Two Limerick-based players scoop prestigious AIL awards

TWO Limerick-based rugby players scooped top awards at the Ulster Bank League awards held at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night.

Young Munster hugely impressive second row Sean Duggan won the Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year for Munster, while Old Crescent back-row forward Brendan Guilfoyle was awarded the Ulster Bank Player of the Year for Division 2C.

Twenty five-year-old former St Munchin’s College player Duggan was hugely influential in Munsters’ engine room as the Clifford Park side reached the semi-final in Division 1 before eventually losing out to Cork Constitution.

Guilfoyle’s experience was a key factor in Crescent’s back-row as the Rosbrien side secured promotion to Division 2B for next season by winning Division 2C.

Young Munster hooker Ger Slattery lost out to Cork Con’s former UL-Bohs second row Conor Kindregan in the battle to win the Division 1A player of the Year accolade.

Winners of the provincial awards were decided by a public vote.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was on hand at the home of Irish Rugby to present the awards across all divisions of the Ulster Bank League.

The full list of award winners is:

Ulster Bank Player of the Year - Division 1A: Conor Kindregan, Cork Constitution

Ulster Bank Top Try Scorer - Division 1A: Mick McGrath, Clontarf

Ulster Bank Top Points Scorer - Division 1A: Scott Deasy, Lansdowne

Ulster Bank Rising Star of the Year - Division 1A: Joey Carbery, Clontarf

Ulster Bank Coach of the Year - Division 1A: Andy Wood, Clontarf

Ulster Bank Player of the Year - Division 1B: Angus Lloyd, Dublin University

Ulster Bank Player of the Year - Division 2A: Charlie O'Regan, UCC

Ulster Bank Player of the Year - Division 2B: Paddy O'Toole, Highfield

Ulster Bank Player of the Year - Division 2C: Brendan Guilfoyle, Old Cresent

Ulster Bank Club PRO of the Year: Robin McGloughlin & Marc Eadie, Banbridge

Ulster Bank Provincial Players of the Year - voted by the public through Ulster Bank Rugby Social Media

Connacht Player of the Year: Stephen Kerins, Sligo

Leinster Player of the Year: Bryan McKeever, Navan

Munster Player of the Year: Sean Duggan, Young Munster

Ulster Player of the Year: Aaron Cairns, Ballynahinch