The UAFC

Who is your:

Breakthrough of the year
Unsung hero of the year
Player of the year

EOS
Cave
Coetzee

For me I'd go with:

Breakthrough: Eric O'Sullivan (special mention to Rob Baloucoune and Michael Lowry) Pretty unbelievable, actually in the pre-season game when he was listed, I was a bit irritated, thinking that having a 22 yo prop in the academy was a sign of us picking up scraps because we couldn't afford anything better, from that to being one of our most consistent performers and one of the first names on the team sheet in a couple of months is amazing. Awesome engine, great work ethic, scrummaging not there yet but improving, class player!

Unsung hero: Alan O'Connor (special mention to Nick Timoney and Andy Warwick). Very under-rated player IMO, and it must be frustrating for him to captain the team, play really well, and then more often than not get dropped for big games as Treads has been preferred (and in fairness has also had a very good season). I saw in the Pro 14 stats that Ulster have 2 players in the top 5 tackle completion rates, Nick T and AOC.

Player of the year: Marcell Coetzee (pretty much split decision with Stu McCloskey). Marcell gets the nod for me because while Stu has been outstanding, he has been now for a couple of years, whereas Marcell has shown us what we've been missing (and made mugs out of a few people who thought he was finished 6 weeks into the season!) An absolute wrecking ball on the carry, sorted out his early season defensive positioning lapses, brilliant instincts over the ball, for me he's the best 8 in the league (yes even including Mata). Game changer for us, here's hoping he stays fit for the next 3 years!

Breakthrough - O'Sullivan
Unsung - Herring
Player of the Year - Coetzee

I thiught Tender was UAFC breahthrough of the year.

Breakthrough - Shane Logan


Broken through his own errors.

Cap'n Grumpy wrote:Breakthrough - Shane Logan


Broken through his own errors.

.. and certainly unsung ... and quite a player ... allegedly ...

EoS
McCloskey
Coetzee

Club Fellowships to D Cave C Henry and Rory Best


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EOS although Bobby B also looks like a real find.

Les Kiss - his unjust sacking galvanised the troops and the Heineken qualification against the odds ensured that the lads had some big games to look forward to this term. Capped it all by bringing Paddy home. Well, home to the UK anyway.

Marcel.

big mervyn wrote:I thiught Tender was UAFC breahthrough of the year.

High praise from a genius. Cheers Merv

EOS
McCloskey, with AOC a very close second
Coatzee

Brillo is UAFC prayer of the year.

Cap'n Grumpy wrote:Breakthrough - Shane Logan


Broken through his own errors.

Good to see that eventually you saw the light , don’t be to hard on yourself , some can see a charlatan miles away .

I wonder has JP found the Col war chest yet.

Shame Logan, Breaking Rugby Clubs since 2010, gone but will not be forgotten.

Oh sorry went off piste there

Breakthrough - O'Sullivan
Unsung - Sarah McSherry
Player of the Year - Bangor Steamroller Big Balls McCloskey

I think in the main most can agree with the top 2 or 3 on each of these awards. I'll add another award, most disappointing award I would give to Adam McBurney. Was hoping he would come through as a quality 3rd choice hooker putting pressure on Herring but for whatever reason it didn't happen. Hopefully he can push on next year because there is obviously huge shoes to fill now.

Certainly getting rid of Logie was the best move in years, mind you getting him in the first place was the worst move after getting rid of McLaughlin.
A couple of moves this year they will regret also I think.