The flying winger, who has 92 caps for Ulster and scored 170 points, is leaving the Province to join Welsh side, Neath-Swansea Ospreys from next season and being named winner of the accolade at the La Mon House Hotel was the perfect way for him to bow out having been named as Guinness Personality of the Year in 2005.

Bowe earned his first Ulster cap against Connacht in 2004, scoring on his debut in a 42-27 win at Ravenhill.

Having already starred at two World Cups at Under-21 level, Bowe became the first Monaghan player in 80 years to turn out for his country when he made his Irish international debut in 2004 – also scoring a try on that first outing in the green shirt.

He has gone on to play 23 caps for Ireland and his performances for Ulster this season certainly left former Irish boss, Eddie O'Sullivan, with no option but to include him on the starting Six Nations panel having surprisingly dropped him for the World Cup in France.

This year, Bowe has played in 23 matches for Ulster and is the player with the most minutes (1.280) on the pitch, as well as scoring eight tries.

He beat off stiff competition from Matt McCullough, who had another outstanding season with Ulster in the backrow, and Irish international hooker, Rory Best, winner of the Personality of the Year award last year.

Joining Bowe in the professional awards winners gallery last night was talented outhalf, Niall O'Connor, who sprang from the Ulster Academy to a full senior contract within months of the start of the season.

The former Limavady Grammar School pupil finished his first season with the senior squad on 16 caps, scoring 59 points and bagging a wealth of experience playing against top level players in Europe and in the Magners League.

O'Connor was named as Vodafone 'Young Player of the Year' ahead of Mark McCrea and David Pollock, who received the accolade last year.