Shels and Cork dominate Writers' awards lists

The shortlist for the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Personality and Goalkeeper of the Year Awards have been announced with League champions Shelbourne and runner-up Cork City dominating both lists.

Shels’ manager Pat Fenlon, striker Jason Byrne and captain Owen Heary are all included on the Personality of the Year shortlist along with Cork manager Pat Dolan, striker Kevin Doyle and Waterford United star Daryl Murphy.

For Byrne, Heary, Doyle and Murphy, it is a unique double as all four were also nominated by their fellow players for the PFAI awards announced on Wednesday.

Meanwhile last year’s goalkeeper of the year, Shelbourne stopper Steve Williams, is once again nominated in the goalkeeper category along with Cork star Michael Devine and former Waterford United ‘keeper Dan Connor, who joined Drogheda United in December.

The awards will be presented at a function in Cork on January 15.