Fez, Rob or ROG? Who gets your vote for Ireland’s Player of the Year?

The nominees are in for the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association Player of the Year, so out of Stephen Ferris, Rob Kearney and Ronan O’Gara, who would get your vote?

Surprisingly for three players of such talent and stature, none of the three nominees have won the award in the past, but all are worthy candidates after some standout performances throughout the campaign.

Despite only recovering from a major injury setback in time for the Rugby World Cup, Ulster flanker and one-man wrecking ball Stephen Ferris had an inspirational tournament and was particularly outstanding during the memorable victory over Australia in the pool stages.

He was arguably Ireland’s stand out player during the recent Six Nations and his importance to his Ulster was illustrated in his man of the match display in the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat of Munster, which came only days after he was struggling to walk having been forced to withdraw through injury in the defeat of Aironi a week previous.

Like Ferris, Rob Kearney was short on playing time before the Rugby World Cup, but slotted back in as if he had never been away and quickly returned to the form that saw him make such an impression on the Lions Tour in 2009.

Brilliant during the Six Nations, Kearney’s glue-like hands gleefully mopped up every Garryowen sent in his direction, while at both provincial and international level, he added an attacking thrust that was previously and a tad harshly considered to be lacking from his game.

The final nominee, Ronan O’Gara, needs little introduction, but despite being in a stage where he should be reaching for the pipe and slippers, he has instead played some of his best rugby this season.

The Munster man wrestled the number ten jersey off Jonathan Sexton during the Rugby World Cup and made some valuable contributions to Munster, not least the two dramatic late drop goals during the pool stages of the Heineken Cup.

Elsewhere, Ulster’s Craig Gilroy, Leinster’s Ian Madigan and Munster’s Peter O’Mahony will battle it out for the Young Player of the Year gong, while Gilroy is also in the running for Try of the Year for his exceptional effort against Munster, with Brian O’Driscoll’s recent try against Cardiff Blues and Niall Ronan’s touchdown against Llanelli Scarlets also in the running.

2012 will also see the inaugural IRUPA Hibernia College Medal for Excellence which will be awarded to the individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the game both on and off field. Leinster’s Shane Jennings, Connacht’s Ronan Loughney and Munster’s Mick O’Driscoll are the first nominees for this award.

Commenting on the awards, Brian O'Driscoll, Chairman of IRUPA said: "Winning an IRUPA award, which is voted for by the players who you play with and against, is the best mark of respect for any rugby player.

"The Player of the Year Award itself is particularly well regarded, as it rewards consistency over the entire year in both the international and provincial game."

The 160-odd members of the IRUPA will cast their votes in the coming weeks (they can't vote for somebody from their own province) and the award winners will be announced at the tenth edition of the annual IRUPA awards on Wednesday 9 May at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin.

IRUPA award nominations:

Players’ Player of the Year: Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster).

Young Player of the Year: Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Ian Madigan (Leinster) Peter O’Mahony (Munster).

Try of the Year: Craig Gilroy (Munster v Ulster, Heineken Cup) Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster v Cardiff Blues, Heineken Cup), Niall Ronan (Llanelli Scarlets v Munster, Heineken Cup).

Medal for Excellence: Shane Jennings (Leinster), Ronan Loughney (Connacht), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster).