Bowe takes prestigious award

RUGBY/IRUPA AWARDS 2010:TOMMY BOWE was last night named as the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players' Player of the Year at the eighth annual awards ceremony. It is the second time in three years Bowe has been chosen by his fellow players for this accolade, having won it in 2008, while among the other awards, Connacht's Fionn Carr was voted as the IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player of the Year.

Bowe was chosen from a shortlist which also included Jamie Heaslip and Keith Earls, and like Heaslip he was both a standout performer on the Lions tour and been one of the few to carry on that form almost uninterrupted this season.

His game has evolved in the last two seasons with the Ospreys, where he has recently signed a new contract extension, having occasionally been chosen at centre as well as his customary position on the wing.

A true heads-up rugby player, he continues to augment his passing, offloading and support play with a high strike rate.

Bowe is the leading try scorer in the Heineken Cup with seven in seven games (and has 14 in 20 games all told this season for the Ospreys) as well as four in seven games for Ireland, including three in the Six Nations.

“This is the second time I’ve received this Players’ Player award and I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Bowe last night.

“It’s great to be recognised by the other players especially when you’re playing overseas.”

Carr’s strike rate is all the more remarkable given he has accounted for virtually 50 per cent of Connacht’s tries in the last two seasons with 25 touchdowns since joining from Leinster.

Andrew Trimble of Ulster picked up the IRUPA Volkswagen Try of the Year award for his try against Bath in the Heineken Cup and Leinster’s John Fogarty collected the IRUPA Nokia Unsung Hero Award.

Joining Ireland’s heroes in the IRUPA Hall of Fame was Leinster legend, Girvan Dempsey.

Jamie Heaslip was also awarded the IRUPA Supporters’ Player of the Year, voted for by listeners of Newstalk 106-108fm.

Niall Woods, CEO of IRUPA said: “Winning an IRUPA award is the highest honour a player can receive.

“The winners can take great pride in knowing that they have the total respect of those who they play with and against.

“Congratulations to all those nominated and in particular to Tommy, Andrew, Fionn, John, Jamie and Girvan in winning what are the most sought-after awards in Irish rugby.”

Bord Gáis Energy Players' Player of the Year: Winner: Tommy Bowe, Ulster. Nominations: Tommy Bowe, Ospreys; Keith Earls, Munster; Jamie Heaslip, Leinster.

Nokia Unsung Hero of the Year: Winner:John Fogarty, Leinster. Nominations John Fogarty, Leinster; Chris Henry, Ulster; Michael Swift, Connacht.

Nature Valley Young Player of the Year:Winner: Fionn Carr, Connacht. Nominations: Fionn Carr, Connacht; Scott Deasy, Munster; Keith Earls Munster.

Bord Gáis Energy Hall of Fame: Inducted:Girvan Dempsey Leinster.

Volkswagen Try of Year: Winner:Andrew Trimble, Bath v Ulster, Heineken Cup. Nominations: Fionn Carr, Leinster v Connacht, Magner's League; Brian O'Driscoll, Leinster v Brive, Heineken Cup; Andrew Trimble Bath v Ulster, Heineken Cup.

Bord Gáis Energy Rugby Supporters' Player of the Year:(Voted for by listeners of NewsTalk106-108FM): Jamie Heaslip, Leinster.