Sadly set to miss the Euros after being injured during Ireland’s friendly with Slovakia, Elliot has been one of the few Newcastle players to emerge with credit from this season.
The 23-year-old midfielder has excelled since moving to Peterborough from St Pat’s — he was even likened to Michael Carrick by then-manager Graham Westley and made a recent Ireland provisional squad. He has made 41 appearances in total since joining the League One side, catching the eye in particular in the FA Cup against West Brom, and he is surely destined for bigger things if he continues at his current rate of progress.
The 23-year-old centre-back scored six goals in 40 appearances as the Gills fell just short as they attempted to gain promotion to the Championship. However, Egan’s future is uncertain, with his current contract up and Brentford having made a failed bid for him last January.
Former Shamrock Rovers player Stevens has recovered very well following his release from Aston Villa last summer. The 25-year-old Dubliner made 53 appearances, as Portsmouth narrowly missed out on promotion from League Two via the playoffs.
The 29-year-old Derby captain has caught the eye this year again, having featured in the Championship team of the year last season. He has made 52 appearances in total, while he is also expected to feature in the club’s play-off semi-final second-leg with Hull tonight.
It’s been a superb campaign for the 28-year-old Dublin-born winger, scoring six goals in 44 appearances as Aberdeen’s title challenge fell just short. Hayes, who made his Ireland debut against Switzerland back in March, was also shortlisted for the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year award.
The 27-year-old former Ireland U21 international also made the League Two team of the year, as he scored 12 goals in 43 appearances, helping Northampton to finish top of League Two in the process.
An outside contender for Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad, 24-year-old former Bohs youngster Doherty stood out as Wolves finished 14th in the Championship, making 38 appearances in total.
The Dublin-born midfielder and club captain picked up several awards this season at a recent ceremony for his consistently superb displays for the League Two side.
Honourable mentions for Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady, Michael Doyle and Shane Long, who were all shortlisted for their club’s award, as well as Cyrus Christie, who was named Derby’s Young Player of the Year.
Which Irish players impressed you this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Chris Forrester and 10 other Irish footballers named as their clubs' player of the year
Updated at 15.14
1. Alan Judge — Brentford
REGISTERED 14 GOALS and 11 assists despite missing the final few games of the season through injury, Judge also recently made his Ireland debut against Switzerland and has been persistently linked with a move to the Premier League.
2. Rob Elliot — Newcastle
Sadly set to miss the Euros after being injured during Ireland’s friendly with Slovakia, Elliot has been one of the few Newcastle players to emerge with credit from this season.
3. Chris Forrester — Peterborough
The 23-year-old midfielder has excelled since moving to Peterborough from St Pat’s — he was even likened to Michael Carrick by then-manager Graham Westley and made a recent Ireland provisional squad. He has made 41 appearances in total since joining the League One side, catching the eye in particular in the FA Cup against West Brom, and he is surely destined for bigger things if he continues at his current rate of progress.
4. John Egan — Gillingham
The 23-year-old centre-back scored six goals in 40 appearances as the Gills fell just short as they attempted to gain promotion to the Championship. However, Egan’s future is uncertain, with his current contract up and Brentford having made a failed bid for him last January.
5. Enda Stevens — Portsmouth
Former Shamrock Rovers player Stevens has recovered very well following his release from Aston Villa last summer. The 25-year-old Dubliner made 53 appearances, as Portsmouth narrowly missed out on promotion from League Two via the playoffs.
6. Richard Keogh — Derby
The 29-year-old Derby captain has caught the eye this year again, having featured in the Championship team of the year last season. He has made 52 appearances in total, while he is also expected to feature in the club’s play-off semi-final second-leg with Hull tonight.
7. Jonny Hayes – Aberdeen
It’s been a superb campaign for the 28-year-old Dublin-born winger, scoring six goals in 44 appearances as Aberdeen’s title challenge fell just short. Hayes, who made his Ireland debut against Switzerland back in March, was also shortlisted for the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year award.
8. John-Joe O’Toole — Northampton
The 27-year-old former Ireland U21 international also made the League Two team of the year, as he scored 12 goals in 43 appearances, helping Northampton to finish top of League Two in the process.
9. Greg Cunningham — Preston
The 25-year-old former Man City full-back has enjoyed a solid season at the back for Championship side Preston, making 46 appearances in total.
10. Matt Doherty — Wolves
An outside contender for Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad, 24-year-old former Bohs youngster Doherty stood out as Wolves finished 14th in the Championship, making 38 appearances in total.
11. Mark Byrne — Newport County
The Dublin-born midfielder and club captain picked up several awards this season at a recent ceremony for his consistently superb displays for the League Two side.
Honourable mentions for Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady, Michael Doyle and Shane Long, who were all shortlisted for their club’s award, as well as Cyrus Christie, who was named Derby’s Young Player of the Year.
Which Irish players impressed you this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
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Alan Judge Chris Forrester Irish Players John Egan Player of the Year Richard Keogh Rob Elliot standing out