The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Player of the Year (often called the PFAI Players' Player of the Year, the Players' Player of the Year, or simply the Irish Player of the Year) award is given to the footballer the League of Ireland Premier Division, who is seen to have been the best player of the previous season.Ireland – Player of the Year and Other Awards
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 prize is regarded as the highest awarded by the PFAI and is seen as the primary "Player of the Year" award in Ireland.
The award was first given in 1981, and was won by Athlone Town player Padraig O'Connor. The latest winner of the award is Michael Duffy of Derry City.
List of winners Highlighted players are winning the award for a second time.
2020s YearPlayerClub 2025 Michael Duffy Derry City 2024 Dylan Watts Shamrock Rovers 2023 Chris Forrester St Patrick's Athletic 2022 Rory Gaffney Shamrock Rovers 2021 Georgie Kelly Bohemians 2020 Jack Byrne Shamrock Rovers
2010s YearPlayerClub 2019 Jack Byrne Shamrock Rovers 2018 Michael Duffy Dundalk 2017 Sean Maguire Cork City 2016 Daryl Horgan Dundalk 2015 Richie Towell Dundalk 2014 Christy Fagan St Patrick's Athletic 2013 Killian Brennan St Patrick's Athletic 2012 Mark Quigley Sligo Rovers 2011 Éamon Zayed Derry City 2010 Richie Ryan Sligo Rovers
2000s YearPlayerClub 2009 Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers 2008 Keith Fahey St Patrick's Athletic 2007 Brian Shelley Drogheda United 2006 Joseph N'Do Shelbourne 2005 Mark Farren Derry City 2004 Jason Byrne Shelbourne 2003 Jason Byrne Shelbourne 2003 Glen Crowe Bohemians 2002 Owen Heary Shelbourne 2001 Glen Crowe Bohemians 2000 Pat Fenlon Shelbourne
1990s YearPlayerClub 1999 Paul Osam St Patrick's Athletic 1998 Pat Scully Shelbourne 1997 Peter Hutton Derry City 1996 Eddie Gormley St Patrick's Athletic 1995 Liam Coyle Derry City 1994 Stephen Geoghegan Shamrock Rovers 1993 Donal O'Brien Derry City 1992 Pat Fenlon Bohemians 1991 Pat Morley Cork City 1990 Mark Ennis St Patrick's Athletic
1980s YearPlayerClub 1989 Paul Doolin Derry City 1988 Paddy Dillon St Patrick's Athletic 1987 Mick Byrne Shamrock Rovers 1986 Paul Doolin Shamrock Rovers 1985 Tommy Gaynor Limerick City 1984 Pat Byrne Shamrock Rovers 1983 Martin Murray Drogheda United 1982 Paul McGrath St Patrick's Athletic 1981 Padraig O'Connor Athlone Town
Breakdown of winners Winners by club ClubNumber of wins St Patrick's Athletic 9 (1982, 1988, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2023) Shamrock Rovers 9 (1984, 1986, 1987, 1994, 2009, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024) Derry City 7 (1989, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2011, 2025) Shelbourne 6 (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006) Bohemians 4 (1992, 2001, 2003, 2021) Dundalk 3 (2015, 2016, 2018) Cork City 2 (1991, 2017) Sligo Rovers 2 (2010, 2012) Drogheda United 2 (1983, 2007) Limerick 1 (1985) Athlone Town 1 (1981)
Winners by country CountryNumber of wins Republic of Ireland 40 (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) 2 (1995, 1997) 1 (2006) 1 (2009) 1 (2011)
See also PFAI Young Player of the Year PFAI Team of the Year
References
External links Professional Footballers Association of Ireland