Breakthrough Player of the Year?

opinionatedfan

Decided to do this now, not much between now will really change your answer.

Picked two players from each province who have stepped up to become potential Ireland caps in the next 12 months if they do not already have a cap.

Connacht
Robbie Henshaw
Kieran Marmion

Leinster
Ian Madigan
Jordi Murphy

Munster
Dave Kilcoyne
Tommy O'Donnell

Ulster
Iain Henderson
Stuart Olding

trouttrout

Tommy O'Donnell

I'd say Henderson and TOD have been the biggest revelations

almighty1

Jordi Murphy

Henderson and Madigan for me.

Pudsy33

Jordi Murphy

Voted for Madigan, although it doesn't seem to be there.

Henderson a close second, he's some monster.

TOD in 3rd.

Glass Prison 1214

Stuart Olding

This is no way Madigan's breakthrough year, he was our top try scorer last season ffs and many were arguing that he should have been back up to Johnny for Ireland last season. As fantastic as he has been this season he should not be considered for this award.

Henderson for me.

.ak

Dave Kilcoyne

Madigan isn't exactly breakthrough though. He was great last year, he just got bit more of an opportunity this year. For me it's between Murphy, Henderson, Olding and Marshall... The last one probably being the most impressive.

its_phil

Stuart Olding

Going for Henderson because it wasn't for me really a breakthrough year as such for Madigan. We all knew what Madigan was capable of and he had already been playing a good amount of games in previous years, but we just hadn't seen it in Europe because of Sexton.

Outside of that Marmion for me and has put it up very well against the likes of Boss, Yachvilli and Care. Only men to make him look silly were Stringer and Khan Fotuali. As a side note Henshaw won the Connacht Senior Player of the Year, a year after winning the U19 award.

MikeCork2009

Iain Henderson

Maybe being a little bit Munster biased here but think Tommy O'Donnell has been excellent this season. Can't help but think of Sminky shorts every time he takes off with the ball "Tommy's mad for speed" A player with a great future for Ireland and Munster.

CatFromHue

I haven't seen enough of Connacht to comment but Henshaw and Marmion are now first choice is pretty impressive, the same for Dave Kilcoyne too.

opinionatedfan

Stuart Olding

I debated on putting Madigan in but in the end I thought it was the right call. I can understand the view that he had already broken through though.

totallegend

Stuart Olding

O'Donnell has been good but not nearly as good as Henderson.

If the season was going on a bit longer, olding would be making a serious case I think.

Madigan has been the best of the lot but last year was his breakthrough.

siltirocker

Kieran Marmion

Madness that a guy who did his Leaving Cert last year and became his province's Player of the Year 2013 hasn't got one vote for break through of the year.

This forum is broke.

Madigan me hole, he's been around for 2 or 3 years now. Henderson is the only other who could deserve it.

[Jackass]

Henderson or Marshall for me.

Some of the options I wouldn't say it's their breakthrough year. In fact maybe it's not even Marshalls.

porterbelly

O Donnell is hardly breakthrough? He's been around a few years

I wouldn't have Madigan as breakthrough either, had a good few games under his belt before this year and established himself last season

Olding, Henderson, Kilcoyne, Jordi Murphy, Henshaw, Marmion

Tox56

siltirocker wrote: »

Madness that a guy who did his Leaving Cert last year and became his province's Player of the Year 2013 hasn't got one vote for break through of the year.

This forum is broke.

Madigan me hole, he's been around for 2 or 3 years now. Henderson is the only other who could deserve it.

I sincerely apoligise for holding an opinion that differs from yours, but it's TOD for me. He's older than the rest but if anything that makes it more remarkable, people weren't expecting a huge amount from him and he comes out and puts in some cracking performances, namely in a H Cup QF and Semi final up against the likes of Robshaw and Bonnaire, but also great consistency in the Rabo throughout the season. Will deservedly be featuring in Irish squads in the future

peterako

Kieran Marmion

Would have voted Madigan....but he's hardly a breakthrough THIS year!

Henshaw will be outstanding if he's not too fast-tracked!

Struggled a bit with the U20's though.....

siltirocker

Kieran Marmion

Tox56 wrote: »

I sincerely apoligise for holding an opinion that differs from yours, but it's TOD for me. He's older than the rest but if anything that makes it more remarkable, people weren't expecting a huge amount from him and he comes out and puts in some cracking performances, namely in a H Cup QF and Semi final up against the likes of Robshaw and Bonnaire, but also great consistency in the Rabo throughout the season. Will deservedly be featuring in Irish squads in the future

Ya but O'Donnell is 26 in a few days and has been in the Munster squad for years and has been putting in decent appearances in that time. He was amazing against Connacht in 2010 for example.

Yes, O'Donnell upped his game, but going from schools to Player of the Year is a much larger jump of scale IMO.

Mahatma Geansai

Tommy O'Donnell

Too early for Olding, too late for Madigan. Henderson has been brilliant and built upon his season last year. Kilcoyne has established himself as the second best LH in the country after only a couple of starts last year. Marmion will hopefully establish himself behind Murray for Ireland in the coming season, and Henshaw has been brilliant for a lad his age.

TOD has had the most impressive breakthrough though. I don't think anyone expected as much from him. He has been consistently been the best 7 on the pitch in recent weeks; comprehensively outplaying SOB and Robshaw in the last month shows how far he's come. He mightn't have Wally's looks, but he has his pace and is looking like developing his power.

trouttrout

Tommy O'Donnell

Actually ya Kilcoyne has been immense

PhatPiggins

Stuart Olding

opinionatedfan wrote: »

I debated on putting Madigan in but in the end I thought it was the right call. I can understand the view that he had already broken through though.

It was completely the wrong call, as was putting in O'Donnell.

You should take both of them out and get a genuine poll on breakthrough player of the year and not a Munster/Leinster popularity contest.

It's Henderson by an awful lot for me.

PhatPiggins

Stuart Olding

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Too early for Olding, too late for Madigan. Henderson has been brilliant and built upon his season last year. Kilcoyne has established himself as the second best LH in the country after only a couple of starts last year. Marmion will hopefully establish himself behind Murray for Ireland in the coming season, and Henshaw has been brilliant for a lad his age.

TOD has had the most impressive breakthrough though. I don't think anyone expected as much from him. He has been consistently been the best 7 on the pitch in recent weeks; comprehensively outplaying SOB and Robshaw in the last month shows how far he's come. He mightn't have Wally's looks, but he has his pace and is looking like developing his power.

O'Brien played 6 that day

Todd Toddington III

Kieran Marmion

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Too early for Olding, too late for Madigan. Henderson has been brilliant and built upon his season last year. Kilcoyne has established himself as the second best LH in the country after only a couple of starts last year. Marmion will hopefully establish himself behind Murray for Ireland in the coming season, and Henshaw has been brilliant for a lad his age.

TOD has had the most impressive breakthrough though. I don't think anyone expected as much from him. He has been consistently been the best 7 on the pitch in recent weeks; comprehensively outplaying SOB and Robshaw in the last month shows how far he's come. He mightn't have Wally's looks, but he has his pace and is looking like developing his power.

Robshaw is a good leader but as 7s go he's ok, another 6.5. Tommy O Donnell has looked good so far any time ive watched him all the same, hope he keeps it up

danthefan

Iain Henderson

PhatPiggins wrote: »

O'Brien played 6 that day

There's been so much guff talked about that game since that you'd think Leinster got hammered. Completely outplayed, dominated, blah blah blah.

Oh wait, Leinster won in Thomond. Again.

Anyway TOD has been very impressive. He's 26 in the summer though. I think I voted for him by accident, meant to go for Henderson, who has taken to professional rugby like he's been at it for years.

Madigan was pretty excellent for Leinster last season in the league so don't think he fit the criteria.

PhatPiggins

Stuart Olding

danthefan wrote: »

There's been so much guff talked about that game since that you'd think Leinster got hammered. Completely outplayed, dominated, blah blah blah.

Oh wait, Leinster won in Thomond. Again.

Anyway TOD has been very impressive. He's 26 in the summer though. I think I voted for him by accident, meant to go for Henderson, who has taken to professional rugby like he's been at it for years.

Madigan was pretty excellent for Leinster last season in the league so don't think he fit the criteria.

He's potentially the new David Wallace, accident my arse. Subconciously you meant to vote for him

RoundBox11

Stuart Olding

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

TOD has had the most impressive breakthrough though. I don't think anyone expected as much from him. He has been consistently been the best 7 on the pitch in recent weeks; comprehensively outplaying SOB and Robshaw in the last month shows how far he's come. He mightn't have Wally's looks, but he has his pace and is looking like developing his power.

It's the guns that i miss....

ed7890

Tommy O'Donnell

I'm going to go with Kilcoyne. In the same weekend last year he was playing in the B&I semi-final, and hadn't started for Munster yet. In 12 months he's advanced to starting in a heineken cup semi-final against Clermont and not looking out of place.

Henderson would be a close second. Really has become a big player for Ulster is a short time.

Bridge93

Dave Kilcoyne

Henderson or Murphy for me. Shame the two of them TOD and POM, Kev McL, Henry, Ryan and a host of youngsters seem to be playing for one spot over the next few years. Bar injury Heaslip and O Brien are in the Irish team for the foreseeable future. If ferris came back...

Zuffer

Stuart Olding

Good poll.

Ultimately I went for Henderson. He's gone from playing U20s last season to regular Ulster starter, to Ireland caps. And we've all seen him play, and we know how good he is and how much potential he has.

While O'Donnell has been good for Munster, he's playing in a position that is extremely congested at international level. I'd agree with those who have said that last season was really Madigan's breakthough season, he started about 17 games for Leinster in the Rabo.

Jordi Murphy has been impressive in that he's taken his opportunity to come through that congested field that is the Leinster backrow. However, he's well off a first team place in a knockout game when everyone is fit.

I haven't seen enough of Connacht to talk about their players

Ardillaun

Tommy O'Donnell

Why is Dave Kilcoyne in italics? This sinister ploy may have affected my decision because he's my pick given the critical shortage of good props in these here parts. Needless to say, Henderson has been awesome and Olding darn impressive too.

I thought the choices would be more obscure for this title, people I hadn't heard of. I would say most of these guys have broken through already.

ScissorPaperRock

Marshall should be in there

Podge_irl

Stuart Olding

I went with Henderson, who looks like he's been a pro for years. I'd have Henshaw after him.

darragh_haven

Should breakthrough season be defined by something like having a minimum of 10 starts for the season. Jusy suggesting.....

phog

Tommy O'Donnell

Surely Dave Kilcoyne is the breakthrough player ofthe year. He was an academy player for Munster last season and is now a certain starter for Munster and picked up a few International caps as well.

I wouldn't have Madigan and TOD on the breakthrough list at all, Madigan's breakthrough season was last season if not the year before and TOD is around a while just wasn't getting enough gametime to see his value.

Henderson would be a tight call with Kilcoyne but I think Dave tips it as a prop usually takes longer to develop and he's shown he's immense in the scrum and in the loose. Both got chances at international caps through injuries or suspensions and both delivered.

The others are really runners up to either Henderson and Kilcoyne.

bilston

Stuart Olding

There have been a few good breakthrough. Iain Henderson, Dave Kilcoyne, Robbie Henshaw and Stuart Olding would be the four obvious ones IMO. Given they've been capped I'd say it's between Henderson and Kilcoyne. I've seen more of Hendo, although I've been impressed with what I've seen of Killer. Just for his tackle on Parisse in the 6Ns, his break against Saracens and his offload to Bowe against Connacht I'm going for Henderson for those champagne moments.

In saying that if, as I expect, Henshaw and Olding get capped in the summer then that will strengthen their claims.

Finally it's already been said but the poll is kind of ruined by the inclusion of Madigan whose breakthrough year was surely last season! Anyway it's the OP's thread and poll and Madigan has had an excellent season.

eyeball kid

Stuart Olding

Along with a lot of other people here, don't understand why Madigan or TOD were included in the list. Granted they have both had excellent years but neither are in their breakthrough year.

Voted for Henderson. He has looked comfortable at every level he was asked to play at this year.
Second choice would have been Henshaw. For a guy so young who was in school last year to be playing so much rugby I think has been pretty phenomenal. Kilcoyne has also had a great season.

desertcircus

Has to be Henderson. Ulster are facing the very real prospect of losing Stephen Ferris and nobody's particularly worried because Henderson's come through. He's been ramped up through the development stages this year and has looked completely at home at each one, and he still looks like a twelve-year old kid Photoshopped their head onto a rugby player's body. Kilcoyne has pushed past Court to get his hands on an Irish jersey, but Henderson's getting game time in the row and at six, where we have enough strength in depth to stock a whole league.

decisions

Stuart Olding

Has to be Hendo, 20's to to Ireland caps in a season. Also been huge for Ulster.

Other standouts Marmian who has started every game this year, Killer and Henshaw. This wasn't Madigans breakout year, he was great last year but he did massively step up in Sextons absence.

Stuart Olding

Henderson by a country mile

Gambas

Stuart Olding

desertcircus wrote: »

he still looks like a twelve-year old kid Photoshopped their head onto a rugby player's body..

Henderson is a freak. He looks about as graceful as a day old calf while running and still manages to leave players for dead. He tops this list for me, but I have a feeling we'll be talking about next year as his breakthrough year too, but at another level.

DDC1990

Tommy O'Donnell

I voted Kilcoyne, as I had heard little or nothing about him up to this season (apart from the B&I final last year).

To go from anonymity to a starter in a HC semi final and to be capped by Ireland tops any achievement by the others IMO.

Not saying he's better or will have a longer legacy, just think he's come from farther back then any of the others.

Everyone knew the potential was there for Madigan, Henderson and TOD. They have been exceptional in their own rights this year, but the mark of a true breakout player, for me is the element of coming out of nowhere.

That's just my take on it, but overall its fantastic to be talking about the strength of Irish talent coming through in so many positions.

Kilcoyne in the front row. Henderson at lock/backrow. TOD at Flanker. Marmion at 9, Madigan at 10, Henshaw at 15.

All going well, they have huge futures ahead of them.

Hope we have a similar thread 12 months from now.

Ardillaun

Tommy O'Donnell

decisions wrote: »

Has to be Hendo, 20's to to Ireland caps in a season. Also been huge for Ulster.

Other standouts Marmian who has started every game this year, Killer and Henshaw. This wasn't Madigans breakout year, he was great last year but he did massively step up in Sextons absence.

What pushed me towards Kilcoyne over Hendo is:

1. Cian excepted, it's a lot easier to make spectacular breaks as a loose forward/second row than for the heavy lifters.

2. There are always good loose forwards coming through the ranks in Ireland. To alter that old song a little bit, a good prop is hard to find.

FrannoFan

Stuart Olding

Feel Madigan with over 70 games for Leinster is hardly his breakthrough year.

bilston

Stuart Olding

So who are the 64 people who voted for Madigan as breakthrough player of the year?!

bilston

Stuart Olding

bilston wrote: »

So who are the 64 people who voted for Madigan as breakthrough player of the year?!

abitofacomedian, almighty1, ambid, andrewdcs, andyman, arodabomb, artvandelay48, Benny Cake, case885, CdeP, CGD, Chavways, Coburger, colman1212, Conchir, corkladd, cunavalos, Dave_The_Sheep, davidpfitz, Deank, Dero, dougal, Dunjuan, efb, EmacB, FishorSeal, Foxtrol, gingernut125, Irlandczyk, jimjamcos, John83, ktulu123, learningtime, lologram, lotmc, matthew8, mc3ac, McCalvin, minitrue, Nemesis, niallfitz, Nimrod 7, pc7, phili_g, phily2002, Phonehead, Principal Skinner, Pudsy33, puntosporting, RedorDead, redzerologhlen, SebBerkovich, Sideshow Mark, Sundy, sydthebeat, Theta, TheVoodoo, the_one_&_only, Thud, tolosenc, tomred1, urajoke, wicklowwonder, Yamanoto

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=23940

decisions

Stuart Olding

Lot of names I don't recognize on the list if votes for Madigan.

.ak

Dave Kilcoyne

For some reason I thought Henderson was getting starts last year, so I voted for Jordi.. but now I've realized Henderson only broke onto the scene in the last U20 season! Still mad to think that 12 months ago he was a complete unknown to the average fan.

Gambas

Stuart Olding

decisions wrote: »

Lot of names I don't recognize on the list if votes for Madigan.

Lots of names on the poll the people you don't recognise didn't recognise, if you know what I mean

bilston

Stuart Olding

.ak wrote: »

For some reason I thought Henderson was getting starts last year, so I voted for Jordi.. but now I've realized Henderson only broke onto the scene in the last U20 season! Still mad to think that 12 months ago he was a complete unknown to the average fan.

Do you reckon Jordi Murphy might be an option for the North America tour? A back row of POM, Henry and Murphy might be a possibility with Henderson in the row. Or would you put POM at 8 with Ruddock or Ryan at 6. I suppose Henry could go to 8 and TOD could play 7 as well. Loads of options anyway.

.ak

Dave Kilcoyne

bilston wrote: »

Do you reckon Jordi Murphy might be an option for the North America tour? A back row of POM, Henry and Murphy might be a possibility with Henderson in the row. Or would you put POM at 8 with Ruddock or Ryan at 6. I suppose Henry could go to 8 and TOD could play 7 as well. Loads of options anyway.

I had Murphy pegged for North America a while back. I'd love to see him at the base with Henry and POM as flankers. Absolute wrecking ball of a backrow. I'd probably have one of the other Leinster backrows on the bench, or TOD, as they can cover both sides fairly well.

molloyjh

Tommy O'Donnell

bilston wrote: »

Do you reckon Jordi Murphy might be an option for the North America tour? A back row of POM, Henry and Murphy might be a possibility with Henderson in the row. Or would you put POM at 8 with Ruddock or Ryan at 6. I suppose Henry could go to 8 and TOD could play 7 as well. Loads of options anyway.

Hard to know with only 2 games scheduled. If you look at the back-rows available and then consider the Emerging tour as well:

Locky
Ruddock
Ryan
Murphy
POM
TOD
Coughlan
Henry

I've left out the likes of Jenno and Muldoon because of their age but we might need to take a look at them too. What about McCombish? And who else am I forgetting?

.ak

Dave Kilcoyne

molloyjh wrote: »

Hard to know with only 2 games scheduled. If you look at the back-rows available and then consider the Emerging tour as well:

Locky
Ruddock
Ryan
Murphy
POM
TOD
Coughlan
Henry

I've left out the likes of Jenno and Muldoon because of their age but we might need to take a look at them too. What about McCombish? And who else am I forgetting?

Diack maybe?