Shamrock Rovers midfielder Dylan Watts has been named the PFAI Player of the Year for the 2024 season, while Damien Duff took home the Manager of the Year prize after steering Shelbourne to the title.
While the Hoops may have fallen short in their five-in-a-row bid, despite a late season spurt, Watts was honoured as the player of the season by his fellow players, the Dubliner shining in the title run-in, scoring vital winning goals against both Drogheda United and Dundalk.
Watts pipped fellow nominees Waterford’s Padraig Amond, the league’s joint-top scorer, and Derry City’s celebrated winger Michael Duffy to take the prize, which was won by St Patrick Athletic’s Chris Forrester last year.
Meanwhile, Duff unsurprisingly scooped the top managerial accolade after sensationally guiding Shelbourne to their first Premier Division title in 18 years.
Duff beat out competition from fellow nominess Kevin Doherty and John Caulfield, dedicating the award to his wife Elaine.
“He dedicated his win to wife Elaine,” he said, on receiving the award.
“Why? I’ve probably spent more time giving love and affection and care to Paddy (Barrett), Sean (Boyd) and Mark (Coyle) than I do my own wife and kids.
“I’m addicted to hard work, I’m addicted to Shelbourne Football Club and I’m addicted to the League of Ireland. At times, in all seriousness, I put my family second.”
St Patrick’s Athletic’s 17-year old sensation Mason Melia was named Young Player of the Year, ahead of Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan and Shamrock Rovers striker Johnny Kenny.
Galway United and Republlic of Ireland striker Julie-Ann Russell was named Women’s Player of the Year, with Peamount’s Ellen Dolan taking the young player award.
Incoming Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff was named Women’s Manager of the Year after leading Athlone Town to the title.
Cork centre-half Charlie Lyons was named Men’s First Division Player of the Season after the Turner’s Cross romped to promotion with six games to spare.
