O'Neill's 2011 achievements are honoured

Former Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O'Neill was named Personality-of-the-Year at the Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Awards in Dublin.

O'Neill, who has left the current Airtricity Premier League champions Shamrock Rovers to take up his new role as Northern Ireland manager, scooped the award after guiding the Hoops to successive league titles and a place in the group stages of the Europa League.

Derry City's Gerard Doherty was named Goalkeeper of the Year, where Brendan Clarke (Sligo Rovers, now at St Pat's) and Gary Rogers (St Pat's, now at Sligo), were also nominated.

The Brandywell side recently offered Doherty him a three-year contract extension to go with the year he still has to run on his current deal.

A special presentation was made on the night to Republic of Ireland senior team manager Giovanni Trapattoni following qualification for this summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

The former Republic of Ireland manager Eoin Hand was the recipient of the Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Special Merit award for his service to Irish football.