Contepomi receives his award from BBC NI journalist Jim Stokes

Contepomi was the choice of the Irish writers despite helping to knock out Ireland from this year's World Cup.

Ulsterman and Lions hooker Ken Kennedy was inducted into the writers hall of fame along with another former Ireland international Alan Duggan.

Garryowen won the club award, Phil Orr took the Tom Rooney award while the Ireland U20s won team of the year.

Orr was manager of the Under-20 squad which won this year's Grand Slam.

The Tom Rooney award is awarded for an "exceptional contribution" to the game while the Ireland Under-20s picked up the Dave Guiney perpetual award.