Latest news with #ConnachtRugbyAwards
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
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
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Devine, Treacy and West sign first professional contracts with Connacht
Connacht Rugby announce that John Devine, Finn Treacy and Harry West have signed their first professional contracts with the province ahead of the 2025/26 season. Exclusively announced during the Connacht Rugby Awards on Saturday night, the trio have come up through the Academy pathway system and now move into the pro team setup. Devine will join his brother Matthew as the latest pair of homegrown brothers in the Connacht professional ranks, has excelled for both Corinthians and the Connacht Eagles at inside centre. West came through the club system at Ballina RFC, started out at fly-half before transitioning towardsd full-back. Treacy, winner of Academy Player of the Year, has been drafted from Year two of the Academy after becoming a regular member of the senior matchday squad for the second half of this season. He has made eight appearances to date -starting seven - and has scored five tries to date. The trio have experience at Ireland U20s level. In 2023 Devine started all 10 games for Ireland in the U20s Six Nations and World Championships while West featured in five games as well as the previous U20s Summer Series. In 2024 Treacy made nine appearances across the Six Nations and World Championships. Connacht Academy manager Eric Elwood said 'Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers. "I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone. "Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.' 'Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers. I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone. Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.'
