The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Young Player of the Year (often called the PFAI Players' Young Player of the Year, the PFAI Young Player of the Year, or simply the Young Player of the Year) award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Irish football, the League of Ireland, who is seen to have been the best player of the previous season and is under 23 years of age.
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 award was first given in 1982, and was won by Bohemians player Jacko McDonagh. The most recent winner of the PFAI Young Player of the Year award was Mason Melia of St Patrick's Athletic.
UEFA Euro 2016 saw three former winners of the award making appearances at the finals tournament in France, with two of them (Wes Hoolahan of the Republic of Ireland and Niall McGinn of Northern Ireland) scoring goals for their countries.
List of winners Highlighted players are winning the award for a second time.
2020s YearPlayerClub 2025 Owen Elding Sligo Rovers 2024 Mason Melia St Patrick's Athletic 2023 Sam Curtis St Patrick's Athletic 2022 Andy Lyons Shamrock Rovers 2021 Dawson Devoy Bohemians 2020 Danny Grant Bohemians
2010s YearPlayerClub 2019 Danny Mandroiu Bohemians 2018 Jamie McGrath Dundalk 2017 Trevor Clarke Shamrock Rovers 2016 Sean Maguire Cork City 2015 Brandon Miele Shamrock Rovers 2014 Daryl Horgan Dundalk 2013 Richie Towell Dundalk 2012 Chris Forrester St Patrick's Athletic 2011 Enda Stevens Shamrock Rovers 2010 Shaun Williams Sporting Fingal
2000s YearPlayerClub 2009 Conor Powell Bohemians 2008 Niall McGinn Derry City 2007 Mark Quigley St Patrick's Athletic 2006 Kevin Deery Derry City 2005 Paddy McCourt Derry City 2004 Daryl Murphy Waterford United 2003 Éamon Zayed Bray Wanderers 2003 Wes Hoolahan Shelbourne 2002 Robbie Martin UCD 2001 Richie Foran Shelbourne 2000 Richie Baker Shelbourne
1990s YearPlayerClub 1999 Richie Baker Shelbourne 1998 Colin Hawkins St Patrick's Athletic 1997 Gary Beckett Derry City 1996 Michael O'Byrne UCD 1995 Billy Woods Cork City 1994 Jim Crawford Bohemians 1993 Richie Purdy Dundalk 1992 Tony McCarthy Shelbourne 1991 Barry Ryan Limerick 1990 Vinny Arkins / Tony Cousins Shamrock Rovers / Dundalk
1980s YearPlayerClub 1989 Liam Coyle Derry City 1988 Paul McGee Bohemians 1987 Martin Bayly Sligo Rovers 1986 Liam O'Brien Shamrock Rovers 1985 Peter Coyle Limerick 1984 Joe Hanrahan UCD 1983 Ken DeMange Home Farm 1982 Jacko McDonagh Bohemians
Source:
Breakdown of winners
Winners by club ClubNumber of wins Bohemians 7 (1982, 1988, 1994, 2009, 2019, 2020, 2021) Shamrock Rovers 6 (1986, 1990, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2022) St Patrick's Athletic 5 (1998, 2007, 2012, 2023, 2024) Dundalk 5 (1990, 1993, 2013, 2014, 2018) Derry City 5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008) Shelbourne 5 (1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003) UCD 3 (1984, 1996, 2002) Sligo Rovers 2 (1987, 2025) Cork City 2 (1995, 2016) Limerick 2 (1985, 1991) Sporting Fingal 1 (2010) Waterford United 1 (2004) Bray Wanderers 1 (2003) Home Farm 1 (1983)
Winners by country CountryNumber of wins Republic of Ireland 38 (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008) 1 (2025) 1 (2003)
Trivia In 2000, Richie Baker became the first – and so far only – player to win the award twice. He achieved this feat by winning the award in successive seasons In 1990, the award was shared between Vinny Arkins and Tony Cousins. This is the only year that the award was shared. In 1989, Liam Coyle became the first player from outside of the Republic of Ireland to win the award.
See also PFAI Players' Player of the Year PFAI Team of the Year
References
External links Professional Footballers Association of Ireland rsssf.com