Rugby fans in Mayo might have some awards to celebrate.

After a fantastic season in women's and men's rugby across the clubs participating in their competitions, Connacht Rugby have just released the lists of nominees for this year's awards.

Event to take place in Galway

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, May 24, at the Galmont Hotel in Galway, and pays tribute to the performances of our players, coaches and volunteers at all levels of the game.

READ: Women’s rugby on the rise in Ballinrobe as the senior team completes first season

There are 17 awards in all, from club and school level to the Connacht player pathway and senior men’s and women’s sides.

Tickets are on sale now at connachtrugby.ie/awards, with a special early bird price available until Friday May 2.

This black-tie event has become one of the biggest annual social events in the province, and includes a drinks reception, 4-course meal, the awards ceremony with entertainment and special guests, plus live music and DJ ‘til late.

17 awards in total

From many remarkable performances, only three nominations have been made in each of the 17 award categories, which include Academy Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and many more.

From a Mayo perspective, there have been three nominees:

Claremorris Colts talent Aoife Heaney has been nominated for the U-18 women's player of the year category. Heaney has just returned from featuring in Ireland's U-18 squad at the Six Nations tournament. 

A second nomination for Mayo is Ballinrobe RFC fly-half Dylan Keane. He was instrumental in the team's run, with a chance of gaining promotion to the Connacht J1A League. Unfortunately, from a Mayo perspective, Ballinrobe were denied promotion by a superior Ballinasloe team. Keane was nominated in the Junior Club Player of the Year.

Also nominated: Rice College Westport in the category School of the Year.

READ: IRFU President set to attend major Mayo rugby event

List of all nominations:

U18 Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Sound to Light

Leo Anic – CBS Roscommon / Creggs RFC

Andrew Henson – Marist College / Buccaneers RFC

Dara Walsh – Coláiste Éinde / Corinthians RFC

U18 Women’s Player of the Year, sponsored by RDJ

Ailbhe Gannon – Tuam-Oughterard RFC

Aoife Heaney – Mount St. Michael Claremorris / Claremorris RFC

Siofra Hession – The Convent Roscommon / Creggs RFC

U19 Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Western Postform

Charlie Keane – Coláiste Bhaile Chláir / Corinthians RFC

Diarmaid O’Connell – Sligo Grammar / Corinthians RFC

Sean Walsh – Coláiste Éinde / Corinthians RFC

Academy Player of the Year, sponsored by University of Galway

Billy Bohan

John Devine

Finn Treacy

Referee of the Year, sponsored by Heineken

David Burke

Mark Harrigan

Cathal Roddy

Coach of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte

Seán Breathnach – An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí

Kolo Kiripati – Creggs RFC

Paddy Peason – Sligo Rugby

Women’s Club Player of the Year

Jemima Adams Verling – Creggs RFC

Molly Boote – Tuam-Oughterard RFC

Louise Kelly – OLBC-Corinthians RFC

Men’s Junior Club Player of the Year, sponsored by Laya

Brian Diffley – Creggs RFC

Dylan Keane – Ballinrobe RFC

Shane Purcell – Creggs RFC

Men’s Senior Club Player of the Year

Stephen Mannion – Galwegians RFC

Corey Reid – Buccaneers RFC

Joey Tierney – Corinthians RFC

School of the Year, sponsored by University of Galway

Marist College Athlone

Rice College Westport

Sligo Grammar School

Club of the Year, sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Carrick-on-Shannon RFC

Corinthians RFC

Creggs RFC

Connacht Rugby Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by Aerogen

Winner announced on the night

Try of the Year, sponsored by G-P

Nominees announced Monday 12th May

Fans’ Player of the Year

Nominees announced Monday 19th May

Women’s Player of the Year, sponsored by G-P

Nominees announced Wednesday 21st May

Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Genesys

Nominees announced Thursday 22nd May

Connacht Rugby Lifetime Contribution Award, sponsored by Galway Crystal

Winner announced on the night