![\"Stuart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/94816_2961283-1248x832.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMcCloskey received the OCC Consulting Men\u2019s 15s Players\u2019 Player of the Year award following a terrific season for Ulster and Ireland, while Moloney-MacDonald, fresh from helping Ireland to a memorable third place finish in the Guinness Women\u2019s Six Nations, was crowned the OCC Consulting Women\u2019s 15s Players\u2019 Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
A hugely influential figure this year for both province and country, the award caps an extraordinary campaign for centre McCloskey, who edged out fellow Triple Crown winners Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan, and last year\u2019s Players\u2019 Player of the Year and British & Irish Lions Player of the Series, Tadhg Beirne.<\/p>\n
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Speaking after receiving the award, the Bangor man said: \u201cI\u2019m not sure there\u2019s any world in which I would have imagined myself receiving this award this time last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve really enjoyed this season and having the opportunity to test myself against the very best in the game. I\u2019m also honoured to share the field with many great players, and to have this acknowledgment from them is very special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Moloney-MacDonald, who recently won her 50th Ireland cap, was honoured as the Women\u2019s Player\u2019 Player of the Year, beating out stiff competition from fellow nominees Eve Higgins and Brittany Hogan.<\/p>\n
Earning an international recall in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, the Galway native has brought invaluable experience to Scott Bemand\u2019s young and exciting Ireland squad which played in front of a 31,294-strong record home crowd at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Reacting to her award success, Moloney-MacDonald said: \u201cIt feels like I\u2019ve had two different careers with Ireland. It hasn\u2019t been an easy road at times but the team is now in a great place and well positioned to become a real force at the top of the Women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud to have played my part over the years and while this award feels like a full circle moment, I know there\u2019s plenty of road in the journey to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Eve](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/94816_2961184-1248x1329.jpg\")
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Despite a big European weekend on the horizon, many of the biggest names in Irish Rugby were present on the night as hosts Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble reflected on a memorable season across the professional game.<\/p>\n
The Zurich Contribution to Irish Society award was presented to retiring Connacht out-half Jack Carty in recognition of his continued advocacy and community engagement, as well as his work across \u2018Tackle Your Feelings\u2019 and other charitable causes.<\/p>\n
A firm advocate of Rugby Players Ireland\u2019s work, Carty was also recognised for the way in which he has prepared for life beyond the game through the establishment of his businesses, Cognitive Blends and Project Padel.<\/p>\n
The MSL Mercedes Benz Ballsbridge Men\u2019s 15s Try of the Year went to Robert Baloucoune for his Six Nations debut try against Italy, while Eve Higgins claimed the AIB Women\u2019s 15s Try of the Year honour following her excellent intercept score against Japan at the Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
Nominated in three different categories, Robyn O\u2019Connor prevailed as the Energia Women\u2019s 15s Young Player of the Year after a breakthrough season that included two Six Nations tries, while impressive Ulster back rower Bryn Ward was named the Nevin Spence Men\u2019s 15s Young Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
![\"Robyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/94816_2961230-1248x832.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Further accolades on the night saw Megan Burns announced as the TritonLake Women\u2019s Sevens Player of the Year, and Ireland\u2019s successful pursuit of another Triple Crown was the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year with McCloskey\u2019s dramatic chase-down tackle against England serving as the defining image of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, commented: \u201cIt may not be a season that immediately stands out in the public consciousness, but when you step back and look at what was achieved, there is a huge amount to be proud of.<\/p>\n
\u201cIreland came within touching distance of a Men\u2019s Six Nations title, broke attendance records in the Women\u2019s game, and now has two provinces preparing for European Cup finals this weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo consistently reach those standards, an enormous amount of work takes place behind the scenes. That is what makes these awards so meaningful. To be recognised by your peers remains one of the highest honours in the game. Congratulations to all of tonight\u2019s winners and nominees whose efforts continue to drive Irish Rugby forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Rugby](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/94816_2961150-1248x702.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
2026 RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND AWARDS \u2013 LIST OF WINNERS & NOMINEES:<\/p>\n
OCC Consulting Men\u2019s 15s Players\u2019 Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Stuart McCloskey<\/p>\n
Nominees: Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan<\/p>\n
OCC Consulting Women\u2019s 15s Players\u2019 Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Cl\u00edodhna Moloney-MacDonald<\/p>\n
Nominees: Eve Higgins, Brittany Hogan<\/p>\n
Nevin Spence Men\u2019s 15s Young Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Nevin Spence<\/p>\n
Nominees: Billy Bohan, Joshua Kenny<\/p>\n
Energia Women\u2019s 15s Young Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Robyn O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n
Nominees: Dannah O\u2019Brien, Katie Whelan<\/p>\n
MSL Mercedes Benz Ballsbridge Men\u2019s 15s Try of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Robert Baloucoune (Ireland v Italy)<\/p>\n
Nominees: Dan Kelly (Munster v Glasgow Warriors), Tommy O\u2019Brien (Ireland v Scotland first try)<\/p>\n
AIB Women\u2019s 15s Try of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Eve Higgins (Ireland v Japan)<\/p>\n
Nominees: Robyn O\u2019Connor (Ireland v Italy), B\u00e9ibhinn Parsons (Ireland v Italy third try)<\/p>\n
TritonLake Women\u2019s Sevens Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Winner: Megan Burns<\/p>\n
Nominees: Alana McInerney, Robyn O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n
Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award<\/p>\n
Jack Carty<\/p>\n
Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year<\/p>\n
Ireland Men\u2019s team chasing down the Triple Crown \u2013 accepted by Stuart McCloskey<\/p>\n
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