Strong local interest after shortlist for Connacht Rugby awards revealed

There is a strong local presence among the nominees for the 2025 Connacht Rugby awards.

Creggs RFC and Carrock-on-Shannon RFC have both been nominated for Club of the Year.

There is strong Creggs interest in the Men’s Junior Club Player of the Year with Creggs duo Brian Diffley and Shane Purcell both shortlisted for the award. Meanwhile, Marist College Athlone are shortlisted for the School of the Year.

The U-18 Men’s Player of the Year award sees strong local representation among the three nominees.

Leo Anic (CBS Roscommon/Creggs RFC) and Andrew Henson (Marist College/Buccaneers RFC) are both shortlisted while Siofra Hession (Mercy College/Creggs RFC) is shortlisted for the U-18 Women’s Player of the Year.

Ballinasloe’s John Devine has been nominated for the Academy Player of the Year while Kolo Kiripati, who was Head Coach as Creggs secured a treble this season, is nominated for Coach of the Year.

Creggs RFC’s Jemima Adams Verling has been nominated for Women’s Club Player of the Year.

There are 17 awards in all, from club and school level to the Connacht player pathway and senior men’s and women’s sides.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, May 24th at the Galmont Hotel in Galway, and pays tribute to the performances of our players, coaches and volunteers at all levels of the game.

The senior men’s and women’s nominees to be announced closer to the event.

Tickets are on sale now at connachtrugby.ie/awards, with a special early bird price available until Friday, May 2nd.