The AIB/Irish Times team of the season was honoured at a lunch in AIB Bankcentre in Ballsbridge yesterday at which they received their awards. The team comprises the outstanding players in the AIB League Division One in their respective positions.
All 16 Division One coaches were invited to put forward three of their players as well as three of the best players they had noted on opposing teams.
These nominations along with the input of Irish Times rugby correspondents Gerry Thornley, John O'Sullivan, Johnny Watterson and Gavin Cummiskey decided the composition of the AIB/Irish Times team of the season.
Division One champions Shannon had three representatives, John Lacey (winning his third award), Tom Cregan and captain Tom Hayes (winning his second successive award), while the beaten finalists, Cork Constitution, contributed two, centre Conrad O'Sullivan and flanker Ultan O'Callaghan.
AIB/IRISH TIMES TEAM OF THE SEASON: J Lacey (Shannon); T Cregan (Shannon), C O'Sullivan (Cork Constitution), M Sweetman (Carlow), W Slabbert (Belfast Harlequins); I Humphreys (Ballymena), R Spee (Belfast Harlequins); M Cahill (Buccaneers), D Blaney (UCD), D Clare (St Mary's College); D Gannon (Blackrock College), T Hayes (Shannon); U O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution), D Kelly (Buccaneers), N Ronan (Lansdowne).
