Beirne And Dalton Lead List Of Rugby Players Ireland Award Winners

A cornerstone for both Munster and Ireland, Beirne was recognised by his fellow players as the OCC Consulting Men’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year for 2025.

An increasingly influential figure for both province and country, the Kildare man was nominated for the award alongside Tom Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Ireland captain Caelan Doris.

Recently called up for his second British & Irish Lions tour, Beirne was absent on the night as Munster prepare to take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks this weekend in South Africa. He spoke via video link after being announced as the award winner.

Beirne commented: “I’m honoured to be named as the OCC Consulting Men’s Players’ Player of the Year. It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom, and Jamison have all had brilliant seasons.

“To be chosen by my fellow Rugby Players Ireland members makes this award even more meaningful, and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgement.”

Meanwhile, talented young centre Dalton was presented with the OCC Consulting Women’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year award following a hugely impactful 2024/25 season in Ireland’s midfield.

At just 22, the Leinster and Ireland star has already established herself as a key player for Scott Bemand’s charges who are set to up the ante ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England later this year.

Reacting to her senior award win, Dalton, who was the Young Player of the Year in 2023, said:

It’s a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players. To be recognised by them at such a crucial time for this team is hard to put into words.

“When I first came into camp, I could sense that something was beginning to build, and I think we have started to see the fruits of that over recent months both collectively and individually, through the performances of my fellow nominees, Amee-Leigh (Costigan), Niamh (O’Dowd), and Dorothy (Wall).”

Many of the biggest names in Irish Rugby were present for the Aviva Stadium event, as former players Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble reflected on an eventful campaign, on and off the field.

Having made a try-scoring return to international action following two ACL injuries and the birth of her son Caolán, Eimear Considine announced her retirement during the season.

To mark both her Irish sporting legacy and longstanding contribution to mental wellbeing discourse in Ireland, Considine was presented with the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society award as Tackle Your Feelings kicked off its ten-year anniversary celebrations.

Another player to make a comeback this season was Dan Sheehan, who picked up from where he left off upon his return with a powerful score against England for which he took home the MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men’s 15s Try of the Year award.

Anna McGann was the winner in the AIB Corporate Banking Women’s 15s Try of the Year category, having finished off a sweeping team effort against Italy to claim a memorable hat-trick on the day.

Having been unfortunately ruled out of this year’s Rugby World Cup, Erin King was given a morale boost by her team-mates who voted her as their Energia Women’s 15ss Young Player of the Year. It follows her World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award win last November.

Meanwhile, Leinster and Ireland out-half Sam Prendergast was announced as the Nevin Spence Men’s 15ss Young Player of the Year. Connacht captain Cian Prendergast, a previous winner, was on hand to present the award to his younger brother.

Further accolades were presented on the night to Dylan O’Grady, the TritonLake Men’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year, and Lucinda Kinghan, the TritonLake Women’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year.

The Ireland Men’s Triple Crown success was selected as the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year, with skipper Doris closing out the evening by accepting the award on behalf of his team-mates.

Rugby Players Ireland Executive Board Member, Iain Henderson, said: “While this season has brought its share of challenges both on and off the field, it’s also been a year marked by plenty of individual standout achievements across the game.

“It’s important that we celebrate them and use this as an opportunity to look ahead with real optimism. There’s still work to do, but through the support of Rugby Players Ireland, the steps being taken show a collective commitment to moving the game forward.”

Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, added: “A Rugby Players Ireland award represents the highest individual accolade a player can receive in our game.

“To be named by your peers in this way is the ultimate mark of respect. My congratulations to all of our winners tonight.

“At Rugby Players Ireland, we work to ensure players’ voices and efforts are recognised and supported. These awards celebrate not only talent, but the influence and standards set behind the scenes that help to drive our game forward.”

2025 RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND AWARDS – LIST OF WINNERS:

OCC Consulting Men’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year

Tadhg Beirne

Nominees: Caelan Doris, Tom Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park

OCC Consulting Women’s 15s Players’ Player of the Year

Aoife Dalton

Nominees: Amee-Leigh Costigan, Niamh O’Dowd, Dorothy Wall

Nevin Spence Men’s 15s Young Player of the Year

Sam Prendergast

Nominees: Gus McCarthy, Ben Murphy

Energia Ireland Women’s 15s Young Player of the Year

Erin King

Nominees: Ruth Campbell, Aoife Dalton

MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men’s 15s Try of the Year

Dan Sheehan (Ireland v England)

Nominees: Stewart Moore (Ulster v DHL Stormers), Dan Sheehan (Leinster v Ulster)

AIB Corporate Banking Women’s 15s Try of the Year

Anna McGann (Ireland v Italy)

Nominees: Amee-Leigh Costigan (Ireland v England), Linda Djougang (Ireland v Wales)

TritonLake Men’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year

Dylan O’Grady

Nominees: Niall Comerford, Mark Roche

TritonLake Women’s Sevens Players’ Player of the Year

Lucinda Kinghan

Nominees: Hannah Clarke, Kate Farrell McCabe

Zurich Contribution To Irish Society Award

Eimear Considine

Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year

Ireland’s Triple Crown success – accepted by Caelan Doris