Shortlist Revealed For 2023/24 Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards

Award winners will be revealed this Wednesday, with a new award, the Ulster Rugby Foundation Community Impact award, included as part of the line-up.

Following a public vote last week on the Ulster Rugby app, this season’s Women’s Player of the Year and Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year will be crowned.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Ulster Rugby Interim Chief Executive Hugh McCaughey said: “We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for this season’s Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards, including those nominated for the new Ulster Rugby Foundation Community Impact award.

“Each of the nominees is representative of the year-round hard work and dedication that goes into the domestic and professional game across the province.

“Good luck to all of the players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and clubs shortlisted today ahead of Wednesday’s awards and, on behalf of Ulster Rugby, thank you for all that you have given to rugby in Ulster in the 2023/24 season.”

2023/24 HEINEKEN ULSTER RUGBY AWARDS – SHORTLIST:

Danske Bank Boys Schools Player of the Year

• Josh Gibson (Royal Belfast Academical Institution)
• Blake McLean (Royal Belfast Academical Institution)
• Conor Magee (Banbridge Academy)

Danske Bank Girls Schools Player of the Year

• Niamh Fulton (Sullivan Upper School)
• Anna Wilson (Enniskillen Royal Grammar School)
• Tara O’Neill (Assumption Grammar School)

Ulster Boys Youth Player of the Year

• James Orr (Ballymena RFC)
• Oran Kennedy (Rainey RFC)
• Dylan Fox (Malone RFC)

Ulster Girls Youth Player of the Year

• Erin McConalogue (Inishowen RFC)
• Leah Irwin (Enniskillen RFC)
• Cara McLean (Larne RFC)

Ken Goodall Club Player of the Year

• Rhys O’Donnell (Instonians RFC)
• Claytan Milligan (Ballynahinch RFC)
• Bradley McNamara (Instonians RFC)

Kukri Club of the Year

• Ballyclare RFC
• Ballynahinch RFC
• Clogher Valley RFC
• Instonians RFC
• Virginia RFC

Ulster Rugby Foundation Community Impact Award

• Civil Service NI RFC – Women and Girls Rugby nominee
• Portadown Panthers – Disability Rugby nominee
• Jon Watt from Virginia RFC – Youth Rugby nominee

Young Women’s Player of the Year

• Tara O’Neill (Cooke RFC)
• Paige Smyth (Ballynahinch RFC)
• Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC)

Young Men’s Player of the Year

• Scott Wilson (Dromore RFC)
• Harry Sheridan (Civil Service NI RFC)
• Cormac Izuchukwu (Tullamore RFC)

Rugby Writers’ Player of the Year

• Stuart McCloskey (Bangor RFC)
• David McCann (Cooke RFC)
• John Cooney (Gonzaga College)
• Nick Timoney (Blackrock College RFC)

Ulster Rugby Supporters’ Club Player of the Year

• David McCann (Cooke RFC)
• Nick Timoney (Blackrock College RFC)
• John Cooney (Gonzaga College)

Women’s Player of the Year

• Ella Durkan (Blackrock College RFC)
• Niamh Marley (Cooke RFC/Dungannon RFC)
• Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC)

Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year

• David McCann (Cooke RFC)
• Michael Lowry (Dromore RFC)
• Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch RFC)
• James Hume (Instonians RFC)