Writers' awards: Cork Constitution, Munster and Ireland outhalf Ronan O'Gara was named Guinness-Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year last night at a reception in a Dublin hotel. Shannon won the club of the year award, in recognition of a phenomenal season even by the Limerick club's standards that included the AIB League Division One title.
Fr Michael Shiel was the recipient of the Tom Rooney Memorial Award, presented for an exceptional contribution to Irish rugby. Two new members were inducted into the Guinness Hall of Fame, legendary centre Mike Gibson (NIFC, Ulster, Ireland, Lions) and Michael Carroll (Terenure College).
O'Gara scored all 17 points when Ireland beat South Africa 17-12 on November 13th, 2004, the national side's first win over the Springboks since 1965. He contributed all 21 points when Ireland beat Argentina a fortnight later.
He was an ever present in the Six Nations series and scored 14 points in Ireland's 19-13 win over England. He played a major part in helping Munster to win the Celtic Cup and in the summer was a member of the Lions squad in New Zealand, earning his Test cap in the final Test.
It is the second time he has won the award, a feat achieved by only one other player.
Fr Michael Shiel enjoyed a long distinguished association with the game at schools level, Mungret, Gonzaga, Belvedere and in particular Clongowes Wood College. He coached the Kildare school to success in the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup in 1978, their first win in the competition since 1926.
When the IRFU appointed a panel of Irish staff coaches well over 30 years ago, Fr Shiel was one of those appointed. His contribution through the years has been immense.
Shannon won their seventh All-Ireland League Division One title and also claimed the Munster Senior Cup for a record sixth consecutive season, the Munster Senior League and the Limerick Charity Cup.
In the hall of fame category Michael Carroll, a stalwart of Terenure College rugby club, proved an outstanding administrator at both provincial and national levels. He was the first Terenure man to be elected as president of the Leinster Branch (1973-74) and became president of the IRFU (1994-95) when Ireland won the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship that season.
The other recipient is Gibson, arguably Ireland's greatest ever player.
Educated at Campbell College, Trinity College Dublin and Cambridge University, Gibson won the first of the 69 international caps against England in Twickenham in 1964.
He was an outstanding talent in a career that spanned 16 seasons. He toured with the Lions on five occasions making 12 Test appearances. His performances on the 1971 Lions tour to New Zealand were breathtaking and revered by his knowledgeable hosts.
He was a member of the Ireland side that beat Australia in Sydney in 1967 and played in both Tests when Ireland won the series 2-0 in Australia in 1979, and became the first European country to win a Test series in the Southern Hemisphere. He retired after the tour with 69 caps, a then World record and still a record for an Irish back, scoring 115 points for his country.
Kieran Rooney, vice-chairman of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, and Michael Whelan of Guinness presented the trophies to the award winners.
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