McFadden Wins Leinster Monthly Award

The Bank of Ireland Player of the Month award is voted for by the Leinster supporters and is a great way for them to recognise the commitment and achievements of one player each month.

Stephen Mason, Regional Manager Dublin, presented March’s winner Fergus McFadden with the award this week at Donnybrook.

McFadden said: “I’m surprised and delighted to be nominated by the supporters for this monthly award.

“I was happy to be playing over the last five or six weeks and I didn’t expect this honour and I’d like to thank all of those who voted for me, as well as Bank of Ireland who are great sponsors of the team.

“We have been playing well since the turn of the year and one of the most encouraging signs is that the whole squad are contributing.

“It’s a squad game now and we must have used upwards of 30 players since January and our Magners League form, coming off the Heineken Cup win over Clermont Auvergne last weekend, has been good.

“We have benefited from the strength in depth that has been created over the last couple of years and it doesn’t matter if they’re younger Academy players or more experienced guys – we all buy into the same desire to impress and perform.

“Over the last four games we have won by a combined 11 points which shows that we’re hanging in there and showing a bit of mettle.

“We know that we have to fight hard to win every single time we put on the shirt. While some people may feel that perhaps we haven’t found our best form and are sneaking results, it’s definitely better to be in the winning habit and showing that strength of character.”

Looking forward to resuming the Magners League against the Ospreys on Friday, he added: “The Ospreys are one of the most dangerous teams in Europe. They have strengths right across the park and if you look at their back-line they have international class in the likes of Tommy Bowe, James Hook and Shane Williams.

“Lee Byrne was on the Lions tour and did really well there which shows that they have pace and power and can hurt you if you give them space. They also have some serious players up front with the likes of Jerry Collins who is a big player for them in their pack.

“We know that it’s not going to be an easy game for us on Friday and we’ll need to be on our toes and approach the game in a positive manner.”

The 23-year-old McFadden has played in 14 of Leinster’s games this season but it was his outstanding performance in March that encouraged Leinster’s followers to nominate him for the award.

In the away game against the Cardiff Blues, which Leinster won, McFadden showed real character by putting an impressive 21 points on the scoreboard with the first try of the game, followed by two conversions and four penalties.

This was followed by an excellent performance in the home game against the Glasgow Warriors when he scored a try, two conversions and two penalties in front of an 11,000-strong crowd.

The voting lines are now open for the Bank of Ireland Leinster Player of the Month for April. To nominate a player from the four games this month, simply email information@leinsterrugby.ie detailing the player’s name and the reason why you are nominating them.

Everyone who enters is in with a chance to win will also be selected to win a €;100 gift voucher.