUNIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Matthew Dempsey (Westport RFC)
John Hayes (Ballinasloe RFC)
Dave McDonagh (Connemara RFC)

CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mark Dolan (Buccaneers RFC)
Finn GormlEy (Corinthians RFC)
Ja Naughton (Galwegians RFC)

CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jack Carty
Darragh Leader
Eoghan Masterson

CONNACHT RUGBY FORWARD OF THE YEAR

Jake Heenan
Michael Kearney
John Muldoon

CONNACHT RUGBY BACK OF THE YEAR

Robbie Henshaw
Eoin Griffin
Kieran Marmion

All nominees and winners are chosen by Connacht and Branch management.

This will be the greatest social event of the rugby season in Connacht and all Connacht Rugby supporters are invited to attend. Tickets are on sale now.

Date: Saturday, April 26
Venue: Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway
Time: 7.30pm – Drinks Reception followed by a three course meal with wine and live entertainment
Price: €;90 per ticket; €;900 per table of 10

For more information or to purchase your ticket/table, contact Hazel Casburn at hazel@cbirfu.com or call the Connacht Rugby reception desk on 091 561 568.

Tickets can also be purchased from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground, College Road, Galway (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).