No surprise as Irish dominate Guinness awards

Wednesday 11 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > Ireland

The annual Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland awards have been announced and the winners come as no surprise.

Last week's Rugby Football Union celebrations of the centenary of Twickenham brought a preposterous list of the top ten players of the last century that included no fewer than seven Englishmen.

And this week was the turn of the Irish to give themselves a big pat on the back, although the results are admittedly less controversial.

Brian O'Driscoll might have faced competition for the player of the year prize from Lions captain Paul O'Connell - or even Tommy Bowe, the break-out performer on that tour - but a Heineken Cup winner's medal and leadership of Ireland to the Grand Slam ultimately meant there could be only one logical choice.

The national side's achievement secured the team of the year award, while Leinster were named club of the year for the European triumph.

However, the ceremonies haven't been the exclusive reserve of the Irish in the past, as Felipe Contepomi picked up the player's award in 2007.