ERIC ELWOOD VOTED TOP CONNACHT RUGBY PLAYER OF ALL TIME
Connacht fans reveal their favourites in poll as province announce Award nominations
Eric Elwood is the top Connacht player of all time, a recent survey of Connacht Rugby fans has revealed. Elwood, a former player and coach, received 57% of that vote and he also received the accolade for the best back of all time. The survey also discovered that fans believe Pat Lam is the best Connacht Rugby coach. The Samoan got 56% of the vote.
The poll, carried out by Connacht Rugby, named current captain John Muldoon the best forward of all time.
In terms of fixtures, Connacht’s best win at the Sportsground was Munster on New Year’s Day this year. It garnered 43% of the votes while 23% said the home tie with Toulouse in October 2011 and 20% said the Harlequins victory in January 2012.
Asked who they would like at their dinner party, 30% want John Muldoon to attend. But if you want good looks, you’ll need Robbie Henshaw, who was voted the best looking player in Connacht Rugby.
How far would they go to watch Connacht win a European Champions Cup? 40% would let big ‘Swifty’ (Michael Swift) tackle them. One quarter would dye their hair green. 18% would miss a sibling’s wedding and remarkably, 17% would wear a Munster jersey all year long!
Connacht Rugby revealed the poll results today in conjunction with the announcement of nominees for its 2014/15 Awards Night, taking place at the Radisson Galway on Saturday May 16th.
The annual event is a celebration of the year’s achievements with the Connacht squad and friends from around the province at all levels of the game – Underage, Club, Schools, Women’s and Professional.
This year, supporters can vote for the Fans’ Player of the Year with Life Style Sports – voting will open later this week on their website.
There will also be an opportunity for fans to vote for their favourite Connacht Try of the Year through independent.ie with details to follow this week.
2015/16 AWARDS NOMINATIONS
CONNACHT U18 SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cillian Gallagher, Summerhill Sligo
Ryan Feehily, Sligo Grammar School
Darog Smith, Sligo Grammar School
CONNACHT U18 CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Matthew Burke, Ballinrobe RFC
Luke Carty, Buccaneers RFC
Darragh Cummins, Sligo RFC
CONNACHT U19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Peter Claffey
Daniel Trayers
Conan O’Donnell
CONNACHT U20 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rory Moloney
Ciaran Gaffney
Cian Romaine
CONNACHT WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Grainne Egan
Ciara O’Connor
Laura Feely
CONNACHT WOMEN’S CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Edel McMahon, NUIG RFC
Amy Gerrity, Sligo RFC
Emma Cleary, Galwegians RFC
CONNACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR
Sligo RFC
Connemara RFC
Galwegians RFC
CONNACHT COACH OF THE YEAR
Dave Purcell, CBS Roscommon
Matt Brown, Galwegians RFC
Eddie Walsh, Connemara RFC
CONNACHT REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Karol Collins
Daniel Collins
David Connolly
CONNACHT JUNIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Coleman Maher, Monivea RFC
Liam Scahill, Westport RFC
Dave McDonagh, Connemara RFC
CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Lee, Galwegians RFC
Martin Cummins, Galwegians RFC
James Tormey, Buccaneers RFC
CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ultan Dillane
Cian Romaine
Eoghan Masterson
CONNACHT RUGBY FORWARD OF THE YEAR
Denis Buckley
Tom McCartney
Aly Muldowney
CONNACHT RUGBY BACK OF THE YEAR
Matt Healy
Robbie Henshaw
Danie Poolman
The Players’ Player of the Year, Team Man of the Year, Hall of Fame inductee and Volunteer of the Year will also be named on the night or in the coming weeks.
The Connacht Rugby Awards Night will be the greatest social event of the rugby season in Connacht and we invite all Connacht Rugby supporters to join us. Tickets are ON SALE now.
Connacht Rugby Awards Night
DATE: Saturday, 16th May
VENUE: Radisson Blu Galway
TIME: 7.30pm – Drinks Reception followed by a three course meal with wine and live entertainment
PRICE: €90 per ticket; €900 per table of 10
For more information or to purchase your ticket/table, contact Eoin Hegarty at eoin.hegarty@connachtrugby.ie or call the Connacht Rugby reception desk on 091 561 568.
Tickets can also be purchased from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground, College Road, Galway (opening hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).