Humble O’Connor is Oldham’s prize guy

treble tops... Roughyeds full-back Paul O’Connor with his three awards.

PAUL O’CONNOR cleaned up at the Oldham RL club’s player presentation evening held at the Whitebank Stadium.

The full-back, who made his 100th appearance for the Roughyeds this season, had his hands full after winning a hat-trick of awards.

He picked up the player of the year prize, chosen by coach, Tony Benson, the players’ player of the year and also the supporters’ player of the year, sponsored by the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

The tough-as-teak 26-year-old received high praise from Benson, who described him as “the stand-out performer and a true professional”, and team-mate Valu Bentley, who said O’Connor “had the heart of a lion and the respect of every one of his fellow players.”

O’Connor, who was pipped by Neil Roden for the junior supporters’ player of the year gong, said: “It was very humbling to receive three trophies and especially so to be voted player of the year by supporters and by my team-mates.

“Fans pay money to come and watch us play and their support is valued and appreciated by the players. I was embarrassed to listen to some of the nice things they said about me.

“Valu Bentley explained to everyone why my peers in the dressing room voted for me and what he said put a lump in my throat. But it’s a team game and it’s all about doing it for your mates.

“I’m really excited about the prospects of playing York in the play-offs next Sunday. I can’t wait.

“I thought we would win each of the last three Grand Finals, but I think the difference this year is that we are more of a team — we have a great group of lads.”