RUGBY: Shortlist revealed for Ulster Bank League Awards 2016

By The Newsroom
Published 16th May 2016, 10:39 BST
Updated 16th May 2016, 11:41 BST
Bobby Stewart, President IRFU Ulster Branch, on behalf of City of Derry R.F.C., presents the Ken Goodall Outstanding Club Player of the Year Award to Rodger McBurney from BallymenaBobby Stewart, President IRFU Ulster Branch, on behalf of City of Derry R.F.C., presents the Ken Goodall Outstanding Club Player of the Year Award to Rodger McBurney from Ballymena
Bobby Stewart, President IRFU Ulster Branch, on behalf of City of Derry R.F.C., presents the Ken Goodall Outstanding Club Player of the Year Award to Rodger McBurney from Ballymena
Local players and a PRO from five Ulster clubs will battle it out for the top awards when they line out at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday (May 18) alongside club rugby stars, coaches and PROs from Connacht, Leinster and Munster in the 2016 Ulster Bank League Awards.

The awards, which first began in the 2012/2013 season, recognise and celebrate the dedication and commitment shown by players, coaches and teams across all Ulster Bank League Divisions. They will once again be presented by Irish international coach, Joe Schmidt who will be joined by former Ireland, Lions and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris.

The return of the awards comes on the back of Ulster Bank’s announcement earlier this year that they will remain title sponsors of the All-Ireland League and Official Community Rugby Partner to the IRFU until 2018.

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The Ulster Bank League Awards have become an established event in the rugby calendar with a number of winners and nominees from the past years making the transfer to professional rugby. These include Leinster Academy and Lansdowne player Cian Kelleher who has made six appearances for Leinster to date with a move to Connacht on the cards. Also former Ballynahinch RFC player Ross Adair, a 2015 Rising Star and Ulster Player of the Year nominee who spent time with Ulster and has completed a first season with Jersey.

Local names featured on the shortlist are Ballymena’s Rodger McBurney who is a finalist in the Division 1B Player of the Year and won the Ulster Rugby Awards, Club Player of the Year Trophy on Thursday evening (12 May). Rodger’s colleague David Whann is shortlisted in the Ulster Player of the Year category. Callum Leckey (Belfast Harlequins), Aaron Cairns (Ballynahinch) and David Houston (City of Derry) are also included in the Ulster Player of the Year shortlist.

City of Derry player Andrew Semple features on the Division 2B Player of the Year whilst Banbridge PRO Robin McGloughlin is shortlisted in the Ulster Bank PRO of the Year category.

Ahead of the Wednesday’s Awards evening Ulster Bank rugby ambassador Stephen Ferris said: “This is the first year I have been involved in the Ulster Bank League Awards and I am really looking forward to them. The Division 1A final between Clontarf and Cork Con at The Aviva showcased some top level rugby demonstrating the importance of club rugby for the development of the sport in Ireland.

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“It is fantastic to see players rewarded, across all divisions, for their ongoing commitment and dedication throughout the season and all those who have been nominated should be very proud of themselves.”

Shortlist of Ulster Bank League Awards as follows:

Division 1A Player of the year

Nominees: Mick McGrath (Clontarf), Ger Slattery (Young Munster), Conor Kindregan (Cork Constitution)

Division 1A Young Player of the year

Nominees: Joey Carbery (Clontarf), Peader Timmins (UCD), Gearoid Lyons (Young Munster)

Division 1A Coach of the year

Nominees: Andy Wood (Clontarf), Bobby Byrne (UCD) , David Corkery (Young Munster)

Division 1B Player of the year

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Nominees: Sean Kearns (St Mary’s), Angus Lloyd (Dublin Uni/Trinity), Rodger McBurney (Ballymena)

Division 2A Player of the year

Nominees: Charlie O’Regan (UCC), Paul Tolofua (Naas), Ross McAuley (Skerries)

Division 2B Player of the year

Nominees: Paddy O’Toole (Highfield), Cyprian Jouve (Sundays Well), Andrew Semple (Derry)

Division 2C Player of the year

Nominees: Brendan Guilfoyle (Old Crescent), Tony Cahill (Bruff), Matt Cosgrave (Sligo)

Ulster Bank PRO of the Year

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Nominees: Maurice Davin (St. Mary’s), Robin McGloughlin (Banbridge), Billy Browne (Old Wesley)

Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year – Across all UBL divisions (Public Vote)

Munster Nominees

Sean Duggan (Young Munster)

Ed Leamy (Cashel)

Ger Sweeney (Cork Con)

Dan McCabe (Kanturk)

Leinster Nominees

Max McFarland (Dublin Uni/Trinity)

Brian McKeever (Navan)

Barry Daly (UCD)

Danny Riordan (Old Belvedere)

Ulster Nominees

David Houston (City of Derry)

David Whann (Ballymena)

Callum Lecky (Belfast Harlequins)

Aaron Cairns (Ballynahinch)

Connacht Nominees

Rory Moloney (Buccaneers)

David Panter (Corinthians)

John Cleary (Galwegians)

Stephen Kerins (Sligo)

Award winners will also be announced in the following categories:

1. Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 1A

2. Ulster Bank Top Try Scorer – Division 1A

3. Ulster Bank Top Points Scorer – Division 1A

4. Ulster Bank Rising Star of the Year Award – Division 1A

5. Ulster Bank Coach of the Year – Division 1A

6. Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 1B

7. Ulster Bank Player of the Year – Division 2A

8. Ulster Player of the Year – Division 2B

9. Ulster Player of the Year – Division 2C

10. Ulster Bank Club PRO (Public Relations Officer) of the Year

11. Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year – voted by the public through Ulster Bank Rugby Social Media

Related topics:RugbyUlster