Ulster legend David Humphreys, who made his last appearance in an Ulster shirt against Cardiff last Friday night at Ravenhill, scooped the top accolade of Guinness Personality of the Year, marking his enormous commitment to Ulster Rugby in a career that has spanned sixteen years and rounding off his last season of professional rugby in style.

The award winners in full were as follows:

Calor Gas Ulster Youth Player of the Year – James Simpson (Ballynahinch)

In his second year in the Ulster Youth Squad, James, who is a member of the Ballynahinch club, moved from the 2nd row to occupy the No8 position this season. Equally adept at both positions, he is a strong ball carrier who gets through a tremendous amount of work and his superb lineout displays earned him a place in the Irish Youth Team for the FIRA Tournament in Italy.

Northern Bank Ulster Schools Player of the Year – Jonathan Shiells (Coleraine Inst)

A talented centre who has the ability to crack the tightest of defences, Jonathan captained Coleraine Inst to the final of the Northern bank Schools’ Subsidiary Shield competition this year and his consistently high standard of performance soon brought him to the attention of the U19 Schools’ management Team. He played a leading role in the success of that team and his consistent performances and hard work were rewarded when he was selected to play for the Irish u19 team against both Italy and France.

Kukri Club of the Year – Armagh RFC

This was an excellent year for the club in both Cup and League competitions. The 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 3rd place. The 2nd XV won the Magners Junior League (Section 3) and were finalists in the Harden Cup, while the 3rd XV were winners of the Guinness Minor League South. At Youth Level, the U18s won the Bell Lawrie Conference and contested the final of the U18 Cup while the U16s were runners up in their Bell Lawrie Conference League.

Ken Goodall Award for the Outstanding Athlete at the Sports Institute – Ian Whitten

This ex Wallace High School player who has been recognised nationally at u18, U19 and U20 level has thoroughly embraced the ethos of the Sports Institute and Ulster Academy structures with his very professional approach to his rugby and dedication to improving his skills and abilities.
Dorrington B Faulkner Award for Services to Rugby – David Wishart (Dungannon RFC)
David has given a lifetime of commitment to Dungannon Rugby Club both as a player and administrator and his Presidential year 2000/2001 will be remembered as the year in which Dungannon won the All Ireland Championship. Since then he has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Club dealing with many issues but most noticeably in the area of rebuilding and maintaining the playing strengths of the Junior and Minor League teams. 

Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year – Tommy Bowe

One of Ulster’s stand-out players this season, Tommy’s form for his Province 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 a top try scorer to boot, Tommy will be much missed when he transfers to Ospreys next season.

First Trust Bank Club Player of the Year – Ian Porter (Queens University RFC)

A member of the very impressive Queens University 1st XV, Ian is an up and coming Ulster scrum-half who displays natural ability and a determination to progress further within the game

Belfast Telegraph Award for Special Merit – Latimer Adair (Ballynahinch RFC)

A former pupil of the Royal School Armagh and a member of their School’s Cup winning team of 1977, Latimer is recognised also for his outstanding contribution made to his club, Ballynahinch RFC, through seventeen years of total commitment as YouthConvenor during which time he has developed a youth structure which is the envy of other Clubs. Each year he introduces a steady flow of ‘home grown’ talent into the adult ranks and these players have sustained the seven adult teams at his Club, including notably the 1st XV. He was instrumental in the Club being awarded a ‘Clubmark’ recognition by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and ensures that all necessary training is undertaken by other volunteers.

Vodafone Young Ulster Player of the year – Niall O’Connor

From the Ulster Academy to a summer spent training with the senior squad, Niall’s ability saw him catapulted into centre-stage at the start of this season. He has had big boots to fill, but mentored by David Humphreys and highly rated by the coaching staff, he has shown not only talent, but a great commitment and dedication to developing his skills.

Guinness Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year – David Humphreys

This season, injury has forced him out of match action, but as a senior player David has been a pillar of strength in a squad that has endured a great deal this year, and has successfully mentored one of Ulster Rugby’s hottest young prospects through his first season of professional rugby
At times responsible, for almost single-handedly raising the profile of Ulster Rugby, particularly on the international scene earlier this month was inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame.

It is typical of the man he is, that when he looks back over in the course of 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.