Champions-elect Bohemians look set to dominate the 2009 Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) awards after the list of nominees was unveiled on Thursday.
Bohs players Jason Byrne, Gary Deegan and Brian Shelley are all up for the Player of the Year gong. Premier Division top scorer Gary Twigg of Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk's Chris Turner and Sligo Rovers striker Raffaele Cretaro are also nominated.
The team of the year sees six of Pat Fenlon’s men involved. Deegan and Shelley are joined by Brian Murphy, Ken Oman, Joseph Ndo and Conor Powell. Cretaro, Turner, Twigg, and Shamrock Rovers duo Sean O’Connor and Pat Sullivan complete the side.
A new award debuts this year to recognise Irish players outside of the League of Ireland, the Irish Overseas Players of the Year award, which is also voted for by the League of Ireland players.
Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, last year’s PFAI Players’ Player of the Year and current Birmingham City midfielder, Keith Fahey and Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland are the three nominated players.
‘It's always nice to be nominated for any award but when it's by fellow players it always makes it a bit more special,’ Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane said after he was informed of his nomination for the award.
‘This is the first year of the award and it was voted for by the League of Ireland players in both the Premier and First divisions, so this is a real honour to be recognised and one of three Irish players selected, as there are so many talented Irish players playing outside of the League.
‘The international players have a great relationship with the PFAI and the association does great work for Irish footballers at all levels, so the introduction of this award is a great initiative and we will continue to support the PFAI and fellow players’, Keane said.
PFAI General Secretary Stephen McGuinness believes that all the nominations are fair and well-earned as they are chosen by the players.
McGuinness said: ‘It’s the League of Ireland players that chose the nominees in all categories so we feel that both the PFAI Premier Division and First Division teams of the year are a true reflection of the most talented and consistent players over the course of the season.
‘It is a mark of the impact that last year’s winner, Keith Fahey, has had in the Premier League this season with his nomination in the first ever Irish Overseas Player of the Year Award.
'Keith’s progress since joining Birmingham at the start of the year demonstrates the talent this League has to offer and hopefully someday players will not need to leave Ireland to fulfil their potential.
‘The Premier Division team of the year is made up of players from four different clubs. Another excellent season for Bohemians was recognised by the players, and they have six representatives on the selection again this year.
‘It was the most open and competitive First Division in years and the team of the year in that division is dominated by the top four clubs of champions UCD, Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford United.
The prestigious 2009 Ford sponsored PFAI Awards will take place on Sunday, 15 November at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin.
The full list of nominees for the PFAI awards:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Jason Byrne (Bohemian FC)
Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers)
Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC)
Brian Shelley (Bohemian FC)
Chris Turner (Dundalk)
Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC)
Ronan Finn (UCD)
Conor Powell (Bohemian FC)
FIRST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal)
Ronan Finn (UCD)
David McAllister (Shelbourne)
REFEREE OF THE YEAR:
Alan Kelly
Rob Rogers
Richie Winter
IRISH OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Keith Fahey (Birmingham City)
Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Brian Murphy (Bohemian FC)
Pat Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers)
Brian Shelley (Bohemian FC)
Ken Oman (Bohemian FC)
Conor Powell (Bohemian FC)
Chris Turner (Dundalk)
Gary Deegan (Bohemian FC)
Joseph Ndo (Bohemian FC)
Sean O’Connor (Shamrock Rovers)
Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers)
Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers)
FIRST DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Dean Delaney (Shelbourne)
Kenny Browne (Waterford United)
Alan Carey (Waterford United)
Evan McMillan (UCD)
Brian Shortall (UCD)
Shaun Williams (Sporting Fingal)
Ronan Finn (UCD)
David McAllister (Shelbourne)
Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal)
Graham Cummins (Waterford United)
Stephen O'Flynn (Limerick)
