Walsh also collected the award for Try of the Season with one of his nine scores of the season against Llandovery in March
The double Principality Premiership and Cup champions also received the Fair Play Award for the club with the best discipline record having picked up the least yellow and red cards.
The Best Newcomer award went to Cross Keys flanker Scott Matthews who is currently in New Zealand with the Wales Under 20 squad ahead of the Junior World Championship.
Gwyn Morris was voted referee of the season by the Principality Premiership coaches while there was recognition for the top try and points scorers. Rory Budina scored 12 tries, 11 for Bedwas and one for Newport while Geraint O’Driscoll (Newport) notched up 230 league points.
The Unsung Hero award was awarded posthumously to Byron Mugford, the former Swansea player and honorary secretary, and secretary of the Premier Division who passed away in October.
Members of the Probable and Possible squads preparing for Friday’s Senior Wales Trial were present at the event – Probables captain Alun Wyn Jones, along with centre Jamie Roberts and Rhodri Williams who starts on the Probables bench, and Andrew Coombs who will start for the Possibles. All four players cut their teeth in the Principality Premiership, and Alun Wyn Jones and Andrew Coombs are former recipients of the Best Newcomer and Player of the Year awards respectively.
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “The Principality Premiership has grown year on year, and this evening, we were able to recognise and honour just some of the talent and hard work that is seen on and off the field week in, week out in the Principality Premiership.
“The Principality Premiership is a vital part of the player pathway, underpinning professional regional rugby in Wales.
“Great strides have been made in recent years, with clubs understanding the need to close the gap between semi-professional and professional rugby and to provide a modern and welcoming environment for supporters.”
Alun Wyn Jones, who presented the Best Newcomer award said, “Playing rugby at Premiership level helped me a lot. You learn from the players and coaches around you and develop so much in a short space of time. Scott (Matthews) is a credit to his club Cross Keys and the Principality Premiership. I wish him and the rest of the Wales Under 20 side all the very best for the Junior World Championship in New Zealand.”
A Principality Premiership Dream XV, voted for by the Principality Premiership coaches was also revealed with Player of the Year Geraint Walsh making the cut, Carmarthen Quins centre Rhys Williams who was shortlisted for the award and Swansea and Ospreys props Nicky Smith and Nicky Thomas, who are in New Zealand with Wales Under 20. Top try scorer Rory Budina features on the right wing and James Davies, who is on the bench for the Possibles in Friday night’s Trial is in the back row.
Principality Premiership Awards 2014:
Player of the Year – Geraint Walsh (Pontypridd)
Coach of the Year – Paul John (Pontypridd)
Best Newcomer – Scott Matthews (Cross Keys)
Try of the Year – Geraint Walsh (Pontypridd)
Top points scorer – Geraint O’Driscoll (Newport, 230 points)
Top try scorer – Rory Budina (Bedwas, 11 tries for Bedwas, one for Newport)
Unsung Hero – Byron Mugford (Swansea, posthumous)
Fair Play Award – Pontypridd
Referee of the year award – Gwyn Morris
Principality Premiership Dream XV:
Geraint Walsh (Pontypridd); Rory Budhina (Bedwas), Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), Rhys Williams (Carmarthen Quins), Jason Harries (Carmarthen Quins); Simon Humberstone (Pontypridd), Aled Davies (Llanelli); Nicky Smith (Swansea), Ashley James (Bridgend), Nicky Thomas (Swansea), Craig Locke (Pontypridd), Haydn Pugh (Carmarthen Quins), Phil Day (Llandovery), James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Adam Powell (Cross Keys)
