Munster and Ireland lock forward Paul O'Connell has been named Guinness rugby writers of Ireland player-of-the-year and will receive his award at a luncheon in the Killiney Castle Hotel on Wednesday next, November 1 2006.
Shannon RFC has, once again, has been voted club-of-the-year and the Tom Rooney award, for making an exceptional contribution to the game over a substantial number of years, goes to former noted referee Kevin Kelleher, Hon. Secretary of the Schools Section of the Leinster Branch, IRFU, for over 50 years.
A new award, the rugby writers of Ireland Dave Guiney award for the team-of-the- year goes to Munster, in recognition of their defeat of Biarritz in the final of the European Cup.
Two new members of the Hall of Fame will be inducted, Willie John McBride and his formidable second row partner for several years, Mick Molloy.