PFAI Young Player of the Year

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 Danny Grant of Bohemians.

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
2020 Danny GrantBohemians

2010s
YearPlayerClub
2019 Daniel MandroiuBohemians
2018 Jamie McGrathDundalk
2017 Trevor ClarkeShamrock Rovers
2016 Sean MaguireCork City
2015 Brandon MieleShamrock Rovers
2014 Daryl HorganDundalk
2013 Richie TowellDundalk
2012 Christopher ForresterSt Patrick's Athletic
2011 Enda StevensShamrock Rovers
2010 Shaun WilliamsSporting Fingal

2000s
YearPlayerClub
2009 Conor PowellBohemians
2008 Niall McGinnDerry City
2007 Mark QuigleySt Patrick's Athletic
2006 Kevin DeeryDerry City
2005 Paddy McCourtDerry City
2004 Daryl MurphyWaterford United
2003 Éamon ZayedBray Wanderers
2003 Wes HoolahanShelbourne
2002 Robbie MartinUCD
2001 Richie ForanShelbourne
2000 Richie BakerShelbourne

1990s
YearPlayerClub
1999 Richie BakerShelbourne
1998 Colin HawkinsSt Patrick's Athletic
1997 Gary BeckettDerry City
1996 Michael O'ByrneUCD
1995 Billy WoodsCork City
1994 Jim CrawfordBohemians
1993 Richie PurdyDundalk
1992 Tony McCarthyShelbourne
1991 Barry RyanLimerick
1990 Vinny Arkins / Tony CousinsShamrock Rovers / Dundalk

1980s
YearPlayerClub
1989 Liam CoyleDerry City
1988 Paul McGeeBohemians
1987 Martin BaylySligo Rovers
1986 Liam O'BrienShamrock Rovers
1985 Peter CoyleLimerick
1984 Joe HanrahanUCD
1983 Ken DeMangeHome Farm
1982 Jacko McDonaghBohemians

Breakdown of winners

Winners by club
ClubNumber of wins
Bohemians 6 (1982, 1988, 1994, 2009, 2019, 2020)
Dundalk5 (1990, 1993, 2013, 2014, 2018)
Shamrock Rovers5 (1986, 1990, 2011, 2015, 2017)
Derry City5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008)
Shelbourne5 (1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
St Patrick's Athletic3 (1998, 2007, 2012)
UCD3 (1984, 1996, 2002)
Cork City2 (1995, 2016)
Limerick2 (1985, 1991)
Sporting Fingal1 (2010)
Waterford United1 (2004)
Bray Wanderers1 (2003)
Sligo Rovers1 (1987)
Home Farm1 (1983)

Winners by country
CountryNumber of wins
Republic of Ireland34 (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)
 Northern Ireland5 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2008)
 Libya1 (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
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