Coach hails O’Connor

Photo: DAVE MURGATROYD

HONOURS . . . Roughyeds junior supporters’ player of the year Neil Roden is flanked by Grant and Sheila Summerville, who received the joint clubman of the year prize.

ROUGHYEDS full-back Paul O’Connor was praised as a true professional by his coach Tony Benson, following his domination at the club’s annual presentation evening.

The 26-year-old claimed three of the four major trophies on offer at the Whitebank Stadium event, attended by more than 100 fans — and even needed a hand taking the haul back to his car at the end of the night.

O’Connor has enjoyed his best-ever season in professional rugby, with his never-say-die attitude playing a big role in driving Oldham on to their excellent regular-season finish in second place in Co-operative Championship One.

Benson, who is currently preparing his troops for the big qualifying play-off home test with York City Knights on Sunday, gave his reasoning for handing O’Connor the overall player of the year award, sponsored by Mark Bates and Sons Ltd.

“He’s a real champion in every sense,” Benson said. “It was a tough decision. Several players were up there. I have a full team of battlers, but one bloke stood out in every aspect and that was Paul O’Connor.

“I look at the game differently from many people, considering not only what we see on the field, but how players react to training and other things like that.

“His professionalism is first class, and he happens to score a lot of tries too.”

O’Connor’s trophy for players’ player of the year, sponsored by JCM Commercials, was presented by Keith Mullaney after Roughyeds loose forward Valu Bentley gave the full-back more fulsome praise.

“He’s only a little fella, but every time he gets smashed he jumps up again,” said Bentley.

“He’s got the biggest heart of any player I’ve ever come across, and I’ve played with a lot of good players in my time. You would never know how much respect I have for this guy.”

In the poll to find the supporters’ player of the year, the trophy sponsored by the Chronicle and presented by sports editor Kevin Richardson, O’Connor held off stiff competition from stand-off Neil Roden and rookie forward Chris Clarke.

The only other major award on the playing side, the junior supporters’ player of the year, was sponsored by Hollands and claimed by Roden, with O’Connor second in this vote.

Grant and Sheila Somerville, later to receive a joint clubman of the year prize for their sterling work behind the scenes, handed the trophy to Neil, who heaped praise on his team-mates.

“Everyone wrote us off before the season began, but we have at the club one of the best sets of lads I’ve ever played with,” said Roden.

“I reckon I’ve still got a season or two in me yet and I would love to carry on playing here next year. Hopefully, we can sort something out.”