SWAI Personality of the Year

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The Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Personality of the Year [1] is an annual award for the person considered to have made the most positive impact on the domestic League of Ireland season.

Contents

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 secretary Joe Wickham.

The award is organised by the Soccer Writes' Association of Ireland. [2]

Selection Process

The winner of the SWAI Personality of the Year is chosen by members of the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. The selection process considers performance, influence, and contributions to the league over the course of a season. Both on-field excellence and off-field leadership are taken into account when determining the recipient.

Notable Winners

Throughout the years, the award has recognized outstanding players, managers, and officials who have shaped Irish football. Some of the most notable winners include:


Winners

YearWinner
1961Dan McCaffrey (Drumcondra)
1962 Tommy Hamilton (Shamrock Rovers)
1963 Willie Browne (Bohemians)
1964 Joe Wickham (Secretary, FAI)
1965 Seán Thomas (Bohemians)
1966 Liam Tuohy (Shamrock Rovers)
1967 Al Finucane (Limerick)
1968 Johnny Fullam (Shamrock Rovers)
1969 Mick Leech (Shamrock Rovers)
1970 Peter Thomas (Waterford)
1971 Mick Meagan (Drogheda)
1972 Dave Bacuzzi (Cork Hibernians)
1973 Alfie Hale (Waterford)
1974Paul O'Donovan (Cork Celtic)
1975 Johnny Fullam (Bohemians)
1976 Brendan Bradley (Finn Harps)
1977 Mick Smyth (Bohemians)
1978 Johnny Giles (Shamrock Rovers)
1979 Jim McLaughlin (Dundalk)
1980 Eoin Hand (Limerick United)
1981 Turlough O'Connor (Athlone Town)
1982 Tommy McConville (Dundalk)
1983 Noel Larkin (Athlone Town)
1984 Jim McLaughlin (Shamrock Rovers)
1985 Pat Byrne (Shamrock Rovers)
1986 Liam O'Brien (Shamrock Rovers)
1987 Mick Byrne (Shamrock Rovers)
1988 Terry Eviston (Dundalk)
1989 Jim McLaughlin (Derry City)
1990 Damien Byrne (St Patrick's Athletic)
1991 Peter Hanrahan (Dundalk)
1992Pat Byrne (Shelbourne)
1993 Pat Morley (Cork City)
1994 Stephen Geoghegan (Shamrock Rovers)
1995 Liam Coyle (Derry City)
1996 Brian Kerr (St Patrick's Athletic)
1997 Peter Hutton (Derry City)
1998 Pat Dolan (St Patrick's Athletic)
1999 Paul Osam (St Patrick's Athletic)
2000 Dermot Keely (Shelbourne)
2001 Glen Crowe (Bohemians)
2002 Paul Doolin (UCD)
2002-03 Glen Crowe (Bohemians)
2003 Alan Mathews (Longford Town)
2004 Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne)
2005 Damien Richardson (Cork City)
2006 Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne)
2007Paul Doolin (Drogheda United)
2008 Owen Heary (Bohemians)
2009 Liam Buckley (Sporting Fingal)
2024 Damien Duff (Shelbourne) [3]

See Also

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References

  1. ↑ "SWAI Award Winners".
  2. ↑ "Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Website".
  3. ↑ https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/1123/1482622-watts-takes-pfai-award-duff-wins-manager-gong/
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