# SWAI Personality of the Year

The Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Personality of the Year is an annual award for the person considered to have made the most positive impact on the domestic League of Ireland season.
Instigated in 1961 - when Drumcondra's Dan McCaffrey was the winner - it is one of the few awards that can be given to either a player or manager. In fact, the recipient in 1964 was FAI secretary Joe Wickham.
The award is organised by the Soccer Writes' Association of Ireland.

## Selection Process

The winner of the SWAI Personality of the Year is chosen by members of the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. The selection process considers performance, influence, and contributions to the league over the course of a season. Both on-field excellence and off-field leadership are taken into account when determining the recipient.

## Notable Winners

Throughout the years, the award has recognized outstanding players, managers, and officials who have shaped Irish football. Some of the most notable winners include:
* Johnny Giles (1978) – Former Republic of Ireland international and manager.
* Jim McLaughlin (1979, 1984, 1989) – One of Ireland’s most successful club managers.
* Pat Fenlon (2004, 2006) – Multiple-time League of Ireland-winning manager.
* Damien Duff (2024) – Former Republic of Ireland international turned manager.

## Winners

| Year | Winner |
| 1961 | Dan McCaffrey (Drumcondra) |
| 1962 | Tommy Hamilton (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1963 | Willie Browne (Bohemians) |
| 1964 | Joe Wickham (Secretary, FAI) |
| 1965 | Seán Thomas (Bohemians) |
| 1966 | Liam Tuohy (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1967 | Al Finucane (Limerick) |
| 1968 | Johnny Fullam (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1969 | Mick Leech (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1970 | Peter Thomas (Waterford) |
| 1971 | Mick Meagan (Drogheda) |
| 1972 | Dave Bacuzzi (Cork Hibernians) |
| 1973 | Alfie Hale (Waterford) |
| 1974 | Paul O'Donovan (Cork Celtic) |
| 1975 | Johnny Fullam (Bohemians) |
| 1976 | Brendan Bradley (Finn Harps) |
| 1977 | Mick Smyth (Bohemians) |
| 1978 | Johnny Giles (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1979 | Jim McLaughlin (Dundalk) |
| 1980 | Eoin Hand (Limerick United) |
| 1981 | Turlough O'Connor (Athlone Town) |
| 1982 | Tommy McConville (Dundalk) |
| 1983 | Noel Larkin (Athlone Town) |
| 1984 | Jim McLaughlin (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1985 | Pat Byrne (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1986 | Liam O'Brien (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1987 | Mick Byrne (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1988 | Terry Eviston (Dundalk) |
| 1989 | Jim McLaughlin (Derry City) |
| 1990 | Damien Byrne (St Patrick's Athletic) |
| 1991 | Peter Hanrahan (Dundalk) |
| 1992 | Pat Byrne (Shelbourne) |
| 1993 | Pat Morley (Cork City) |
| 1994 | Stephen Geoghegan (Shamrock Rovers) |
| 1995 | Liam Coyle (Derry City) |
| 1996 | Brian Kerr (St Patrick's Athletic) |
| 1997 | Peter Hutton (Derry City) |
| 1998 | Pat Dolan (St Patrick's Athletic) |
| 1999 | Paul Osam (St Patrick's Athletic) |
| 2000 | Dermot Keely (Shelbourne) |
| 2001 | Glen Crowe (Bohemians) |
| 2002 | Paul Doolin (UCD) |
| 2002-03 | Glen Crowe (Bohemians) |
| 2003 | Alan Mathews (Longford Town) |
| 2004 | Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne) |
| 2005 | Damien Richardson (Cork City) |
| 2006 | Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne) |
| 2007 | Paul Doolin (Drogheda United) |
| 2008 | Owen Heary (Bohemians) |
| 2009 | Liam Buckley (Sporting Fingal) |
| 2024 | Damien Duff (Shelbourne) |

## See Also

* League of Ireland
* Football Association of Ireland
* PFAI Players' Player of the Year
* SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year