Top award for D'Arcy again

IRUPA awards:Gordon D'Arcy's status as one of the players of the decade in Irish rugby was reaffirmed last night when he became the first man to receive the players' player of the year for a second time in the five-year history of the Irish Rugby Union Players Association awards.

The Leinster and Ireland centre was honoured at the IRUPA's annual banquet at UCD last night and among the recipients was Shane Horgan, who received the try of the year award for the second year running for scoring against England at Croke Park.

D'Arcy saw off the challenges of David Wallace and John Hayes, who with Trevor Hogan also lost out in the unsung hero category to Leinster flanker Stephen Keogh.

" . . . to receive this recognition from the people you play with and, more importantly, the people who play against you is a serious honour," said D'Arcy.

He conceded his award is in part due to the work of those he plays alongside as well as his back-up teams at Leinster and Ireland. "Rugby is not like other games such as soccer. You can't always bounce back straight away from injuries and being free from injuries is a huge source of confidence. We are looked after very well in Ireland and the expanded pre-season has had a very positive effect in the last few years."

While agreeing that the 2006-'07 season has "gone reasonably well from a personal point of view", he also admits while a Triple Crown, runners-up in the Six Nations and a Heineken European Cup quarter-final with Leinster would have constituted a relatively successful campaign in latter years, "we're all a little bit disappointed with this season. But if we were to win a Magners League then that would be a step forward." To that end, he and the other Leinster players would have been acutely mindful of the league meeting away to the in-form Ospreys tomorrow evening.

Luke Fitzgerald won the newcomer of the year award, Victor Costello was inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame, and the recipient of the special merit award was the ex-Wanderers player Garrett Culliton, who was paralysed playing in 1992 and has responded by competing in a host of marathons as well as the special Olympics and world championships.

Connacht are poised to sign Trev Ofisa, a younger brother of their player of the season, Ray, who has been a huge success since arriving last autumn. Trev Ofisa is a powerful 6ft 4ins winger who has been outstanding for Samoa in the IRB World Sevens this season.

Stade Francais star Juan Martin Hernandez claims Leicester have offered him the chance to link up with his national coach Marcelo Loffreda at Welford Road next season. Argentina boss Loffreda has been confirmed as Tigers' coach, taking over from Pat Howard after the World Cup in France later this year.Hernandez has revealed what is thought to be a significant six-figure interest from the European Cup finalists.

Hernandez is unsettled at Stade Francais, where he wants to play outhalf in competition with David Skrela and Lionel Beauxis, rather than his current full-back role.

2007 IRUPA AWARD WINNERS

Players' Player of the Year: Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster); Nominated: John Hayes, David Wallace (both Munster).

Unsung Hero: Stephen Keogh (Leinster); Nominated: John Hayes, Trevor Hogan (Leinster).

Hall of Fame: Victor Costello (Leinster).

Try of the Year: Shane Horgan, Ireland v England; Nominated: Simon Easterby, Italy v Ireland; Stephen Keogh, Leinster v Gloucester.

Newcomer of the Year: Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster); Nominated: Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Daniel Riordan (Connacht).

Special Merit: Garrett Culliton.