It was a rip-roaring night at Newforge Country Club last night as the 6th Annual Front Row Union Awards took place with it’s usual celebration of all things rugby in Ulster.
Those recognised on the night were as follows.
The Front Row Union Player of the Year – Ruan Pienaar.
In our biggest poll ever Ruan registered 341 votes out of a total of 2,505 votes cast, a fitting tribute to his match winning composure throughout the season. Don’t need to add any more ours is just one of a long list of awards that Pienaar has won this year.
We’ll be donating £200 to Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Children on behalf of Ruan.
The Front Row Union Club Player of the Year – Michael Rainey, Dungannon RFC.
Lots of rising young stars coming through at Dungannon with plenty making the headlines for their club and province, but there was one player who was the model of consistency and committment throughout their season and that was second row Michael Rainey.
When you are doing photography at a match you sometimes miss the contribution of players like Rainey as you snap away trying to keep up with the pace of the game. It’s when you get home and work through the match pictures that you see the players that do the real work, hitting the ruck, making the tackle, supporting the ball and Rainey was the player who kept appearing in the pictures more than anyone else. A huge contribution to Dungannon’s successful season.
The Front Row Union Schools Cup Player of the Season – Ryan McGonigle, Belfast High.
Another exciting season of Schools Cup rugby as the schools continue to develop plenty of players for the Ulster Academy.
Ross Adair at Sullivan Upper, Jonny Holmes at Ballyclare High and Chris Farell at Campbell all featured strongly throughout the Cup, but it was Belfast High’s Ryan McGonigle who was my stand out player as he dragged the High School through the opening rounds of the competition. A ball carrying No 8, with a bit of a rugby brain, McGonigle always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to make the tackle or blast over the line, inspiring his team as they enjoyed their cup run.
The Front Row Union Women’s Player of the Year – Nikki Caughey, Belfast Harlequins.
Some of the most enjoyable rugby I watched this season was in the Women’s game and the delightfully skilful Nikki Caughey of Belfast Harlequins was one of the main reasons.
Great hands, and a step of both feet, Caughey not only has a wonderfully attacking game but she does the hard work as well, putting in some crunching tackles in defence. Has the potential to go all the way in the Women’s game.
There was of course the usual raft of “novelty” prizes with the awards for “Fan with the Most Understanding Wife”, “Biggest Disaster” and “Best Legs” all hotly contested but special mention for the “Best Aussie in Ulster Award” which went to Ulster Women’s manager Natalie Bryant for all the hard work she has put into the Women’s game at Ulster and Belfast Harlequins over the years.
A raffle, for an Ulster shirt, provided by Kukri and signed by the Ulster Women’s team from the game earlier that day against Leinster, was a big success raising an addition sum in excess of £200 for Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Children. Thanks to all who contributed.
The raffle winner was Ricky Kelly of Larne, and believe me it couldn’t have went to a better home!
Corrections, comments or questions?