ANDREW TRIMBLE AND Jack McGrath were the big winners at Ulster and Leinster’s end of season award functions. Both players received players’ player of the year prizes at separate Saturday evening events in Belfast and Dublin.
Trimble’s trophy cabinet will be straining under the pressure of trophies after the winger, who won his second Six Nations winners’ medal in March, took home three awards. He won player of the year, writers’ player of the year and the supporters’ best performer.
An Ulster spokesperson declared, “Andrew Trimble has had a remarkable season – both for Ulster and for Ireland. He has always been a fantastic performer but this year has raised his game to another, stellar level.”
Paddy Jackson was named young player of the year for Ulster while outgoing captain Johann Muller was declared personality of the year. The following citation, about Muller, was read out to rapturous applause: “He is an adopted Ulsterman, a commanding presence who quickly learned what it meant to wear the red hand and who became as passionate about bringing success to the province as any long-standing supporter.”
McGrath was named Leinster players’ player of the year. His impressive season has included a string of bruising performances in the Heineken Cup, league, and eight caps for Ireland.
Marty Moore was announced as Leinster’s best younger player while there were video tributes to a host of big names that will be departing the club in the off-season. They include Brian O’Driscoll, Leo Cullen, Greg Feek and Jono Gibbes.
Fair play Trimble had some season
McGrath has certainly had a good season and has played more than Healy this season, but it’s odd to have a clearly second choice player getting Player of the Year.
Trimble is awesome! Like O’Driscoll he has reinvented himself! Class!!!
Would they not wait till the season is actually over?