Rugby fans all across the island tuned into the first virtual All Ireland League Rugby Awards tonight to celebrate the 2019/20 season and honour the top award winners for this year.
- Brian Hayes from Cork Constitution awarded Men's AIL Player of the Year
- Kelvin Brown from Shannon RFC and Alana McInerney from UL Bohemian were the winners of the Men's and Women’s AIL Try of the Season
- Brian Hickey, Cork Constitution and Fiona Hayes from UL Bohemian awarded Men’s and Women's AIL Coach of the Year
- Award winners announced at the first AIL Virtual Rugby Awards, full list of award winners outlined below
In terms of provincial breakdown of wins, Munster were all celebrations, taking out seven of the fourteen awards including the AIL Men’s Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year and two Men’s Division Rising Star Awards.
The Men’s Player of the Year, Brian Hayes, finished the season as the joint-top try scorer in Division 1A this season and was part of a Cork Con side that were the only team across the five men’s divisions to go through the season undefeated. The Women’s Player of the Year, Hannah O'Connor, enjoyed a tremendous season for Blackrock College, winning her first cap for Ireland and kicking the most penalties of any player in the Women’s AIL.
The Try of the Year Awards were shortlisted and voted for by the fans to select their top try of the year. The Men’s Try of the Year votes came down to the wire with 568 votes for Kelvin Brown from Shannon RFC, closely followed by Conor O’Brien from Nenagh Ormond RFC with 528 votes. Kelvin’s try was awarded for an excellent team display of being able to read the game and keep the ball alive, his great step, ability to find space and spot the gap, allowing him to take full advantage and get through to score this epic try for Shannon RFC in their game against City of Armagh RFC.
The Women’s Try of the Year winner received even more public votes than the Men’s winner with a whopping 599 votes for Alana McInerney from UL Bohemian followed by Stephanie Nunan from UL Bohemian RFC with 402 votes. Alana’s try was described as displaying an importance of teamwork and positioning on the pitch, while always keeping an eye on the try line.
This year’s new and prestigious Positive Energy Award was awarded to two clubs, Railway Union RFC & Suttonians RFC from Dublin. The clubs embraced the positive energy mentality and set local club rivalries aside to collaborate and aim to stage the highest ever paid attendance at a Women’s All-Ireland League match.
Another new award on the night included the first ever Club Scene Award presented by The Club Scene Podcast. This award was presented to Ballynahinch RFC in Down for creating a real sense of community throughout all levels of rugby from the mini’s all the way up the seniors, going to all lengths to welcome visiting clubs in and always bringing a strong support crew to any games around the country.
Alongside the rugby awards, fans were treated to a full line up of entertainment with host and Irish comedian Mario Rosenstock sharing his impersonations of Michael D Higgins, Ronan O’Gara and Rory Best. As well as guest appearances from Irish Rugby Players Peter O’Mahony, Keith Earls, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour and Irish Rugby Coaches Andy Farrell, Adam Griggs, Richie Murphy and John Fogarty.
Commenting on the AIL Awards, Greg Barrett, Chairman of the IRFU Rugby Committee said: “On behalf of the IRFU, I would like to extend a hearty congratulations to the winner of each award, and my thanks to all at home who tuned in to this unique event."
Full list of AIL Awards winners include
AIL Player of the Year Awards
- Men's AIL Player of the Year - Brian Hayes, Cork Constitution
- Women's AIL Player of the Year - Hannah O'Connor, Blackrock College
AIL Coach of the Year Awards
- Men's AIL Coach of the Year - Brian Hickey, Cork Constitution
- Women's AIL Coach of the Year - Fiona Hayes, UL Bohemian
AIL Try of the Year Awards
- Men's AIL Try of the Season - Kelvin Brown, Shannon RFC
- Women's AIL Try of the Season - Alana McInerney, UL Bohemian
AIL Rising Star Awards
- Men's AIL Division 1a Rising Star - Jack Crowley, Cork Constitution
- Men's AIL Division 1b Rising Star - Pa Ryan, Shannon RFC
- Men's AIL Division 2a Rising Star - Michael Orr, Queens University
- Men's AIL Division 2b Rising Star - Oran McNulty, Galway Corinthians
- Men's AIL Division 2c Rising Star - Nick Doyle, Enniscorthy
- Women's AIL Rising Star - Neve Jones, Malone
AIL Positive Energy Award
- AIL Positive Energy Award - Railway Union RFC & Suttonians RFC
AIL Club Scene Award
- Club Scene Award – Ballynahinch
