BT IRUPA Awards

The greatest rugby talent in Ireland attended the 4th Annual BT IRUPA Rugby Player's Awards Dinner at The Burlington Hotel last night. A Heineken drinks reception preceded the dinner and awards, which are voted for by the players themselves.

Hosted by Craig Doyle, the ceremony saw five awards presented in the
presence of some of the game's best known names including Brian O'Driscoll (who brought along the Triple crown Trophy), Gordan D'Arcy, Felipe Contepomi, Anthony Foley and Ronan O'Gara.

Categories and winners were:

IRUPA Green Giant Newcomer of the Year – Andrew Trimble
IRUPA Tyrone Crystal Try of the Year – Shane Horgan
IRUPA Club Energise Sport Unsung Hero Award – Neil Best
IRUPA Hooke & MacDonald Hall of Fame Award – Jeremy Davidson
BT IRUPA Players Player of the Year Award – Paul O’Connell

Among the 700 guests were MC for the evening Risteard Cooper, former Miss Ireland Yvonne Ellard, comedian Barry Murphy, Kim Murphy, Justin Fitzpatrick, Michael O’Leary and HRM’s Rachel O’Sullivan.

As one female guest explained “it was a ballroom full of testosterone”. And a single girls dream no doubt!