Cork City clean up at PFAI Awards following First Division triumph

Cork City cleaned up at the PFAI awards with Charlie Lyons named First Division Player of the Year and Tim Clancy was selected as First Division Manager of the Year.

Douglas native Josh Honohan was named in the Premier Division Team of the Year after helping Shamrock Rovers to a second-place finish and qualification to the group stages of the UEFA Conference League.

The Men's First Division Team of the Year was also named, with Cork City's Brad Wade, Cian Coleman, Lyons, Evan McLaughlin, Cathal O’Sullivan and Greg Bolger included.

This followed a memorable season for the club that saw the men's team win the First Division title at a canter under Clancy, who finished his first year in charge with a trophy and promotion. That was always the goal after experiencing relegation through the play-offs in 2023.

KEY SIGNING

Clancy was appointed as manager in the immediate aftermath of the loss to Waterford and the coach started by building a team that included the recruitment of Lyons from cross-town rivals Cobh Ramblers.

The Innishannon native went on to make 33 league appearances and score five goals from his position in defence.

The PFAI commendation follows Lyons picking up the Cork City Men’s Player of the Year award last week. The defender was also named in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Team of the Year, with his fourth reward being a new contract that will keep him at Turner’s Cross for the 2025 season.

Coleman worked alongside Lyons, and the club captain hit the back of the net five times last year. McLaughlin joined from Derry City, and he got five goals in 34 games under Clancy.

Wade was the designated goalkeeper, and the shot-stopper recorded 11 clean sheets during the first 17 games of the season.

O’Sullivan broke through during that period and the teenager, who was named Cork City’s Young Player of the Year last week, scored seven times in 28 games.

Bolger anchored the play in the middle of the park, and he will act as a player/coach with the club in 2025.

Honohan picked up the award after a mixed season with Shamrock Rovers, a year that saw the Dubliners’ five-in-a-row bid ended by Shelbourne on the final day.

Consolation came in the form of a place in the league phase of Europe’s tertiary competition, a run which included a place in the Europa League play-off round.

The defender, who also lined out for Douglas Hall, is on the cusp of making Irish football history as Shamrock Rovers are on the verge of qualifying for the next stage of the Conference League following their victories over Larne and TNS.