Tullow Man - Best rugby player in Europe

almighty1

Just in case anybody missed it, our very own Sean O'Brien has being awarded the ERC European Player of the Year. A fantastic acheivement for an amazing player.

LEINSTER flanker Sean O’Brien has been named as this year’s ERC European Player of the Year, an additional individual accolade to follow on from his club’s second win in the Heineken Cup.
“It's been a fantastic year for me, and more importantly for Leinster,” said O'Brien.
“It's great to be presented with an award like this, but it has more to do with the team than it has to do with me. “Hopefully, this is only the start rather than the end of our success in Europe, and of course, we've got another trophy to aim at this weekend.”
SCINTILLATING
The ‘Tullow Tank’ back-rower has exploded onto the club and national stage this season with a series of scintillating performances, none more so than in the Heineken Cup.
Shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship, O’Brien had to be content with winning the best player of the best club competition in the world.
The 24-year-old started every game, played in all three back-row positions, scored four tries and won three Man of the Match awards.
“Sean was an inspirational character at the heart of the Leinster pack in their victorious Heineken Cup season and proved himself to be a major force both as a ball carrier and defender,” said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath.
“His power, athleticism and consistency over the course of the Heineken Cup made him an excellent choice for the ERC European Player of the Year award.”
O’Brien should now be marketed as the poster boy of Leinster rugby because of his ‘new world’ rise through the ranks of the game.
He is a product of the Youths system, from his first steps as a boy at Tullow Rugby Club through to a blockbusting back-row forward.
O’Brien’s selection was made by a panel of five experts and ratified by the captains and coaches of the 44 teams from the two competitions.
VIEWS
The shortlist of five of Europe's most talented players was presented to the 44 teams from the Heineken and Amlin Cups for their views.
The selection panel reconvened in Cardiff at the weekend to complete the selection process by opting for O'Brien as their Man of the Season. O'Brien received his award at the RDS.
The flanker and his Leinster teammates this weekend will look to become only the fourth club to win a domestic League and European Cup double when they meet Munster in the Magners League Grand Final at Thomond Park.

An old montage video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebKb-gSul6g

Morf

Does so much for Tullow rugby club.

He draws in so much money through fundraising etc.. I hope they are using the money sensibly.

Great player though and a great ambassador for Tullow and Carlow.

mirror mirror

Well done Sean and continued success to you.

byhookorbycrook

t-shirts on sale in Tara Arms and Irish bar ,nicely done and money to the local club

Cypher_sounds

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

t-shirts on sale in Tara Arms and Irish bar ,nicely done and money to the local club

Very nice t-shirts they are too only 10 euro afaik.

byhookorbycrook

Yes €10, great idea.

pappyodaniel

What a brilliant rugby player.
I've never posted on the Carlow forum before but I just wanted to say it's very refreshing to see an interview with a Leinster player and hear a 'real' Irish accent. Sean O'Brien goes hand in hand with Leinster's success in the last 2 seasons. Team Leinster is no longer restricted to the Pale and has support of the 12 counties.

onzlo

Finally Tullow has better things in the news . It's a change from 4 drunk eigits that made a program about quitting and -18C weather :P.

iTom

Sean picked up another award last night as Sporting Hero for May 2011.
The award was sponsored by KCLR98FM and Talbot Hotel Carlow.

Morf

What an incredibly awkward looking trio.