PETER O’MAHONY, Andrew Trimble and Devin Toner have been announced as nominees for the 2014 Irish Rugby Union Players Association Player of the Year award.
The trio of players, who were pivotal figures in Ireland’s Six Nations success this season, will discover on 7 May who has emerged victorious after a vote by their fellow professionals.
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Munster captain O’Mahony was outstanding for club and country this season. He was Ireland’s best player in their opening two Six Nations victories and put in another dogged performance in Paris last month as Ireland beat France. He led Munster to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup but lasted only 19 minutes before a shoulder injury ended his playing involvement for the season.
Toner travelled with Ireland to North America last summer and was expected to cede a second row position to Mike McCarthy or Dan Tuohy for the November internationals. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, however, showed faith in a player that had always served him well at Leinster. That trust was richly rewarded as Toner was a key part of a dominant Irish line-out and his high tackle count showed he does not shirk work across the pitch. Aiming for consecutive league titles with Leinster.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Trimble is another player that has flourished at international level under the new coaching set-up. The Ulster winger scored Six Nations tries against Scotland and Italy and crossed for a first-half score in the title-winning victory over France. While his province was controversially defeated in the Heineken Cup, they are hoping to secure a Pro12 playoff spot.
O'Mahony, Trimble and Toner nominated for Irish players' Player of the Year
PETER O’MAHONY, Andrew Trimble and Devin Toner have been announced as nominees for the 2014 Irish Rugby Union Players Association Player of the Year award.
The trio of players, who were pivotal figures in Ireland’s Six Nations success this season, will discover on 7 May who has emerged victorious after a vote by their fellow professionals.
Munster captain O’Mahony was outstanding for club and country this season. He was Ireland’s best player in their opening two Six Nations victories and put in another dogged performance in Paris last month as Ireland beat France. He led Munster to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup but lasted only 19 minutes before a shoulder injury ended his playing involvement for the season.
Toner travelled with Ireland to North America last summer and was expected to cede a second row position to Mike McCarthy or Dan Tuohy for the November internationals. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, however, showed faith in a player that had always served him well at Leinster. That trust was richly rewarded as Toner was a key part of a dominant Irish line-out and his high tackle count showed he does not shirk work across the pitch. Aiming for consecutive league titles with Leinster.
Trimble is another player that has flourished at international level under the new coaching set-up. The Ulster winger scored Six Nations tries against Scotland and Italy and crossed for a first-half score in the title-winning victory over France. While his province was controversially defeated in the Heineken Cup, they are hoping to secure a Pro12 playoff spot.
Which player would get your vote?
Poll Results:
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