Pics: Connacht stars and other halves stun at annual awards night
The Connacht squad and their other halves were out in force for a glamorous event at the Galgorm Hotel in Galway over the weekend.
The stars poured out onto the red carpet for the club's annual award ceremony with Ben Murphy and Orla Dixon the big winners on the night.
The event was presented by Globalization Partners with Murphy and Dixon winning the club's player of the year awards. Ben Murphy and Amy Gorman. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes
Murphy was Connacht's top try scorer this season with nine tries after making the move from his native Leinster last summer.
Meanwhile, Dixon received the Women's Player of the Year award for the second time in three seasons after the club finished third in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship. Women's Player of the Year Winner Orla Dixon at the Connacht Rugby Awards at the Galmont Hotel, Galway, Ireland 24/5/2025 Pic: ©INPHO/Andrew Downes
At the awards themselves, the club's stars were all beaming on the red carpet as many were joined by their other halves for the big night.
Speaking about her win, Orla Dixon said she was shocked by the nod. Dylan Tierney Martin and Jessica Murphy. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes
'I don't think I can honestly explain how I'm feeling at the minute,' she said. 'I was so overwhelmed to be nominated, and the girls that I was up against are phenomenal players – I can't emphasise that enough.
'To come out and win Women's Player of the Year, I actually can't put it into words.' Finlay Bealham and Sarah Bealham. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes
Meanwhile, Men's winner Murphy said it was 'very nice' to be recognised with the award.
'It's come down to the enjoyment factor of being here, and the squad of players here is phenomenal as well, so I'm very lucky,' he said. Attendees at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
'What have I enjoyed the most? I think it's the camaraderie of the squad and the staff.'
Check out more photos from the big night below. Finlay Bealham and Sarah Bealham. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Finlay Bealham and Sarah Bealham. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Ava Bannon and Temi Lasisi. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Genesys at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Sarah and Mark Staunton. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Orla Dixon, women's player of the year, at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Creggs RFC, winner of club of the year, at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Ailbhe Gannon, Martin Óg McDonagh and Dolores McDonagh. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Leo and Maria Troy. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Merisa Kiripati, Ailbhe Gannon, Siobhra Hession, Aoife Heaney and Uillin Eilian. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Attendees at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane Dara Fitzgerald with Saoirse, Alan and Olivia O'Grady. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Louise Kelly, OLBC Corinthians and family at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Laya at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Jenny McDonagh and Sean Walsh, winner of the U19 men's player of the year award, at the Connacht Rugby Awards. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Ben Murphy and Amy Gorman. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Deirdre Tucker and Cullie Tucker. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Eoin de Buitléar and Ella Griffin. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Shayne Bolton and Johane Mouton. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Terri Byrne and Darragh Murray. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Lauren Mullen and Sean Naughton. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Niamh Foy, Sinead O'Brien and Orla Dixon. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Paul Casserly and Minister Hildegarde Naughton. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Chloe McCrann, Cheyenne Holman, Zoe langsdaleConnacht Rugby at the Connacht Rugby Awards at the Galmont Hotel, Galway, Ireland 24/5/2025
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Andrew Downes Collette McCormack and Vincent Rowe Sound to light at the Connacht Rugby Awards at the Galmont Hotel, Galway, Ireland 24/5/2025
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Andrew Downes Mark and Sarah Staunton at the Connacht Rugby Awards at the Galmont Hotel, Galway, Ireland 24/5/2025
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Andrew Downes Women's Player of the Year Winner Orla Dixon at the Connacht Rugby Awards at the Galmont Hotel, Galway, Ireland 24/5/2025 Pic: ©INPHO/Andrew Downes Matthew Staunton and Martha Green. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Alan and Olivia O'Grady. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Norah Hughes and Martina Murphy. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Karly Tierney and Molly Boote. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Louise Kelly and Dylan Keane. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Fiona and Sean Daly. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Niamh McGhee and Jack Aungier. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Sarah and Maeve O'Connell. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Dylan Tierney Martin and Jessica Murphy. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Ruth Kevane and Shane Jennings. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Aoife O'Sullivan, Sophie Lennon and Stephanie Coughlan. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes James Nicholson and Charlotte O'Brien. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Caolin Blade and Sarah O'Connell. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Colm Reilly and Laoise Dunne. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Leanne O'Callaghan and Conor Oliver. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Paul Casserly and Minister Hildegarde Naughton. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Uillin Eilian, Ailbhe Gannon and Ella Burns. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Nan Breathnach, Sean Breathnach and Brenda Mulkerrin. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Dervla Campbell and Maria Troy. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes John Davey, president of ARCB, and his daughter Ruth. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Chay Mullins and Charlotte Watts. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes Stephanie Carr and Peter Dooley. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes John Muldoon and Lorna Muldoon. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Downes
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