The ceremony aims to celebrate achievement and development in the game of rugby at all levels in Ulster and the award categories cover areas of school, youth, club and professional rugby.

The coveted top award of the evening, the Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year went to Ulster second row, Justin Harrison. Great company, intelligent and good humoured off the field, Harrison is the ultimate professional in terms of preparation and analysis pre match, and a thorn in the side for the opposition and referees on the pitch. The view of many is that he has been Ulster's "best buy" of the professional era and he has become a huge favourite with his team mates, supporters and the media.

 Justin's mum Judy picks up his award from Terry Loughins of Guinness and Ian Graham, President of the Ulster Branch

With the Ulster team in Wales ahead of their crucial Celtic League match against Llanelli on Friday night, award winners Andrew Trimble (Ulster Player of the Year), Stephen Ferris (Young Player of the Year) and Harrison appeared via video, taking the opportunity to thank the Ulster coaching staff, their team-mates, the supporters and express their delight at winning their individual awards.

The award winners in full are as follows:

Calor Gas Ulster Youth Player of the Year - William Stewart
William is a very strong dynamic centre from Ballyclare RFC and his pace and his intelligent lines of running have split even the best organised defences.  He is very strong in the tackle and very few get past him.  He has played for two years for the Ulster Youth side.

Northern Bank Ulster Schools Player of the Year - Stephen Douglas
Stephen is a very capable player who leads from the front, never taking a backward step in thought or play. However, it is his ability as a Captain and leader of fellow players that singles him out as a rich talent for the future and commands respect of all those around him.

Kukri Sportswear Club of the Year - Rainey Old Boys RFC
Rightful acclaim has been given to the success of the Rainey 1st XV having won Section 1 of the Kukri Qualifying League, the inaugural AIB All-Ireland Junior Cup and their tremendous success in attaining Senior Club status for the first time. However recognition must also be given to the 3rd XV in winning Section 5 of the Rent-A-Merc Junior League and to their U14, U16 and U18 teams on winning their respective sections of the youth League. The U18 team also won the U18 Plate and reached the final of the Nutty Krust Tournament. 

Dorrington B. Faulkner Award sponsored by Perennials RFC - Ian Beggs
Ian has been a stalwart of Carrickfergus RFC for six decades serving as the club's Honorary Secretary for 38 years and he has been the club's representative at the Ulster Branch since 1973. He was one of the founding members of the Carrick Sevens Tournament, and while this year will be his last on that particular Committee, he will continue his involvement with the club as a Trustee. Ian has also been a committed servant of the Ulster Branch and has served on the Clubs, Branch and Competitions Management Committees and has been a steward at Ravenhill for more than 20 years. 

First Trust Bank Club Player of the Year - Glenn Moore, Queens RFC
Glenn is a versatile back-row forward, an excellent ball carrier and hard hitting in the tackle. With his pace of the back of the scrum and powerful running style he has scored several superb tries for the students this season.

Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year - Andrew Trimble
Earmarked by the Coaching Staff at the start of the 2004-05 season as one who would go all the way, he certainly has.  In August he hadn't played for Ulster and by April he was an "established International".  Strength beyond his years and an elusive running style mean Andrew will be around for years to come.

Belfast Telegraph Merit Award - Keith Patton
A school master by trade Keith has coached at Schools, Schools Inter-Provincial and Schools International Level. He has coached at Senior Club

level and managed teams both provincially and Internationally. Successful in nearly everything he does, he capped his two magnificent Irish Schools Tours in Australia with his management of this year's Irish Under 19 team in Dubai.

UTV Young Player of the Year - Stephen Ferris
Having come through the Ulster Youth Team there was always considered to be a huge talent about to come through but this 20 year old has matured faster than many had expected.  He has broken into the full Ulster Team showing his adaptability in the No. 7 shirt while primarily being a Number 8.

Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year - Justin Harrison
A man of three parts, Justin is great company,  intelligent and good humoured off the field;  the ultimate professional in terms of preparation and analysis pre match;  and he is a thorn in the side of the opposition and referees on the pitch. In many people's view, he has been Ulster's "best buy" of the professional era and he has become a huge favourite with his team- mates, supporters and the media.

"The Awards are the highlight of the rugby season and it is fitting that they reconise all aspects of the game, both on and off the pitch" said Terry Loughins of Diageo Northern Ireland. "Guinness and rugby are synonmous with one another, not only in Ireland but with rugby supporters and players across the globe and here in Northern Ireland we are proud of our relationship with Ulster Rugby and look forward to the continuation of our sponsorship of the Awards for many years to come."