Humph scoops ultimate accolade

Rugby

David Humprhreys, pictured with his wife Jane, ended his career on a high by winning the Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year award last night

Friday, May 16, 2008

By Gavin Mairs

David Humphreys took a centre stage role for the last time when he brought the curtain down on his glittering career by scooping the coveted Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year award last night.

It was the perfect finale, the culmination of a career that spanned 16 years at club, provincial and international level.

The 36-year-old, who won the last of his 163 caps for Ulster in last Friday's Magners League game against Cardiff Blues, was accorded an emotional standing ovation at the climax of the Ulster Rugby Award gala banquet in the La Mon House Hotel.

Although Humphreys, who also won 72 Ireland caps, started only three games for Ulster this season because of an Achilles injury, the judging panel felt his immense contribution and influence since making his debut against Cumbria in 1992 merited the highest recognition.

In all, he scored 1,585 points for Ulster as well as 560 for Ireland.

"At times David has been almost single-handedly responsible for raising the profile of Ulster Rugby, particularly on the international scene, reflected by the fact that earlier this month he was inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame," said Ulster chief executive Michael Reid.

"It is typical of the man he is, that when he looks back over his 163 appearances for Ulster, the seemingly smaller moments, the friendships, camaraderie and laughter will probably evoke memories just as powerful as those of his trophy achievements, a European Cup, a Celtic Cup and a Celtic League trophy and countless Man of the Match Awards.

"David Humphreys is honoured, not just for what he has done for Ulster Rugby this year, but for what he has contributed to the Province throughout a career that spans over 16 years. It's hard to imagine what life at Ulster Rugby will be like without him next season."

Ulster will also have to imagine life without Tommy Bowe, who landed the Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of Year award before he joins the Ospreys next season.

Bowe was one of Ulster's stand-out players this season, despite the team's collapse in form, and his form saw a well deserved return to Ireland's international line-up for this season's Six Nations campaign.

With more minutes on the pitch than any other Ulster player this season, and the top try-scorer to boot, Bowe will be greatly missed next season.

The Vodafone Young Ulster Player of the year award went to Niall O'Connor for breaking into the senior team this season.

The Kukri Club of the Year Award went to Armagh RFC, whose 1st XV won the Powerade Towns Cup, the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and the Past Players Cup and, in a very competitive Kukri Qualifying League, finished in third place. The 2nd XV won the Magners Junior League (Section 3) and were finalists in the Harden Cup.

The Northern Bank Ulster Schools Player of the Year went to Coleraine Inst's Jonathan Shiells for representing Ireland Under-19s while the Calor Gas Ulster Youth Player of the Year went to Ballynahinch's James Simpson, who represented the Irish Youth Team for the FIRA Tournament in Italy.

First Trust Bank Club Player of the Year went to Queen's University's Ian Porter while the Belfast Telegraph Award for Special Merit went to Latimer Adair of Ballynahinch for his outstanding commitment to his club.