Dempsey Joins IRUPA Hall Of Fame

Girvan Dempsey will join other Irish rugby greats such as Mick Galwey, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys and Keith Wood in the IRUPA Hall of Fame.

Educated at Terenure College, Dempsey won his first Ireland senior cap as a replacement against Georgia in November 1998 and made an immediate impact, scoring two tries.

A former Ireland Under-21 and ‘A’ cap, Dempsey’s senior career will probably be most remembered for his try in the left corner at Twickenham in 2004 which helped Ireland on their way to securing their first Triple Crown since 1985.

Capped for his country 82 times, Dempsey played in two Rugby World Cups and was part of the Ireland team that won Triple Crowns in 2004, 2006 and 2007, the latter season including a memorable try against England at Croke Park.

He made his debut for Leinster back in September 1996 and has been capped 174 times for the province.

His achievements with Leinster also include the inaugural Celtic League title in 2001, a Magners League title in 2008 and he played an important role in Leinster winning their first Heineken Cup last season.

On hearing of his induction, Dempsey, who will retire at the end of the season, said: “I am honoured to be accepting this award and joining the former players already inducted into the Bord Gais Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame.

“This award means an awful lot to me especially as it comes from players I played with and against during my career.”

David Bunworth, MD of Bord Gais Energy, commented: “Girvan Dempsey has been a fantastic contributor to the game of rugby at every level. He has given us some wonderful memories and been involved in some marvellous sporting moments.

“I would like to wish him all the very best in his retirement and his induction into the Bord Gais Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to his playing career.”

The Bord Gais Energy IRUPA Awards take place at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on Wednesday, May 12.

2010 BORD GAIS ENERGY IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR –

Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)

2010 IRUPA NOKIA UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR –

John Fogarty (Leinster)
Chris Henry (Ulster)
Michael Swift (Connacht)

2010 IRUPA NATURE VALLEY YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR – 

Fionn Carr (Connacht)
Scott Deasy (Munster)
Keith Earls (Munster)

2010 IRUPA VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR – 

Fionn Carr (Leinster v Connacht, Magners League)
Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster v Brive, Heineken Cup)
Andrew Trimble (Bath v Ulster, Heineken Cup)

O2 IRUPA TEAM OF THE DECADE (2000-2009) –

Team announced at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 12

2010 BORD GAIS ENERGY SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR – 

The Supporters’ Player of the Year, as voted by listeners of Newstalk106-108FM, will be announced at the Bord Gais Energy IRUPA Awards