Brian O'Driscoll is named Player of the Year following his performances for Ireland and Leinster

Brian O'Driscoll and his Ireland and Leinster colleagues lifted the major honours at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland awards dinner in Dublin.

O'Driscoll received the player of the year prize while the Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland were the natural choice at team of the year.

Leinster pipped Ballynahinch as club of year after their Heineken Cup success.

Ireland's bagman for 13 years, Paddy 'Rala' O'Reilly, was honoured with the Tom Rooney Memorial Trophy.

Two former Ireland stars were honoured with back-row experts in Fergus Slattery and Ronnie Kavanagh inducted into the Hall of Fame.

O'Driscoll was the natural choice to take the player award. Not only did he lead Ireland with verve to their first Grand Slam for 51 years, but his crucial tries against England and Wales were the difference in tight battles.

He also was a major influence as Leinster defeated Leicester to lift the Heineken Cup for the first time.

During the Lions tour to South Africa, O'Driscoll as again the stand-out player alongside his centre partner Jamie Roberts.

Because they had won the European crown for the first time, Leinster were afforded the title of Club of the Year.

However, Ballynahinch ran them close after winning the AIB Cup, the Ulster League and Cup double and promotion to Division One of the All Ireland League for the first time.

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