Mayo man among nominees for Rugby Players Ireland award

Mayo man Caelan Doris is among the nominees for the prestigious Bank of Ireland Men’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year Award. He is joined in the running by Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan and Dan Sheehan

Set to be hosted by former players Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble, the Rugby Players Ireland Awards celebrate the on- and off-field achievements of members and will take place on May 17 at the Clayton Hotel on the Burlington Road in Ballsbridge.

Grand Slam winners Doris, Hansen and Keenan are nominated for the second year in succession, with Dan Sheehan a new addition to this year’s nominees at the expense of last year’s winner and World Rugby Player of the Year, Josh van der Flier.

A central feature of the success both his club and country have enjoyed this season, Sheehan is also nominated for the Nevin Spence Men’s Young Player of the Year with Jack Crowley and Tom Stewart.

A nominee for the Six Nations Player of the Championship alongside Hansen and Keenan, Caelan Doris – who started his rugby journey as a mini in Ballina RFC – has enjoyed a superb campaign and can be credited with kick-starting Ireland’s Grand Slam voyage with his try after two minutes against Wales.

Meanwhile, Hugo Keenan continued his extraordinary run of form with a number of vital contributions, not least his effort against France which is a contender for the MSL Mercedes-Benz Dealerships’ Men’s Try of the Year.

A firm fan favourite, Mack Hansen completes the shortlist having earned numerous Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match awards.

CHALLENGING

It has been a challenging campaign for an inexperienced Irish Women’s XVs but several players led from the front in the face of adversity.

In addition to earning great respect from a growing fanbase, Bank of Ireland’s Women’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year nominees Neve Jones, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and captain Nichola Fryday have been acknowledged by their peers for the role they played on and off the field in navigating a difficult few weeks.

This year will also see one of Natasja Behan, Aoife Dalton or Sadhbh McGrath named as the izest Marketing Women’s XVs Young Player of the Year.

Behan is joined by Fryday and Aoife Doyle as a nominee for the AIB Corporate Banking Women’s XVs Try of the Year for her effort against Japan in the first test of a historic summer series for the side.

While the race for the Olympics remains in the balance, it has been a hugely positive year for the Irish Sevens programme. The men’s team claimed bronze at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa, with Lucy Mulhall’s side a regular feature at the latter stages of the World Series circuit.

Mulhall, a two-time winner of the Triton Lake Women’s 7s Player of the Year, is joined by Emily Lane and Béibhinn Parsons in the shortlist.

Jack Kelly, Harry McNulty and Andrew Smith will contest the Triton Lake Men’s 7s Player of the Year.

The awards night will also see the Zurich Irish Contribution to Society Award presented to the individual who has been a valued member of their community.

Members of the public are also invited to partake in the selection of the Druids Glen Moment of the Year using #DruidsMoment23. Follow Rugby Players Ireland on Twitter (@RugbyPlayersIRE) and Instagram (@rugbyplayersireland) for more.

IMPORTANT

Commenting on the announcement, Rugby Players Ireland chairperson Peter O’Mahony said: “The past year has demonstrated that while Irish Rugby is in a good place, there is still plenty of work to be done to ensure that we are fighting on all fronts. To get to where we want to go, we can never stand still.

“Nevertheless, it’s important that before we move on to new goals and ambitions we must recognise the achievement of our players who reach the pinnacle of their game. I wish to congratulate all nominees and their teammates on their efforts this season.”

Simon Keogh, CEO, Rugby Players Ireland, added: “My congratulations to all who have been nominated this year. This recognition is a testament to their hard work, dedication and talent, both on and off the field and the highest tribute their peers can pay. We are proud to represent such exceptional people.”