Elwood Voted Top Connacht Player Of All-Time

The survey also discovered that fans believe Pat Lam is the best Connacht Rugby coach. The former Samoa captain got 56% of the vote.

The poll, carried out by Connacht Rugby, named the province’s current skipper John Muldoon as the best forward of all-time.

In terms of fixtures, Connacht’s best win at the Sportsground was Munster on New Year’s Day this year. It garnered 43% of the votes while 23% said the home tie with Toulouse in October 2011 and 20% said the Harlequins victory in January 2012.

Asked who they would like at their dinner party, 30% want John Muldoon to attend. But if you want good looks, you will need Robbie Henshaw who was voted the best looking player in Connacht Rugby.

How far would they go to watch Connacht win a European Champions Cup? 40% would let big ‘Swifty’ (Michael Swift) tackle them. One quarter would dye their hair green. 18% would miss a sibling’s wedding and remarkably, 17% would wear a Munster jersey all year long!

Connacht Rugby revealed the poll results today in conjunction with the announcement of nominees for the 2014/15 Connacht Rugby Awards Night, taking place at the Radisson Galway on Saturday, May 16.

The annual event is a celebration of the year’s achievements with the Connacht squad and friends from around the province at all levels of the game – underage, clubs, schools, women’s and professional.

This year, Connacht supporters can vote for the Fans’ Player of the Year with Life Style Sports – voting will open later this week on their website.

There will also be an opportunity for fans to vote for their favourite Connacht Try of the Year through independent.ie with details to follow this week.

2014/15 CONNACHT RUGBY AWARDS NOMINATIONS –

CONNACHT U-18 SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cillian Gallagher (Summerhill Sligo)
Ryan Feehily (Sligo Grammar School)
Darog Smith (Sligo Grammar School)

CONNACHT U-18 CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Matthew Burke (Ballinrobe RFC)
Luke Carty (Buccaneers RFC)
Darragh Cummins (Sligo RFC)

CONNACHT U-19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR 

Peter Claffey
Daniel Trayers
Conan O’Donnell

CONNACHT U-20 PLAYER OF THE YEAR 

Rory Moloney
Ciaran Gaffney
Cian Romaine

CONNACHT WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Grainne Egan
Ciara O’Connor
Laura Feely

CONNACHT WOMEN’S CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Edel McMahon (NUIG RFC)
Amy Gerrity (Sligo RFC)
Emma Cleary (Galwegians RFC)

CONNACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR

Sligo RFC
Connemara RFC
Galwegians RFC

CONNACHT COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Purcell (CBS Roscommon)
Matt Brown (Galwegians RFC)
Eddie Walsh (Connemara RFC)

CONNACHT REFEREE OF THE YEAR

Karol Collins
Daniel Collins
David Connolly

CONNACHT JUNIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Coleman Maher (Monivea RFC)
Liam Scahill (Westport RFC)
Dave McDonagh (Connemara RFC)

CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Barry Lee (Galwegians RFC)
Martin Cummins (Galwegians RFC)
James Tormey (Buccaneers RFC)

CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ultan Dillane
Cian Romaine
Eoghan Masterson

CONNACHT RUGBY FORWARD OF THE YEAR

Denis Buckley
Tom McCartney
Aly Muldowney

CONNACHT RUGBY BACK OF THE YEAR

Matt Healy
Robbie Henshaw
Danie Poolman

The Players’ Player of the Year, Team Man of the Year, Hall of Fame inductee and Volunteer of the Year will also be named on the night or in the coming weeks.

The Connacht Rugby Awards Night will be the greatest social event of the rugby season in Connacht and all Connacht Rugby supporters are invited to come along. Tickets are on sale now.

Connacht Rugby Awards Night
Date: Saturday, May 16
Venue: Radisson Blu Galway
Time: 7.30pm – Drinks Reception followed by a three course meal with wine and live entertainment
Price: €;90 per ticket; €;900 per table of 10

For more information or to purchase your ticket/table, contact Eoin Hegarty at eoin.hegarty@connachtrugby.ie or call the Connacht Rugby reception desk on 091 561568.

Tickets can also be purchased from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground, College Road, Galway (opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).