Argentina and Leinster outhalf Felipe Contepomi was honoured as the Player of the Year at the Rugby Writers of Ireland/Guinness awards in Dublin yesterday.
Short-listed for the IRB award, Contepomi was recognised for a series of outstanding performances for both Leinster and the Pumas, writes John O'Sullivan.
Shannon have made the Club of the Year pretty much their own preserve but it was Limerick neighbours Garryowen who deservedly won the accolade after a memorable treble of Munster Senior Cup, AIB Cup and All Ireland League titles.
The Dave Guiney Perpetual Cup, recognises an exceptional team performance and it pretty much encapsulates what the Ireland Under-20 squad achieved last season in winning the Grand Slam, beating England, France, Wales, Scotland and Italy: two of those countries fielded Under-21 teams making the achievement all the more laudable.
Ex-Irish internationals Ken Kennedy and Alan Duggan were inducted into the Guinness/Rugby Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame, while the Tom Rooney Memorial award for services to rugby went to 58 times capped former Ireland prop Phil Orr, highlighting not alone his playing days but his work in underage rugby, culminating in his managing of the Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winners.
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