Dundalk and Cork City dominate PFAI awards shortlist

Dundalk and Cork City, the top two sides in the domestic game over the last three seasons, dominate this year’s PFAI awards shortlist and Premier Division team of the year.

The nominations for the player of the year award show two from each club, Daryl Horgan and Stephen O’Donnell from Dundalk and Greg Bolger and Sean Maguire from City.

All four naturally make the Premier Division team of the year, with only Derry goalkeeper Ger Doherty interrupting the big two’s dominance of the chosen 11, while Cork also have Maguire and Kevin O’Connor named in the shortlist for the Young Player gong.

Limerick are out on their own in the First Division Team of the Year, with no less than eight players included while, in the international context, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long have all been shortlisted for the PFAI’s Irish Overseas Player of the Year award.

Player of the Year:

Greg Bolger (Cork), Daryl Horgan (Dundalk), Sean Maguire (Cork), Stephen O’Donnell (Dundalk)

First Division Player of the Year:

Shane Duggan (Limerick), Chris Mulhall (Limerick), Gary O’Neill (UCD).

Young Player of the Year:

Dylan Connolly (Bray), Sean Maguire (Cork), Kevin O’Connor (Cork).

Premier Division Team of Year:

Doherty (Derry), Gannon (Dundalk), Browne (Cork), Boyle (Dundalk), O’Connor (Cork); O’Donnell (Dundalk), Bolger (Cork), McEleney (Dundalk); Horgan (Dundalk), Maguire (Cork), McMillan (Dundalk)

First Division Team of Year:

Hall (Limerick), Kougoun (UCD), O’Connor (Limerick), Tracy (Limerick), Williams (Limerick); Duggan (Limerick), O’Neill (UCD), Lynch (Limerick); Greene (Limerick), Swan (UCD), Mulhall (Limerick)

Irish Overseas Player of the Year:

Robbie Brady (Norwich), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton)

Women’s Senior International Player of Year:

Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Houston Dash), Louise Quinn (Eskiltuna United)