The Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Personality of the Year is an annual award for the person considered to have made the most positive impact on the domestic League of Ireland

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...

 season.

Instigated in 1961 - when Drumcondra's Dan McCaffrey was the winner - it is one of the few awards that can be given to either a player or manager. In fact, the recipient in 1964 was FAI

Football Association of Ireland

The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...

 secretary Joe Wickham

Joe Wickham

Joe Wickham was the General Secretary of the Football Association of Ireland from the 1930s until his death in 1968 at the age of 78. He took over from Jack Ryder in 1936, having previously worked as a supervisor in the coach-building workshop in the Broadstone depot of the Midland Great Western...

.

The award is organised by the Soccer Writes' Association of Ireland.

Winners

Year	Winner
1961	Dan McCaffrey (Drumcondra)
1962	Tommy Hamilton Tommy Hamilton Tommy Hamilton is a former Irish football player who played as a forward.His first club was Manchester United whom he joined in 1953 where he began playing as an inside forward for the third team and reserves. Hamilton was not prepared for being conscripted so he came home to sign for Shamrock...  (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... )
1963	Willie Browne Willie Browne Willie Browne was an Irish soccer player during the 1960s.A Bohemian F.C. legend, he was the last amateur to have been capped for the full Ireland national team for 43 years until Joseph Lapira was capped against Ecuador in May 2007.- Career :...  (Bohemians)
1964	Joe Wickham (Secretary, FAI)
1965	Sean Thomas (Bohemians)
1966	Liam Tuohy Liam Tuohy (footballer) Liam Tuohy is a former Irish footballer and manager. During the 1950s and 1960s. Tuohy played as an outside left for Shamrock Rovers, Newcastle United, and the Republic of Ireland. In 1959 while playing for Ireland, Tuohy scored the first ever goal in the history of the European Championship...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1967	Al Finucane Al Finucane Al Finucane was an Irish football player. During his 28 year career he played for League of Ireland sides Limerick, Waterford United and Newcastlewest F.C.. Finucane was also a member of several Republic of Ireland national football team squads.Finucane played his first game for Limerick as a 17...  (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... )
1968	Johnny Fullam Johnny Fullam Johnny Fullam is a former Irish soccer player.Johnny began his career at Home Farm before signing for Preston North End in 1958. He scored 6 goals in 49 league appearances for Preston. In 1961 he was asked to guest on Shamrock Rovers tour of America on the understanding that he would sign for the...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1969	Mick Leech Mick Leech Mick Leech was an Irish professional football player who made his name with Shamrock Rovers in the 1960s.He was signed by Paddy Ambrose and Liam Tuohy for Rovers in September 1966 from junior side Ormeau. He spent 6 weeks in the reserves before he made his first team debut against Dundalk at...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1970	Peter Thomas Peter Thomas (footballer) Peter Thomas was a football goalkeeper who played in England, Ireland and the United States. He also earned two caps with the Republic of Ireland.-Professional:...  (Waterford)
1971	Mick Meagan Mick Meagan Michael Kevin "Mick" Meagan is a former professional footballer. He was the first manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team to be given total control over selecting players.-Early days:Meagan grew up in Dublin, Ireland...  (Drogheda)
1972	Dave Bacuzzi Dave Bacuzzi David Reno Bacuzzi , commonly referred to as Dave Bacuzzi is a former English footballer and manager who played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Reading. He also represented England as a youth international...  (Cork Hibernians Cork Hibernians F.C. Cork Hibernians F.C. were an Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1957 and 1976 and played their home games at Flower Lodge. In 1971, they were League of Ireland champions.-History:... )
1973	Alfie Hale Alfie Hale Alfred "Alfie" Hale is a former Irish footballer and manager who played for several clubs in both the League of Ireland and the English League, most notably, Waterford United, Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers and Cork Celtic. During his career Hale scored 153 goals in the League of Ireland and a...  (Waterford)
1974	Paul O'Donovan (Cork Celtic Cork Celtic F.C. Cork Celtic F.C. were a Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1959 and 1979 and played their home games at Turners Cross. The club had previously played in the league as Evergreen United... )
1975	Johnny Fullam (Bohemians)
1976	Brendan Bradley Brendan Bradley Brendan Bradley is a former Irish footballer. He holds the record for the highest number of goals, 235, scored by an individual in the League of Ireland with a club record 181 for Finn Harps .-Derry City:...  (Finn Harps Finn Harps F.C. Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue... )
1977	Mick Smyth Mick Smyth Mick Smyth was an Irish soccer player who played for Drumcondra, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Athlone Town in the League of Ireland throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and had a short spell in England with Barrow in the early 1960s.Made his Rovers debut at Drogheda on the 27th of December 1964...  (Bohemians)
1978	Johnny Giles Johnny Giles Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1979	Jim McLaughlin Jim McLaughlin (footballer) Jim McLaughlin is a former Northern Irish footballer and was later a football manager in the League of Ireland.-Playing career:...  (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... )
1980	Eoin Hand Eoin Hand Eoin Kevin Joseph Colin Hand is a former footballer and football manager. As a player, his normal position was centre-half. He works as a television and radio football commentator for RTÉ in Ireland.-Playing career:...  (Limerick United)
1981	Turlough O'Connor Turlough O'Connor (footballer) Turlough O'Connor was an Irish soccer player during the 1960s and 1970s. He is a member of the Bohemians' Hall of Fame.His two brothers Padraig O'Connor and Michael O'Connor also played for Athlone Town.-Playing career:...  (Athlone Town)
1982	Tommy McConville Tommy McConville Tommy McConville is an Irish former professional football player.In 1964 he made his debut for Dundalk F.C. and a year later, McConville moved to Bangor but soon returned to Oriel Park for the second time....  (Dundalk)
1983	Noel Larkin Noel Larkin Noel Larkin is a former Irish footballer who played for Athlone Town, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.Noel made his debut in 1971 at Tolka Park against Shelbourne as a left back...  (Athlone Town)
1984	Jim McLaughlin (Shamrock Rovers)
1985	Pat Byrne Pat Byrne Pat Byrne is a former Irish football player and manager.-Playing career:A central midfielder, Byrne's playing career started with Bohemians, his debut coming against St Patricks Athletic on 25 August 1974...  (Shamrock Rovers)
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)
1987	Mick Byrne Mick Byrne Michael "Mick" Byrne was an Irish football player during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.-Playing career:He made his league debut as a Bohemians player on 25 March 1979 and had a spell at Shelbourne, where he was Player of the Month in February 1982.He attracted the interest of Manchester City during...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1988	Terry Eviston Terry Eviston Terry Eviston was a footballer who played for Home Farm, Bohemians, Athlone Town A.F.C., Dundalk F.C. and two spells with Shamrock Rovers.-Playing career:...  (Dundalk)
1989	Jim McLaughlin (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... )
1990	Damien Byrne Damien Byrne Damien Byrne is a former Irish professional football player. In a career spanning 20 seasons, Byrne won player of the year awards in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the only man to do so...  (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... )
1991	Peter Hanrahan Peter Hanrahan Peter Hanrahan was an Irish soccer player during the 1980s and 1990s.He was a midfielder or forward who played for UCD , Dundalk, Limerick City, Bohemians during his career in the League of Ireland....  (Dundalk)
1992	Pat Byrne (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.... )
1993	Pat Morley Pat Morley (footballer) Pat "Skippy" Morley is a former footballer for Cork City F.C., Shelbourne, Limerick F.C. and Waterford United F.C.. Pat also works for Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann as a commentator and analyst on League of Ireland soccer.He made his League of Ireland debut for Waterford United away to...  (Cork City)
1994	Stephen Geoghegan Stephen Geoghegan Stephen Geoghegan is a former Irish football player and current manager of O'Devaney Dunard FC.His first league club was Drogheda United where he won two League of Ireland First Division titles and 1 League of Ireland First Division Shield...  (Shamrock Rovers)
1995	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)
1996	Brian Kerr Brian Kerr (footballer) Brian Kerr is a Scottish international association football player.- Newcastle United :Kerr started his career with Newcastle United, but failed to hold down a regular first team place. Despite this, he won three caps for Scotland under the management of Berti Vogts...  (St Patrick's Athletic)
1997	Peter Hutton Peter Hutton (footballer) Peter Hutton is a professional footballer and manager best known for his time with League of Ireland club Derry City, who he captained and managed on a caretaker basis...  (Derry City)
1998	Pat Dolan Pat Dolan Patrick Dolan is a former football player, manager, and executive. He is a soccer analyst on Setanta Sports Ireland.-Early life:...  (St Patrick's Athletic)
1999	Paul Osam Paul Osam Paul Osam is a former professional football player.- Career :Osam started his League of Ireland career in 1988 when he was signed by Brian Kerr for St Patrick's Athletic from junior side Mount Merrion...  (St Patrick's Athletic)
2000	Dermot Keely Dermot Keely Dermot Keely, is the former manager of Irish football team Shelbourne.-Family:Keely's family have played League of Ireland football at various levels. His late father Peter Keely played for Shelbourne, his brother Joe played on the same Home Farm FAI Cup winning side of 1775 as Dermot Keely himself...  (Shelbourne)
2001	Glen Crowe Glen Crowe Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....  (Bohemians)
2002	Paul Doolin Paul Doolin Paul Doolin is a former Irish footballer and manager.He played for Bohemians, scoring on his debut on 13 September 1981. In June 1985 he signed for Shamrock Rovers and in his three years at the club won the double twice scoring 30 goals in 107 appearances. In his first season at Milltown he was...  (UCD University College Dublin A.F.C. University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have... )
2002-03	Glen Crowe Glen Crowe Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....  (Bohemians)
2003	Alan Mathews Alan Mathews Alan Mathews is a former Irish footballer and the current manager of League of Ireland First Division side Shelbourne.-Player:As a player, Mathews played for St...  (Longford Town Longford Town F.C. Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park... )
2004	Pat Fenlon Pat Fenlon Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....  (Shelbourne)
2005	Damien Richardson Damien Richardson Damien John Richardson is an Irish football manager and former player. He currently has no club attachments, having left Cork City at the end of the 2007 season. Richardson formerly managed Gillingham in England and Cobh Ramblers, Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in Ireland.Richardson's father...  (Cork City)
2006	Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne)
2007	Paul Doolin (Drogheda United)
2008	Owen Heary Owen Heary Owen Heary is an Irish professional football defender and currently captain of Bohemians .-Playing career:He made his League of Ireland debut for Kilkenny City at Bray Wanderers on 21 November 1993...  (Bohemians)
2009	Liam Buckley Liam Buckley Liam Buckley , is an Irish former professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Liam began his League of Ireland career with Shelbourne F.C. and signed for Shamrock Rovers as a full time player in the 1979 close season...  (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... )