Paul O’Connell picked up another award for the mantelpiece this evening

DEPARTING IRISH RUGBY captain Paul O’Connell has claimed another piece of silverware this evening, after being named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year.

O’Connell was presented with the award at the annual ceremony at the Guinness Storehouse this evening, after captaining Ireland to a second Six Nations championship in a row this year, before helping Munster reach the Guinness Pro12 final in May.

It’s the second time O’Connell has been honoured by the Rugby Writers of Ireland after winning the award nine years ago, and comes just three months after he was also named IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year.

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O’Connell was also named Six Nations Player of the Championship in March.

The Toulon-bound second row said the award was a testament to the work put in by his teammates throughout the season.

Sophie Spence was the big winner in women’s rugby, with the rugby writers choosing her as the standout player for Ireland in their Six Nations championship winning season.

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The Leinster and Old Belvedere second row says she has to pinch herself when she sees the names of previous winners of the award.

“It’s something you can only dream of. I didn’t think I had my best performances this year, but I really enjoyed it and it’s come as a big surprise when I see the other players who have won it like Claire Molloy, Lynne Cantwell and Niamh Briggs so it’s fantastic.

“It’s nice to see our forwards getting the recognition, too. Our pack has had a lot of continuity in the past season which helped us deliver real consistency so this award is as much about the forwards as anything else.”

Ulster Bank League champions Lansdowne were named Club of the Year, following their second AIL title in three years.

The Tom Rooney Award, which is given to someone who makes an exceptional contribtion to the game, was awarded to Cork Constitution’s underage hero Fred Casey, who has devoted more than 40 years to the club.

And finally there were two inductees to the Guinness Hall of Fame, with former Irish captain and current chairman of the British and Irish Lions Board Tom Grace honoured, as well as former Irish and Lions centre David Hewitt.