PFAI Young Player of the Year
Encyclopedia
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Young Player of the Year (often called the PFAI Players' Young Player of the Year, the PFAI Young Player of the Year, or simply the Young Player of the Year) award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Irish football, the League of Ireland
, whom is seen to have been the best player of the previous season and is under 23 years of age.
The shortlist is compiled by the members of the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland (the PFAI), and then the winner is voted for by the other players in the league.
The award was first given in 1982, and was won by Bohemians
player Jacko McDonagh
. The latest winner of the award was Shaun Williams
, of Sporting Fingal
.
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
, whom is seen to have been the best player of the previous season and is under 23 years of age.
The shortlist is compiled by the members of the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland (the PFAI), and then the winner is voted for by the other players in the league.
The award was first given in 1982, and was won by Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
player Jacko McDonagh
Jacko McDonagh
Jacko McDonagh was an Irish professional footballer who played for Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers during his career in Ireland....
. The latest winner of the award was Shaun Williams
Shaun Williams (footballer)
Shaun Williams is an Irish footballer, whose current club is Milton Keynes Dons.Williams, from Malahide, spent time at Home Farm before joining Drogheda, while he also has been on trial with Everton....
, of Sporting Fingal
Sporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
.
2010s
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Shaun Williams Shaun Williams (footballer) Shaun Williams is an Irish footballer, whose current club is Milton Keynes Dons.Williams, from Malahide, spent time at Home Farm before joining Drogheda, while he also has been on trial with Everton.... |
Sporting Fingal Sporting Fingal F.C. Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine... |
2000s
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Conor Powell Conor Powell Conor Powell is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland.-Club career:Powell began his youth career at his hometown club Portmarnock A.F.C... |
Bohemians Bohemian F.C. Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11... |
| 2008 |  Niall McGinnNiall McGinn Niall McGinn is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Brentford as a winger on loan from Celtic.-Derry City:... |
Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
| 2007 | Mark Quigley Mark Quigley Mark Quigley is an Irish professional football player who currently plays for Dundalk.-Career:Quigley came to prominence as a schoolboy with noted Dublin club Belvedere from where he signed for Millwall in 2003. He spent the 2005 season at Shamrock Rovers where he made a total of 12 appearances... |
St Patrick's Athletic St Patrick's Athletic F.C. St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and... |
| 2006 | Kevin Deery |
Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
| 2005 | Pat McCourt |
Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
| 2004 | Daryl Murphy Daryl Murphy Daryl Murphy is an Irish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Ipswich Town on loan from Scottish Premier League club Celtic.-Waterford United:... |
Waterford United |
| 2003 | Éamon Zayed Éamon Zayed Eamon Zayed is an Irish footballer of Libyan descent who currently plays for Derry City. He also writes a weekly column on League of Ireland website, extratime.ie.-Youth career:... |
Bray Wanderers Bray Wanderers A.F.C. Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname... |
| 2003 | Wes Hoolahan Wes Hoolahan Wesley "Wes" Hoolahan is an Irish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Norwich City.-Early career:... |
Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
| 2002 | Robbie Martin Robert Martin (footballer) Robbie Martin is a striker currently playing for Leixlip United.He was part of the UCD squad which won promotion to the Premier Division in 2004. Martin had begun his senior career with the Students in 2000 as a 17-year-old after returning from a six-week stint with Ipswich Town... |
UCD |
| 2001 | Richie Foran Richie Foran Richard 'Richie' Foran is an Irish footballer who plays for SPL side Inverness CT.He has also played for St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne, Carlisle United, Oxford United, Motherwell, Southend United and Darlington.... |
Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
| 2000 | Richie Baker Richie Baker Richie Baker is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bray Wanderers... |
Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
1990s
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Richie Baker Richie Baker Richie Baker is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bray Wanderers... |
Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
| 1998 | Colin Hawkins Colin Hawkins Colin Hawkins , is an Irish professional footballer. Hawkins is a central defender with Dundalk, and has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and U21 levels.-Coventry City:... |
St Patrick's Athletic St Patrick's Athletic F.C. St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and... |
| 1997 | Gary Beckett |
Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
| 1996 | Michael O'Byrne | UCD |
| 1995 | Billy Woods Billy Woods William "Billy" Woods is an Irish former professional football player. He is now the First Team Coach with Cork City.- Cork City and beyond :... |
Cork City |
| 1994 | Jim Crawford Jim Crawford (footballer) Jim Crawford is an American born Irish former footballer-Playing career:Crawford began his career at schoolboy level with Rangers before moving to Bohemian making his debut against Bray Wanderers on 3 November 1991... |
Bohemians Bohemian F.C. Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11... |
| 1993 | Richie Purdy Richie Purdy Richie Purdy is a former Irish football player.Purdy made his League of Ireland début for Home Farm against EMFA on the 6th of November, 1988. He spent six seasons with Dundalk, winning the League with the team in 1994/95... |
Dundalk Dundalk F.C. Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The... |
| 1992 | Tony McCarthy Tony McCarthy Anthony Paul "Tony" McCarthy is a retired Irish footballer who played as a defender.Tony started his League of Ireland career with University College Dublin A.F.C. in 1988. During his last season at Belfield Park he was capped by the Republic of Ireland U21 in April 1990 at Oriel Park. After... |
Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
| 1991 | Barry Ryan Barry Ryan (footballer) Barry Ryan is an Irish football goalkeeper currently playing for Limerick in the League of Ireland First Division.He made his League of Ireland debut for UCD away to Sligo Rovers on the 15th of February 1997... |
Limerick Limerick F.C. Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick... |
| 1990 | Vinny Arkins Vinny Arkins Vinny Arkins is a retired Irish footballer and current manager of Baldoyle United of the Athletic Union League.-Club career:... / Tony Cousins Tony Cousins Tony Cousins is a former Irish footballer and the current coach of League of Ireland club, Longford Town. He is the older brother of Andrew Cousins and first cousin of Tommy Dunne.... |
Shamrock Rovers Shamrock Rovers F.C. Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24... / Dundalk Dundalk F.C. Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The... |
1980s
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Liam Coyle Liam Coyle Liam Coyle is a former Northern Irish footballer who plied his trade with Derry City F.C. from 1988 until 2003. Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, he is remembered for scoring a hat-trick on his Derry City debut against Cobh Ramblers on 6 November, 1988.-Club career:After playing for Finn Harps F.C... |
Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
| 1988 | Paul McGee Paul McGee (footballer born 1968) Paul McGee is a retired Irish football midfielder.He was the PFAI Young Player of the Year for the 1987/88 season .Scored at Highbury on the 18th of May 1989.-References:*... |
Bohemians Bohemian F.C. Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11... |
| 1987 | Martin Bayly Martin Bayly Martin Joseph Bayly is an Irish former professional footballer and manager.His older brother is Ritchie Bayly while his nephew Robert Bayly currently plays for Bohemian F.C..-Club career:... |
Sligo Rovers Sligo Rovers F.C. Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at... |
| 1986 | Liam O'Brien Liam O'Brien (footballer) Liam O'Brien is an Irish former footballer who played for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tranmere Rovers and Cork City.- Club career :... |
Shamrock Rovers Shamrock Rovers F.C. Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24... |
| 1985 | Peter Coyle | Limerick Limerick F.C. Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick... |
| 1984 | Joe Hanrahan Joe Hanrahan Joe Hanrahan is an Irish former footballer who played during the 1980s and 1990s.He picked up many honours, including the FAI Cup in 1983–84 and was named PFAI Young Player of the Year in the same year... |
UCD |
| 1983 | Ken DeMange Ken DeMange Ken DeMange is a former Irish footballer who played for, among others, Liverpool, Leeds United, Hull City and Dundalk. As an international he also played for the Republic of Ireland.-Early years:... |
Home Farm Home Farm F.C. Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra... |
| 1982 | Jacko McDonagh Jacko McDonagh Jacko McDonagh was an Irish professional footballer who played for Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers during his career in Ireland.... |
Bohemians Bohemian F.C. Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11... |
Winners by club
| Club | Number of wins |
|---|---|
| Derry City Derry City F.C. Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division... |
5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008) |
| Shelbourne Shelbourne F.C. Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.... |
5 (1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003) |
| Bohemians Bohemian F.C. Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11... |
4 (1982, 1988, 1994, 2009) |
| UCD | 3 (1984, 1996, 2002) |
| St Patrick's Athletic St Patrick's Athletic F.C. St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and... |
2 (1998, 2007) |
| Dundalk Dundalk F.C. Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The... |
2 (1990, 1993) |
| Limerick Limerick F.C. Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick... |
2 (1985, 1991) |
| Shamrock Rovers Shamrock Rovers F.C. Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24... |
2 (1986, 1990) |
| Sporting Fingal Sporting Fingal F.C. Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine... |
1 (2010) |
| Waterford United | 1 (2004) |
| Bray Wanderers Bray Wanderers A.F.C. Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname... |
1 (2003) |
| Cork City | 1 (1995) |
| Sligo Rovers Sligo Rovers F.C. Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at... |
1 (1987) |
| Home Farm Home Farm F.C. Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra... |
1 (1983) |
Winners by country
| Country | Number of wins |
|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland national football team The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010.... |
26 (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010) |
| 5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008) |
Trivia
- In 2000, Richie BakerRichie BakerRichie Baker is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bray Wanderers...
became the first – and so far only – player to win the award twice. He achieved this feat by winning the award in successive seasons
- In 1990, the award was shared between Vinny ArkinsVinny ArkinsVinny Arkins is a retired Irish footballer and current manager of Baldoyle United of the Athletic Union League.-Club career:...
and Tony CousinsTony CousinsTony Cousins is a former Irish footballer and the current coach of League of Ireland club, Longford Town. He is the older brother of Andrew Cousins and first cousin of Tommy Dunne....
. This is the only year that the award was shared.
- In 1989, Liam CoyleLiam CoyleLiam Coyle is a former Northern Irish footballer who plied his trade with Derry City F.C. from 1988 until 2003. Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, he is remembered for scoring a hat-trick on his Derry City debut against Cobh Ramblers on 6 November, 1988.-Club career:After playing for Finn Harps F.C...
became the first player from outside of the Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to win the award.