The 35-year-old was given personality of the year honour on Friday night after a big year on and off the field.
“It was a bloody big shock, I wasn’t expecting it,” he said.
McIlroy, initially retired from senior rugby in 2017 to focus on leading the club but he has kept the boots on and pulled double-duty propping a Darfield senior scrum that is one of the best in the district.
McIlroy has played more than 200 games for the senior team and is a damaging ball-runner even with a “bad knee” that was meant to force him into retirement two seasons ago,
McIlroy scored three tries in Darfield’s 22-21 Coleman Shield semifinal win over Springston in July and also dotted down in the final where his team lost 16-12 against Southbridge.
McIlroy has committed to another senior season in 2020.
“We’re getting closer to that Coleman Shield and the atmosphere at the club is really good so I’ll put the boots on again.
