Your End of Season Awards
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With the majority of the season completed, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to see who fans of each province felt really stood out this season and deserve some accolades. For instance, who was your Young Player of the season (23 or under), Player of the Season, Breakout Performer, Unsung Hero and One to Watch for next season. Feel free to shout out players from rival provinces too!
As a Munster fan, it has been an interesting season to say the least with a great start followed by inconsistency and frankly a lack fight shown in some games so some of these categories were tougher to fill than previous years. My awards are as follows:
My Munster Young Player of the Season: Brian Gleeson- the 22 year old has racked up 15 appearances, scoring 4 tries this season. Very dynamic in the loose, he has often been unleashed off the bench but perhaps his best performances have come when he has started. A injury against Leinster had curtailed his form somewhat but he has almost certainly been our best ball carrier this season with standout performances against Leonster, Scarlets, Glasgow and the Lions. Hopefully, even moee to come from him.
My Munster Player of the Season: Jack Crowley- Honestly, a pretty easy choice even with the usual tadgh Beirne heroics in some games. We just look more dangerous with him playing and despite being guilty of taking too much on at times when the pack is getting beaten up, he plays with such drive, passion and skill that can inspire both fans and teammates alike.
My Breakout Performer: Jack O'Donoghue. Honestly the hardest pick to make, Mcmillan has tended to consistently select more established names in his squads and with Munster's struggles oftentimes players have lacked consistency in performance. My controversial pick is JOD, I do not think i was alone in thinking his time at Munster was numbered going in to the season after feeling like a bit part player the year before. However, this season he felt like a man reborn. High work rate coupled eith on field leadership and physicality, it felt like a bit of a renaissance for the man, consistently outperforming many of his peers. An honourable mention to Ben O'Connor and both edogbos
for this category.
My Unsung Hero: Tom Ahern- A toss up between him and Nank, I just felt that Nank has gotten more plaudits this season. An ever present in the side when fit, the giant figure of Ahern is often responsible for a lineout that has improved from last season. He brings plenty of pace and power in the loose as well being a nuisance for opposition in lineout and maul D to particular effect this season. The pack has struggled massively this season but you cannot doubt the work rate and tenacity of Ahern.
My One to Watch for next season. Evan O'Connell- Limited to only 4 senior appearances this season, he has looked lively despite his limited minutes. Perhaps not fully filled out physically yet at 22, he has still held his own against the packs of both Glasgow and the Lions and looks like a potential future leader on the pitch. With Kleyn leaving, he should injury permitting rack up more minutes and hopefully gain the trust of the coaching staff.