The joint award will be presented in the Clan Bar after Friday's game against Glasgow.
A dead heat in the polls mean that this year's award will be shared by Kieran Marmion and Robbie Henshaw, with both young men enjoying phenomenal success in their breakthrough year with Connacht, despite beginning the season as academy players.
A second year academy player, twenty year old Kieran Marmion was given an opportunity to start at scrumhalf for Connacht at the beginning of the season, one that he has grabbed with both hands. As of now, he is the only player in the entire Connacht squad who has started every game this season. He has represented Ireland at U-18, U-19 and U-20 level and looks sure to be a part of the senior side over the coming years. The ever-present Marmion has been a vital component in the Connacht team this season, his speed and pinpoint accurate passing providing the perfect foil to Dan Parks at outhalf. Never looking out of place in one of the busiest positions on the rugby pitch, his maturity, skill and consistency have been exemplary so far, and he can only continue to improve.
One year after completing his Leaving Cert and captaining his school team, Marist College in Athlone, to victory in the Connacht Senior Cup, nineteen year old Robbie Henshaw is being mentioned as the potential starting fullback for the Ireland team that travels to America this summer. Rarely in Irish sport does one so young make such an impression in their first year. Since coming in for the injured Gavin Duffy early this season, Robbie has gone from strength to strength, and has looked incredibly assured at this level. His speed, composure and ability in the air for Connacht so impressed former Ireland coach Declan Kidney that he was drafted into the Irish Wolfhounds team that played the England Saxons last year in the Sportsground. Robbie is a rare talent at the beginning of an incredible journey, one that we can all count ourselves lucky we are able to witness.
Join us in the Clan Bar after the Glasgow game on Friday to congratulate Kieran and Robbie on becoming the Connacht Clan Young Players of the Year 2013.