![\"Stuart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/002412d5-614.jpg\"\/)
\nStuart McCloskey was one of Ireland’s stand-out players<\/p>\n
Stuart McCloskey and Cl\u00edodhna Maloney-MacDonald have won the Rugby Players Ireland Player of the Year awards.<\/p>\n
Ulster and Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey was trecognised by his fellow players as the OCC Consulting Men’s Players\u2019 Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
A hugely influential figure throughout the season for both province and country, the award caps an extraordinary campaign for the 33-year-old.<\/p>\n
Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan, and last year\u2019s winner and British and Irish Lions Player of the Series Tadhg Beirne were also on the shortlist.<\/p>\n
\nStuart McCloskey was one of Ireland’s stand-out players<\/p>\n
McCloskey said: “I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s any world in which I would have imagined myself receiving this award this time last year.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve really enjoyed this season and having the opportunity to test myself against the very best in the game.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m also honoured to share the field with many great players, and to have this acknowledgment from them is very special.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Moloney-MacDonald was named the OCC Consulting Women\u2019s Players\u2019 Player of the Year ahead of fellow nominees Eve Higgins and Brittany Hogan.<\/p>\n
![\"24](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/002316d7-614.jpg\"\/)
\nCl\u00edodhna Moloney-MacDonald in action at the World Cup<\/p>\n
Having made her debut in 2015, Moloney-MacDonald is one of Irish rugby\u2019s longest-serving internationals and won her 50th cap during the Guinness Women\u2019s Six Nations.<\/p>\n
Recalled in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, Moloney-MacDonald has brought invaluable experience to a young and exciting squad that played before a record crowd last weekend.<\/p>\n
The Exeter Chiefs hooker said: “It 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
“I\u2019m proud to have played my part over the years and while award feels like a full circle moment, I know there is plenty of road in the journey to go.”<\/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 Tackle Your Feelings and other charitable causes.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea 35-14 \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 \ud83d\udcf1https:\/\/t.co\/UQOII1DNda<\/a> \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) August 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men\u2019s XVs Try of the Year went to Ulster wing Rob Baloucoune for his try against Italy, while Higgins claimed the AIB Women\u2019s XVs Try of the Year following a memorable breakaway score against Japan during the World Cup.<\/p>\n Robyn O\u2019Connor prevailed as the Energia Women\u2019s XVs Young Player of the Year after a breakthrough season that included a try-scoring Irish debut, while Ulster\u2019s Bryn Ward was the Nevin Spence Men\u2019s XVs Young Player of the Year Award.<\/p>\n Megan Burns was named as the Triton Lake Women\u2019s 7s Player of the Year, Ireland\u2019s successful pursuit of another Triple Crown as 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 Listen to the RT\u00c9 Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> or wherever you get your podcasts<\/a>, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie<\/p>\n \n Follow a live blog of Ulster v Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final (Friday, 8pm) and Leinster v Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final (Saturday, 2.45pm) on RT\u00c9.ie\/sport and RT\u00c9 News app.<\/p>\n Listen to live commentary of the Champions Cup final on Saturday Sport on RT\u00c9 Radio 1. <\/p>\n
A sliding doors moment as Eve Higgins runs the length of the field for an intercept try #WRWC2025<\/a><\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcfbhttps:\/\/t.co\/VgaQpwGjHu<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UfP4DqsBu9<\/a><\/p>\n