IRUPA Nominations For O’Connell, Murray, Hurley & Jones

Munster’s Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray have been nominated for the IRUPA Hibernia College Players’ Player of the Year 2015, with Denis Hurley and Felix Jones also in contention for awards at the annual IRUPA (Ireland’s Rugby Players Association) Awards.

Stand out performances across the Autumn Series and back to back 6 Nations victories made for very competitive voting, meaning that for the first time ever four players have been nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year award with O’Connell and Murray joined by Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw on the list of nominees.

The award is just one of ten (details below) that will be presented at the sellout ceremony hosted by Kyran Bracken on Wednesday May 13^th at Dublin’s Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. The Awards mark one of the biggest nights in Irish sport and are the only national awards voted for by the players themselves, with votes collected from professional players across the country. Commenting on the Awards, IRUPA Board Member and Player of the Year 2014, Andrew Trimble said, “To be nominated for an IRUPA Award is such a fantastic achievement, it really is a great honour to be recognised by your fellow players. I would like to congratulate all the nominees and wish them the best and hope they enjoy the night”.

The Hibernia College Medal for Excellence will be awarded to the individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the game both on and off field. This is a player who matches their playing and training with team support, studies, work, mentoring, charity and community involvement. Players across the provinces voted for Ulster’s Chris Henry, Munster’s Felix Jones and Connacht stalwart Michael Swift.

Ulster’s Callum Black, Leinster winger, Darragh Fanning and Denis Hurley of Munster have been shortlisted for the IRUPA 3 Unsung Hero Award. You can have your say and vote for Denis on Twitter: @ThreeIrlRugby using the hashtag #3UnsungHero. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Following its introduction last year, when it was won by Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan, the Zurich Contribution to Society Award will be given to a player or former player who has made a significant impact to society outside of rugby.

Members of the public can now get involved by nominating their Powerscourt Hotel Rugby Moment of the Year via Twitter @PowerscourtHtl using the hashtag #PHMoment15.

Rugby fans across Ireland can again vote for their Supporters’ Player of the Year 2015 on Newstalk106-108fm.

The BNY Mellon Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2015 will be presented on the night and the 2015 BNY Mellon Hall of Fame recipient will be announced on May 5th.

For more information on the awards including all the new categories, see www.irupa.ie
For Awards updates, follow @IRUPA on Twitter or use the hashtag: #irupas2015


HIBERNIA COLLEGE IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Robbie Henshaw Connacht
Conor Murray Munster
Paul O’Connell Munster
Jonathon Sexton Ireland

NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
Jack Conan Leinster
Robbie Henshaw Connacht
Jack McGrath Leinster

VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2015
Craig Gilroy Ulster v Scarlets PRO12
Robbie Henshaw Ireland v England RBS Six Nations
Kieran Marmion Connacht v Leinster PRO12

HIBERNIA COLLEGE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2015
Chris Henry Ulster
Felix Jones Munster
Michael Swift Connacht

BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2015
Recipient to be announced on Tuesday 5th May 2015

POWERSCOURT HOTEL MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2015
Voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment15 the Rugby Moment of the Year will be unveiled at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 13th May 2015.

BNY MELLON WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
The recipient to be announced at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 13th May 2015.

BOARDMATCH IRELAND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY 2015
The award will be presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 13th May 2015.

3 UNSUNG HERO 2015
Callum Black Ulster
Darragh Fanning Leinster
Denis Hurley Munster
You can view and vote for the IRUPA 3 Unsung Hero on Twitter @ThreeIrlRugby using the hashtag #3UnsungHero. The winner will be announced at the 2015 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 13th May.

NEWSTALK106FM SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015
The Supporters’ Player of the Year as voted by listeners of Newstalk106fm will be announced at the IRUPA Awards on Wednesday 13th May 2015. Tune into Off the Ball from Monday 4th May to vote.