Johns is chosen as `Player of the Year'

Paddy Johns, the Saracens and Ireland second row forward, has been named the Rugby Writers of Ireland/ Guinness "Player of the Year". Shannon, the AIB League champions, won the "Club of the Year" award.

Johns, who has played for Ireland at schools, under-21, under-25, A and B level, has won 41 caps at senior level, and has had an outstanding season for the national team. He was a member of the Saracens team that won the English Cup last Saturday and the club is still in line to complete the cup and league double.

Shannon, who won the AIB League for a record fourth successive season, have a remarkable record in the competition in that period: they won 44 of the 48 matches they played. This is the fourth successive season they have been named "Club of the Year".

A special award was made to the Ireland under-19 team for their outstanding achievement in winning the FIRA-IRB World Youth Championship in Toulouse last month.

The Tom Rooney Memorial Trophy, which was inaugurated in an association between the RWI and Guinness to honour the memory of the deceased RTE rugby commentator, was won by Padraic McGann, the honorary secretary of the Monivea club.

This trophy is for an outstanding contribution to Irish rugby at any level of the game. McGann has been an inspirational figure in bringing the game to an area of rural Ireland where rugby had not previously been played. The award is recognition for the success of the Monivea club on the field, their excellent facilities and for the manner in which the club has encouraged and nurtured youngsters who do not attend rugby-playing schools.

The awards to Johns, Shannon and the Ireland under-19 team were presented at a banquet in Dublin last night by Jim Stokes, the chairman of the Rugby Writers of Ireland and Brian Farrell, managing director of Guinness Ireland Subsidaries.

Harry McKibbin, manager of the Ireland under-19 team, received the award on behalf of his team. Tom Rooney junior, son of the late Tom senior, presented the Tom Rooney Memorial Award to McGann.