Bowe Scoops Bord Gáis Energy Players' Player 2010

Ireland and Ospreys winger, Tommy Bowe, was last night voted the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow players at the eighth annual Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Awards. This is the second time Bowe has been honoured with the top accolade having won it in 2008. Connacht's Fionn Carr was also among those recognised tonight when he was awarded the IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player of the Year.

Tommy was delighted with the award commenting: "This is the second time I've received this Players' Player award and I'm absolutely thrilled, it's great to be recognised by the other players especially when you're playing overseas."

Andrew Trimble of Ulster picked up the IRUPA Volkswagen Try of the Year 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 Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame was Leinster legend, Girvan Dempsey. Jamie Heaslip was also awarded the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Supporters' Player of the Year, voted for by listeners of Newstalk106-108 fm.

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 Girv in winning what are the most sought after awards in Irish rugby."

Commenting on tonight's awards David Bunworth, MD of Bord Gáis Energy said: "Over recent years, we have seen the emergence of some world class players in Irish rugby and Tommy is a true example of this. I would like to extend my congratulations to him and all the other players who have been honoured here tonight."

"Our rugby players have achieved a massive amount in the last few years, making it one of the great eras of Irish rugby, and the sport has a very bright future ahead. I'd like to acknowledge the great work IRUPA does in promoting and protecting the welfare of our players and it is testament to the organisation that so many greats of the game have turned out to support these awards tonight."

For more information, please contact:

Sara Jane English
IRUPA
Tel: +353 1 676 9680 / +353 86 853 2970
Email: sarajane.english@IRUPA.ie

Stiofain MacDhaibhead
Bord Gáis Energy
Tel: +353 1 602 1116 / 087 799 1206
smacdhai@bordgais.ie
www.bordgaisenergysupply.ie

Claire Turvey
Pembroke Communications
Tel: 01 649 6312 / 087 983 4851
claire@pembrokecomms.ie

Notes to editors

Award winners are as follows:

Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players' Player Of The Year 2010

Winner: 
Tommy Bowe Ulster
   
Nominations:  
Tommy BoweOspreys
Keith EarlsMunster
Jamie HeaslipLeinster

IRUPA Nokia Unsung Hero Of The Year 2010

Winner:  
John FogartyLeinster
   
Nominations:  
John Fogarty Leinster
Chris HenryUlster
Michael SwiftConnacht

IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player Of The Year 2010

Winner:  
Fionn CarrConnacht
   
Nominations:  
Fionn Carr Connacht
Scott DeasyMunster
Keith EarlsMunster

Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Hall Of Fame 2010

Inducted:  
Girvan DempseyLeinster

IRUPA Volkswagen Try Of Year 2010

Winner:  
Andrew Trimble Bath v Ulster, Heineken Cup
   
Nominations:  
Fionn CarrLeinster v Connacht, Magner's League
Brian O'DriscollLeinster v Brive, Heineken Cup
Andrew TrimbleBath v Ulster, Heineken Cup

Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Rugby Supporters' Player Of The Year Voted For By Listeners of Newstalk106-108fm.

Jamie Heaslip Leinster

O2 IRUPA Team Of The Decade 2000-2009

Team announced at the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 12th May 2010

IRUPA

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