Ruairi Keating's goals for Cork City sees him nominated for an award at the Soccer Writers Annual awards

THIS week sees the 2023 edition of the SSE Airtricity/ Soccer Writers Ireland awards take place on Friday December 8th.

Many of the great and the good of Irish football attend the ceremony and it always is a great celebration of all matters concerning domestic and international Irish football, which this year takes place at a banquet at the Royal Dublin Convention Centre.

Among the nominees for the 2023 Men’s Personality of the Year is Ruairi Keating, who left Cork City for St Patrick's Athletic in recent weeks, who was nominated after an impressive season with the Rebel Army, where he hit the back of the net with 15 goals across all competitions.

There can be no disputing that Keating is someone fully deserving of his place among the nominees for the prestigious prize.

“It's been a very difficult decision to make, I love Cork City and what the people there have done for me, it's a amazing football club and I've made friends for life down there, I wish them nothing but but best going forward, unfortunately it's time to move on,” Keating told the St Patrick’s Athletic media team recently.

Over the years there have been numerous winners with a Cork connection and some of the key awards coming back to Leeside.

The Men’s personality of the year is the flagship award of the Soccer Writers Ireland and continues to be one of the most prestigious accolades that is handed out in Irish football.

The year 2017 saw the then Cork City manager John Caulfield pick up the personality of the year award, after a season which saw the Leesidere secure the league and cup double for the first time in the club’s history.

Caulfield was fully deserving of the award after what was arguably the most successful season in the history of the Rebel Army.

From managers to players and officials, this award recognises the achievements of the League of Ireland’s greatest servants, which John Caulfield very much is.

There always is strong debate and it is always a tough choice with so many credible candidates each year. The SWI leaves it up to members to crown a winner at the Annual Banquet.

2005 saw Damien Richardson pick up the award, after helping to guide Cork City to the League Of Ireland Premier Division title. 

There also was a Leeside winner of the award in 1993, City goal scoring machine Pat Morley taking away the award.

The top shot stoppers in Irish football are recognised through the Goalkeeper Of The Year award The 2017 campaign saw City goalkeeper Mark McNulty pick up the goalkeeper of the year award, after a campaign which saw him play a key role in the league title success for the club.

McNulty also played a vital role in the FAI Cup final success for Cork with an impressive display, which included saving Michael Duffy's penalty kick to set Kieran Sadlier up to secure the City victory.

Indeed McNulty proved why he was one of the top goalkeepers in League Of Ireland Football during that period of time, having also picked up the individual silverware in 2014 and 2016.

Another one of the main awards of the ceremony every year is the Special Merit Award. This went to a true legend of football in Cork in 2021 through the form of the late, great Jerry Harris.

A true gentleman and one of the real good guys in both Cork and Irish football, Jerry was deservedly recognised for his contribution to the game in this country and in particular on Leeside.

First presented in 1994, the Special Merit award has been given to people who have had such a strong impact on the beautiful game of football in Ireland that their legacy will live on for many, many years to come.

Regardless of who comes out on top with the various awards (the 2023 nominees are outlined below), the Soccer Writers Ireland Awards banquet once again promises to be a great celebration.

Soccer Writers Ireland Awards 2023 Nominees:

Men's Personality of the Year Stephen Bradley (Shamrock Rovers) Jon Daly (St Patrick's Athletic) Kevin Doherty (Drogheda United) Damien Duff (Shelbourne) Ruairi Keating (Cork City FC) Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers) Women's Personality of the Year Karen Duggan (Peamount United) Ciaran Kilduff (Athlone Town) Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United) James O'Callaghan (Peamount United) Aine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers) Dana Scheriff (Athlone Town) Goalkeeper of the Year : Conor Kearns (Shelbourne) Brian Maher (Derry City) Niamh Reid Burke (Peamount United)