Conor Murray given highest honour as IRUPA awards recognise six Irish players

Conor Murray is the Zurich IRUPA Players' Player of the Year.

The Munster man has enjoyed another wonderful season that saw his province advance to the European semi-finals and his country bury over a century of hurt with a stunning win against New Zealand. All the while, he has been effortless, he has been genius, he has been a leader of men. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/795624095404740608 And, at the 15th annual award ceremony, the scrumhalf beat off Tadhg Furlong, Rob Henshaw and CJ Stander to pick up the Players' Player of the Year gong.

"It has been an incredible season and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed," Murray said. "We have had our challenges and some sad days along the way, but to have both Munster and Ireland performing at the highest level has been very satisfying. "Being recognized in this way by my peers is special – I just hope that I can continue to do my job in the important games that are to come."

Elsewhere, Garry Ringrose scooped the Young Player of the Year award after bursting onto the international scene in November. Tadhg Furlong received the supporters' player of the year. ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2017 Winner: Conor Murray - Munster Nominations: Tadhg Furlong - Leinster Robbie Henshaw - Leinster Conor Murray - Munster CJ Stander - Munster NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016 Winner: Garry Ringrose - Leinster Nominations: Joey Carbery - Leinster Garry Ringrose - Leinster Darren Sweetnam - Munster VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2017 Winner: Robbie Henshaw Ireland v New Zealand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPYeFpDtXDs Vodafone Medal for Excellence 2017 Winner: Ronan Loughney - Connacht BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2017 Inducted: Geordan Murphy - Leicester Tigers The IRISH TIMES SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2017 Winner: Tadhg Furlong - Leinster BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XVS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2017 Lindsay Peat WOMEN’S 7S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2017 Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2017 Hannah Tyrrell & Jake Heenan