Three Bohemians players are among the six nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) player of the year, while Gary Deegan has also been shortlisted for the young players’ award.
Deegan is joined on the shortlist for the main award by team-mates Jason Byrne and Brian Shelley, Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Chris Turner (Dundalk) and Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers).
Another team-mate from the champions elect, Conor Powell, is also in contention for young player of the year, along with UCD’s Ronan Finn, who is nominated with Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal) and David McAllister (Shelbourne) for First Division player of the year.
The winners will be announced at the Ford sponsored PFAI Awards at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin on November 15th.
Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, Birmingham City midfielder Keith Fahey and Manchester City Stephen Ireland are in the running for the inaugural Irish Overseas Players of the Year award.
“It's always nice to be nominated for any award but when it's by fellow players it always makes it a bit more special," Keane said in a statement released by the PFAI this afternoon.
"This is the first year of the award and it was voted for by the League of Ireland players in both the premier and first divisions, so this is a real honour to be recognised and one of three Irish players selected, as there are so many talented Irish players playing outside of the League.
“The international players have a great relationship with the PFAI and the association does great work for Irish footballers at all levels, so the introduction of this award is a great initiative and we will continue to support the PFAI and fellow players.”
The PFAI has also revealed the teams of the year from both divisions.
Bohemians have six players in the Premier Division team but there is no room for strikers Glen Crowe or Byrne.
“The Premier Division team of the year is made up of players from four different clubs and another excellent season for Bohemians was recognised by the players and they have six representatives on the selection again this year” said PFAI secretary Stephen McGuinness.
“It was the most open and competitive First Division in years and the team of the year in that division is dominated by the top four clubs of Champions UCD, Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford United.
“We are in the third year of a four deal with Ford so we are looking forward to hopefully extending the established and successful relationship over the coming years.”
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jason Byrne (Bohemian FC), Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC), Brian Shelley (Bohemian FC), Chris Turner (Dundalk), Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC), Ronan Finn (UCD), Conor Powell (Bohemian FC)
FIRST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal), Ronan Finn (UCD), David McAllister (Shelbourne)
REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Alan Kelly, Rob Rogers, Richie Winter
IRISH OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Keith Fahey (Birmingham City), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR
Brian Murphy (Bohemian FC); Pat Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Brian Shelley (Bohemian FC), Ken Oman (Bohemian FC), Conor Powell (Bohemian FC); Chris Turner (Dundalk), Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC), Joseph Ndo (Bohemian FC), Sean O’Connor (Shamrock Rovers); Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers), Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers)
FIRST DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR
Dean Delaney (Shelbourne); Kenny Browne (Waterford United), Alan Carey (Waterford United), Evan McMillan (UCD), Brian Shortall (UCD); Shaun Williams (Sporting Fingal), Ronan Finn (UCD), David McAllister (Shelbourne), Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal); Graham Cummins (Waterford United), Stephen O’Flynn (Limerick)
