It hasn’t quite been a vintage year for Irish rugby but Irish teams have still been responsible for some pretty good tries, like these efforts from Craig Gilroy, Iain Henderson and Simon Zebo.
All three have been put forward for the IRUPA Try of the Year award after the nominations for the various categories were revealed this morning.
Players across the four provinces all cast their votes and deemed that Gilroy’s touchdown against Argentina in the November Internationals, Zebo’s effort against Wales in the opening game of the Six Nations and Henderson’s effort in the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens were a cut above the rest.
Chances are you remember them anyway, but they’re always worth at least one more look, so remind yourself why exactly they’re up for the award below.
Craig Gilroy v Argentina
Simon Zebo v Wales
Iain Henderson v Saracens
Elsewhere, Zebo was nominated alongside Cian Healy and Ulster’s Nick Williams for the IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year award, while Robbie Henshaw, Ian Madigan and Luke Marshall were nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, which has been named after the late Nevin Spence, who died in a tragic accident late last year.
Supporters can vote for their own Player of the Year by voting through the Off the Ball show on Newstalk from April 29 and will be in with a chance to attend the ceremony in the Burlington Hotel on May 8.
2013 IRUPA AWARDS NOMINATIONS:
HIBERNIA COLLEGE IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Nick Williams (Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Munster)
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Ian Madigan (Leinster)
Luke Marshall (Ulster)
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR:
Craig Gilroy, Ireland v Argentina, Autumn Series
Iain Henderson, Saracens v Ulster, Heineken Cup
Simon Zebo, Ireland v Wales, RBS 6 Nations
HIBERNIA COLLEGE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE:
Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Chris Henry (Ulster)
Marcus Horan (Munster)
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME:
Recipient to be announced on Wednesday, May 1
O2 UNSUNG HERO:
You can view and vote for the IRUPA O2 Unsung Hero on Twitter @O2IrlRugby using the hashtag #O2UnsungHero. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 8.
NEWSTALK106-108FM SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
The Supporters’ Player of the Year, as voted by listeners of Newstalk106-108fm, will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 8. Tune in to ‘Off the Ball’ from Monday, April 29 to vote.
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