Munster and Ireland winger Keith Earls has been voted the 2018 Players’ Player of the Year at the Zurich Irish Rugby Awards ceremony.
Earls enjoyed a fantastic season where he won a Grand Slam with Ireland, for which he was also nominated for the Six Nations player of the tournament.
He won the Munster Player Of The Year award last month and he's now ousted Tadhg Furlong, Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray for the Zurich Players’ Player of the Year award.
Earls said that he had to endure some challenges during the season but that the support of family and friends helped him to get through a difficult period following Anthony Foley's death.
“It has been a great season with many special memories for me," said Earls.
"For all the successes, there were some challenges along the way too and so it means a lot to get the recognition of my fellow players across the country. I’ve given it my all, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my teammates, friends and of course my family.”
Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland commented: “Winning a Zurich Irish Rugby Award is one of the highest honours a player can receive in the game here in Ireland. There have been many great achievements by Irish players this year, but to be acknowledged by your teammates and opponents in this manner shows just how much of an impact a player has made throughout the season. I am thrilled for Keith who has had a fantastic season, and many before that.”
Meanwhile the Mason Alexander Supporters’ Player of the Year 2018 as voted by the public was presented to Connacht’s Bundee Aki while former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll was inducted into the BNY Mellon Hall of Fame.
