Irish Player of the Season.

thomond2006

Well lads, take your pick. Think it's a good time for one my good ol' polls.
A lot of contenders this season.

Even as a Munsterman, I have to say BOD with POC a close second.

The guy is back to his best and what a knock on (pardon the pun ) effect it has had on Irish rugby: a Grand Slam and a Leinster side in their first HC Final.

Legion2008

Paul O' Connell

Only one candidate as far as I can see it .... given that loads of people were writing him off (myself included) BOD has shown us all that he's far from finished.

Long may he reign .....

stephen_n

Paul O' Connell

As you say a lot of serious contenders but there can be only one winner this year I think.

My top 3

1. BOD
2. POC
3. David Wallace

MikeHoncho

Paul O' Connell

I have never seen a player play with more determination than BOD has shown this year. He is playing like a man possessed. I wouldnt want to be standing between him and the Heineken Cup.

Serenity Now!

Paul O' Connell

Yep O'Driscoll is the standout and I'd say Wally or Ferris next in line.

gcgirl

Paul O' Connell

BOD for me too, He has played a blinder this season!!

stephen_n

Paul O' Connell

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Yep O'Driscoll is the standout and I'd say Wally or Ferris next in line.

Actually Ferris definitely should be on that list!

anonymous_joe

Paul O' Connell

Never lost faith in BOD. We owe that man a lot.

Maybe a young player award would make sense too?

Could lash in Ferris, Fitz, Kearney, Earls, Cave, Keatley, etc.

taidghbaby

Paul O' Connell

BOD all the way for me!

though i think jamie heaslip would be pushing for second! he's been immense in defence......oh and that sidestep too

danthefan

Paul O' Connell

1. BOD
2. BOD
3. BOD
4. BOD
5. BOD

etc.

joey54

Paul O' Connell

Has to be BOD, what a consistent performer this year for both Ireland and Leinster. What makes it all the more sweeter is the way he's come back from bad form over the last year and also those niggly hamstring injuries.

Keep up the good work BOD, there's life in the old dog yet!

siochain

no heaslip in the list !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

for me it would be
BOD
Heaslip
Wallace

JP Liz

Paul O' Connell

Its got to be Brian O'Driscoll

besty

Paul O' Connell

1. BO'D
2. Ferris
3. Heaslip/O'Connell

Tomtom364

Others

Well IMO id choose niall ronan.
The guy never gives up.
He can run, step, tackle, push over, pass and even kick.

Gonna be a fantastic player in the future

danthefan

Paul O' Connell

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Well IMO id choose niall ronan.
The guy never gives up.
He can run, step, tackle, push over, pass and even kick.

Gonna be a fantastic player in the future

Niall Ronan is pushing on 27. He's found his level, Magners League.

Tomtom364

Others

danthefan wrote: »

Niall Ronan is pushing on 27. He's found his level, Magners League.

Id have to disagree. He is very capable in heineken cup and i think next season he would be a great back up for wallace for ireland.

NickNolte

Paul O' Connell

Has to be Drico. The best player in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment IMO. His season has been just ridiculous. I've never seen anything like the determination and versitility that he's demonstrated... even some of the old line-breaking/side-stepping flair is back. The man is a genius. The best Irish rugby player ever?

Podge_irl

Paul O' Connell

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Id have to disagree. He is very capable in heineken cup and i think next season he would be a great back up for wallace for ireland.

Not a hope. Jennings is a better player and SOB is a better prospect. Ronan does a job, but he's not cut out for international rugby.

beertons

Jamie Heaslip.

danthefan

Paul O' Connell

Podge_irl wrote: »

Not a hope. Jennings is a better player and SOB is a better prospect. Ronan does a job, but he's not cut out for international rugby.

He's barely able for HEC imo. He struggled badly in the HEC games he played in earlier in the season and subsequently was dropped. Jennings is miles better (the fact people can still have a go at Jennings at this stage is astounding) and I agree with you, Ronan would not be able for international rugby.

NickNolte

Paul O' Connell

beertons wrote: »

Jamie Heaslip.

Definitely an immense season but not a patch on BOD IMO.

Hippo

Paul O' Connell

Many contenders but it's Drico by a country mile.

anonymous_joe

Paul O' Connell

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Id have to disagree. He is very capable in heineken cup and i think next season he would be a great back up for wallace for ireland.

The only Leinsterman who'll be back up for Wallace next year is Jennings.

Ronan's a decent enough player, but he's nowhere near the level of Wallace or Jennings. Wonder would Johnny O'Connor be a better shout for the Ireland 7 shirt anyway? Certainly if he played like he did for Wasps...

jtsuited

Paul O' Connell

jaysus, a whole forum agreeing on something!!!

So far BOD 48 vs Not-BOD 9

Just shows you what a player he has been.

I think Heaslip, Kearney and Fitzgerald should get an honourable mention too.

r14

Paul O' Connell

There can be only one and it has to be BOD. My tip for IRB Player of the Year as well.

If there could be two I think Fitzgerald could sneak in because he has been a try machine all year.

Madworld

Paul O' Connell

1. BOD
2. Heaslip
3. Ferris

garbanzo

Paul O' Connell

BOD. No arguments. It has been a real honour to see him in the flesh in Croker/RDS/Twickenham this year for Ireland/Leinster. He has been just awesome

I look forward to telling my grand-chisslers that yes . . .I remember watching BOD back in the day. BOD de maaan.

Just hope he can round off a great season with the silverwear he deserves in Edinburgh.

Nukem

Paul O' Connell

Knew if before I went and saw the results. BOD back to his best IMO

thomond2006

Paul O' Connell

Sorry lads should have added Ferris and Heaslip to poll.

Poll was waste of time anyway. Sure I knew the result.

accensi0n

O'Driscoll.

Hopefully he can be part of a HC winning team, a winning lions tour and an all black beating team before he finishes up.

seasam

Paul O' Connell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Never lost faith in BOD. We owe that man a lot.

Maybe a young player award would make sense too?

Could lash in Ferris, Fitz, Kearney, Earls, Cave, Keatley, etc.

What about Cian Healy ? he should be in with that bunch for sure

anonymous_joe

Paul O' Connell

seasam wrote: »

What about Cian Healy ? he should be in with that bunch for sure

Can't believe I forgot him.

piby

Tomas O' Leary

BOD has been in the form of his life! I don't think he's played as well as he has since at least pre-2005 and I argue this may have been his best season ever. I'm delighted he finally won the 'Slam and hopefully a HC to boot!

POC, Heaslip, Ferris were outstanding, as were most of the team TBH, but I'd have Tommy Bowe second. He came up with tries at extremely crucial times for Ireland and he's also been scoring a lot for Ospreys.

leinsterman

Paul O' Connell

Given my Boards name I could be accused of bias ... but I voted for BOD ... I think his courage and determination this year is deserving of recognition ...

I do believe POC deserves a special mention too for similar reasons ...

If I had to vote for best player for an Irish team it would probably be a fight between BOD and Rocky ... with BOD shading it only just ... but here I can be accused of bias ... I'm a little less concious of how the Munster players are performing at provincial level ... I do think Mafi has been incredible this year!

Danakin

Paul O' Connell

Really there can be no argument. I always think it's brilliant to see a great player who maybe fades from the standards he'se set for himself for a while manage to return to that level. I actually think he might be playing the best rugby of his career at the moment.

Honourable mentions:Heaslip,O'Connell,Ferris,Fitzgerald,O'Leary.

Fishtits

BOD without a doubt. THE stand out player this year, back to his best having gone AWOL for a while.

great to see so many snapping at his heels, Ferris, Heaslip, POC, Earls etc etc.

Great future for Irish rugby...

dreamer_ire

Paul O' Connell

BOD for me too but very very closely followed by POC. Wallace has had a great season too as has Ferris. My outstanding four for 08/09.

MikeCork2009

Paul O' Connell

Yup its BOD for me too. Even in my Munster jersey at the match in Croker Saturday I had to stand up and applaud his man of the match display. Was immense in the 6 Nations -played like a man possessed

Tommy Bowe & Keith Earls have had a great year too tho and then there's the ever great POC!!!

Peter B

Paul O' Connell

Alan Quinlan? Eh.... maybe not

Paul O' Connell

Has to be BOD.

Hugh_C

John Hayes

better poll would be "2nd best Irish player"

david wallace

danthefan

Paul O' Connell

Hugh_C wrote: »

better poll would be "2nd best Irish player"

david wallace

I would disagree. His form for Ireland this season has been nothing special. POC for me.

jam_on_toast

Paul O' Connell

danthefan wrote: »

I would disagree. His form for Ireland this season has been nothing special. POC for me.

Agreed re Wallace, had good autumn internationals but ferris was our best backrower in the 6n followed by heaslip.

1. BOD
2. Ferris/POC

Best young player
Healy.

Eoin

Paul O' Connell

Hugh C wrote:

better poll would be "2nd best Irish player"

I think you're right about that!

Tough call so, after BOD.

I think O'Connell's work rate was truly excellent. An inspiration against Wales. I thought Ferris showed himself to be a more rounded player than I was expecting. Fitzgerald's defence was much more solid than I thought it would be, and Bowe's form was superb. Heaslip too... Not sure why O'Leary or Hayes are on the poll though.

jam_on_toast

Paul O' Connell

eoin wrote: »

I think you're right about that!

Tough call so, after BOD.

I think O'Connell's work rate was truly excellent. An inspiration against Wales. I thought Ferris showed himself to be a more rounded player than I was expecting. Fitzgerald's defence was much more solid than I thought it would be, and Bowe's form was superb. Heaslip too... Not sure why O'Leary or Hayes are on the poll though.

Have you seen the OP's name?

jayteecork

Paul O' Connell

What? no Jeremy Staunton?

Diabhal Beag

Jamie Heaslip left out :eek:

legal eagle 1

I think John Hayes should also get a mention..............he may not be the best player on the pitch or score many points but, the guy is there every match bearing the brunt of that scrum and we'd be lost without him seen as we have no proper replacement
Have to agree with the majority BOD was defo the best Irish player this year..............even though i cant stand the guy!haha

Eoin

Paul O' Connell

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

I think John Hayes should also get a mention..............he may not be the best player on the pitch or score many points but, the guy is there every match bearing the brunt of that scrum and we'd be lost without him seen as we have no proper replacement

I completely agree he's the cornerstone of the pack and we'd probably have been lost without him, but I don't think it's enough to deserve player of the season.

legal eagle 1

Ya i dont think he deserved player of the year either but, i think he should be included in the list