EDDIE GORMLEY received the ultimate accolade from his contemporaries on Saturday night when he was named Players' Player of the Year by the PFAI.

The 27-year-old St Patrick's playmaker established himself as the foremost midfielder in the country in the Inchicore club's championship-winning campaign. He described the award as the highlight of his career.

UCD striker Mick O'Byrne was named Young Player of the Year, while the prolific Finn Harps striker Jonathan Speake movingly paid tribute to his former manager Patsy McGowan when accepting his award as the First Division player of the year.

Alfie Hale, the former Waterford United player and manager, currently managing Kilkenny City, was a popular recipient of the PFAI Special Merit award.