Monaghan And Van Der Flier Win Player Of The Year Awards

In Pics: Irish Rugby Stars Honoured At Rugby Players Ireland Awards

An ever present for his country, van der Flier has continued his fine form on the European stage where he has been to the fore of Leinster’s march to the upcoming Heineken Champions Cup final in Marseille.

The 29-year-old Wicklow man won in a category that included formidable competition from Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan to claim the Accenture Men’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year award.

Having made his Ireland debut in 2016, van der Flier has had to bide his time on the international stage amidst a host of back row options.

A nominee for the Six Nations Player of the Championship this season, his consistently excellent performances have not gone unnoticed by his peers.

On receiving his award, van der Flier commented:

I have many great memories from what has been a special year for me, on both a personal and professional level.

“To be acknowledged by my team-mates and opponents in this way is particularly humbling. A special word of thanks to my fiancé and family who continue to help guide me through!”

The Accenture Women’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year, as voted by members of the Ireland squad, was presented to second row Monaghan following several prominent performances this season.

Monaghan prevailed over Linda Djougang and Eve Higgins, who took home both the WHOOP Women’s 15s Young Player of the Year and the iZest Marketing Women’s 15s Try of the Year awards.

The TritonLake Women’s Sevens Player of the Year was awarded to the outstanding Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

Speaking as she claimed the 15s Player of the Year award, Monaghan said:

This team has been through a tremendous amount this year, we always keep fighting. The bravery these players have shown, past and present, on and off the pitch, is captivating.

“To be voted by them for this award is an extreme honour and we will continue to fight to put the green jersey in a better place for the next generation.”

Many of the biggest names in the Irish game were present at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road for what was a celebration of a season of highs and lows for the game on the field.

Amongst them was Connacht star Hansen, who accepted the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year Award on behalf of his Ireland team-mates on account of their Triple Crown success.

Despite also having two efforts in the mix for the MSL Mercedes-Benz Dealerships’ Men’s 15s Try of the Year, Hansen was pipped by Doris for his try against New Zealand.

Other award winners on the night included Terry Kennedy who was named as the AIB Corporate Banking Men’s Sevens Player of the Year for the second successive season.

Andrew Porter’s work in the community was also recognised in his winning of the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society award.

Cian Prendergast was presented with the Nevin Spence Men’s Young Player of the Year award. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Nevin’s passing. All of the winners on the night received a WHOOP 4.0.

Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, commented: “I am delighted to see Sam, Josh and all our winners receive the recognition of their peers following what has been a hugely successful season for Irish Rugby, both on and off the field.

“Winning a Rugby Players Ireland award is the highest honour an individual player can receive in Ireland.

“To be acknowledged by your team-mates and opponents in this manner goes some way to justifying the sacrifices that are required to make it at the top level of the game.”

Alastair Blair, Country Managing Director at Accenture in Ireland, one of this year’s sponsors, added: “Accenture is delighted to support the Rugby Players Ireland Awards which acknowledge and celebrate the hard work that these players put in on and off the field throughout the season.

“I wish to extend my congratulations to all of our worthy winners tonight – and to all of those who were nominated. I look forward to seeing how each progress in their careers into the future.”

2022 RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND AWARDS – WINNERS & NOMINEES:

ACCENTURE MEN’S 15s PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Mack Hansen (Connacht)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
Winner: Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

ACCENTURE WOMEN’S 15s PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union)
Winner: Sam Monaghan (Wasps)

NEVIN SPENCE MEN’S 15s YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Michael Lowry (Ulster)
Winner: Cian Prendergast (Connacht)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster)

WHOOP WOMEN’s 15s YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Eve Higgins (Railway Union)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College)

MSL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIPS’ MEN’S 15s TRY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Caelan Doris – Ireland v New Zealand, Autumn Nations Cup
Mack Hansen – Connacht v Vodacom Bulls, United Rugby Championship
Mack Hansen – Ireland v France, Guinness Six Nations

iZEST MARKETING WOMEN’S 15s TRY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Eve Higgins – Ireland v France, TikTok Women’s Six Nations
Eve Higgins – Ireland v Italy, TikTok Women’s Six Nations
Lindsay Peat – Ireland v USA, Autumn International

AIB CORPORATE BANKING MEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Terry Kennedy
Bryan Mollen
Andrew Smith

TRITONLAKE WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Eve Higgins
Lucy Mulhall
Winner: Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe