Soccer

Liam Buckley and Brendan Clarke pick up SWAI awards

St Pat's manager and goalkeeper recognised by football writers after memorable season

St. Patrick’s Athletic’s manager and SWAI personality of the year Liam Buckley flanked by Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill (right) and Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane (left) at the Airtricity/SWAI Personality of the Year Awards 2013 at The Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 Photograph: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Fri Jan 10 2014 - 20:31

St Patrick's Athletic manager Liam Buckley has been named Airtricity / Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland personality of the year.

After a memorable season in which they won a first title for 14 years, the Airtricity League Premier Division champions provided both winners on the night, with Brendan Clarke named goalkeeper of the year at the annual banquet in Dublin's Conrad Hotel.

Also in the running for the the awards, voted for by SWAI members, were Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny, former Athlone Town manager Roddy Collins, Dundalk midfielder Richie Towell and the St Pat's duo of Killian Brennan and Anthony Flood.

Clarke beat Dundalk's Peter Cherrie and Sligo Rovers's Gary Rogers to his accolade.

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“On behalf of Airtricity I’d like to extend our congratulations to our two very worthy winners from Inchicore, Liam Buckley and Brendan Clarke, and also to our superb selection of nominees for tonight’s awards,” said managing director of Airtricity Stephen Wheeler.

“The past season has been a wonderful spectacle. It’s fitting that the Personality of the Year Award should go to Liam Buckley, whose achievement in guiding St. Pats to their first League Title since 1999 is made all the more special when you consider his 1996 League title success as a player with the same club.”