Denis Hickie took the top honour during the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards dinner in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Hickie just pipped veteran Peter Clohessy for the Player of the Year title following a superbly-consistent season for Ireland and Leinster.

Hickie's success prevented a Munster clean sweep of titles.

Limerick side Shannon lifted the Club of the Year title following their overwhelming success in the domestic game.

Downturn

Coach Niall O'Donovan collected the Tom Rooney Memorial Trophy for his contribution to Shannon and Munster over the past decade.

The Guinness Hall of Fame was run in conjunction with the awards with two great Irish props, Syd Millar and Ray McLoughlin, being the honoured duo.

But it was the first occasion that 26-year-old Hickie was named as top player.

The Dubliner onto the scene four years ago, but his career took a downturn following Ireland's summer tour to South Africa in 1999.

However, the St Mary's College star bounced back from injury in the Millennium and was unlucky not to have made the Lions tour to Australia last summer.

Outstanding

His good form continued this season, and although more noted as a brilliant attacking player with pace to burn, his defence is now second to none.

He turned in a brave individual performance when Ireland were tortured by England at Twickenham last February.

Capped 29 times for Ireland, he took his try count in internationals to 13 this season, matching his great friend Brian O'Driscoll.

This is the fifth occasion that Shannon have been the most outstanding club in the country.

They not only won the AIB League title, but also the Munster Senior League and Cup with success also repeated right down through the lower teams.

O'Donovan was part of that success in the late Nineties when he was Shannon coach during three of the AIB League wins and Director of Rugby on another.

Innovatative

O'Donovan moved on to be assistant to Declan Kidney in Munster's great run during the Heineken Cup success over recent years.

Following Munster's defeat agaisnt Leicester, O'Donovan is now forwards' coach to the full Ireland side.

Meanwhile, Millar and McLoughlin follow a long list of greats to enter Irish rugby's Hall of Fame.

Millar, who made five Lions tours as player, coach and manager is one of Ireland's representatives on the International Rugby Board.

McLoughlin, like Millar a Lions tourist, won 40 caps for Ireland and was said to be one of the most innovative captains in international rugby.