Stephen Kenny has won the Personality of the Year at SSE Airtricity League/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Awards as Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple claims the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Newly-appointed Ireland U21 manager Stephen Kenn
Stephen Kenny has won the Personality of the Year at SSE Airtricity League/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Awards as Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple claims the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Newly-appointed Ireland U21 manager Stephen Kenny has been named SSE Airtricity/SWAI Personality of the Year for 2018 at the annual awards ceremony tonight.
The 47-year-old masterminded an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup double as his parting gift to Dundalk before ending a hugely-successful six-year spell at Oriel Park to take up his latest role with the FAI.
Dubliner Kenny is set to replace Mick McCarthy as Ireland senior boss after Euro 2020.
He saw off two of his former players in Lilywhites pair Chris Shields (runner-up) and Pat Hoban (third) to claim the prize for the third time at Dublin’s Conrad Hotel, having previously won it in 2014 and 2016.
The other nominees were Michael Duffy (Dundalk), Bohemians manager Keith Long and UCD boss Collie O’Neill - winner of the First Division title.
Goalkeeper of the Year went to Shane Supple, who was a key player for Bohemians last season. A leader on and off the pitch, the 31-year-old earned a call-up to Martin O’Neill’s Ireland squad for the first time but he was forced to retire from the game in November due to a persistent hip injury.
Former winners Gary Rogers (Dundalk) and Mark McNulty (Cork City) were second and third respectively.
Meanwhile, Aine O’Gorman received the International Achievement Award after calling time on her Ireland career in 2018. The Peamount United star won 100 caps for the Girls in Green over a 12-year period.
Vincent Hoey also picked up the Special Merit Award for his years of service to the game as long-serving Drogheda United chairman.
SWAI Personality of the Year winner: Stephen Kenny (Dundalk)
SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year winner: Shane Supple (Bohemians)
International Achievement Award: Aine O'Gorman
Special Merit award winner: Vincent Hoey
