It's time for the fourth annual Soccer Forum Irish Player of the Year award. Previous winners include
Daryl Horgan,
Sean Maguire, and
Matt Doherty. Which player will the forum give it to this time?
2019 will likely go down as somewhat of a cliffhanger year, with our qualification campaign still in the balance. We head into 2020 with an away trip to Slovakia on the horizon, and if we successfully overcome that tricky hurdle there will be an away trip to Bosnia or Belfast. Off-field issues with the FAI also leave an uncertain future.
The year saw the Irish team play 10 matches. 5 of them turned out wins, 4 were draws, and there was 1 defeat - to Switzerland. Goals proved to be in short supply with only 13 goals scored in the 10 games, 6 of them coming in the two home friendlies with Bulgaria and New Zealand. The defence was more respectable with 7 goals conceded in total.
With all that being said there were several Irish players who had a good year, and in selecting these 7 nominees I attempted to narrow it down to those who did well for both club and country. If you feel someone has been overlooked there will be an option to include them provided. On to the contenders...
Darren Randolph
The man who finished 3rd in last year's poll had another strong campaign, making some crucial saves to earn the team points. In the defeat to Switzerland he was the best player, saving a penalty. At his club Middlesbrough he made the PFA Championship Team of the Season and has recently been linked with a move back to his old club West Ham.
Matt Doherty
Last year's winner had another good year, earning himself a new contract at Wolves and making an impact in their Europa League campaign. He got 4 league goals last season, and this season has already managed 2. For Ireland he seemed to settle into the side much better as the campaign unfolded and he grabbed a late equaliser in the draw with Denmark.
John Egan
He was at the heart of the Sheffield United defence that achieved promotion to the Premier League and has gone on to give a good account of himself in what has been an impressive season so far for the Blades. For Ireland, he was called upon when Richard Keogh suffered his season-ending injury and he did well against Georgia, coming close to scoring by hitting the post. He went on to captain the team in the friendly win over Bulgaria and looks likely to start against Slovakia.
Shane Duffy
The man who finished runner-up in this award the last two years has proven once again to be one of our most important players. He played well in the big games and scored the equaliser away in Denmark. At club level he played his part in Brighton staying up under Chris Hughton and has scored 3 goals in 2019, though he has struggled to tie down a starting place under Graham Potter.
Enda Stevens
Like Egan, Stevens was a key part of the Sheffield United side that gained promotion. He scored 4 goals in early 2019 in the Championship and recently scored his first Premier League goal against Norwich. He also provided a lovely assist for teammate Callum Robinson against Chelsea. For Ireland, he has made the LB spot his own.
Conor Hourihane
Hourihane produced 7 goals in Villa's promotion season in the Championship, as well as a big goal in the play-off semi-final against West Brom, and was rewarded with a new contract at his club. He also managed a goal and assist against Newcastle last month and has chipped in with a few goals in Villa's League Cup run to the semi-finals. For Ireland, his great free-kick against Georgia proved the winner and his set-piece deliveries have been important.
David McGoldrick
McGoldrick played a big part in Sheffield United's promotion campaign and bagged 7 goals and 2 assists in 2019 in the Championship. He was unlucky not to add his first Premier League goal against Spurs after the tightest of VAR calls, but he has contributed 2 assists this season. For Ireland he has led the line very well, scoring an equaliser at home to the Swiss, and being named MOTM at home to Georgia. His absence for the away game in Switzerland was noticeable.
Feel free to add anyone you think has been overlooked. I considered breakout talents like Connolly and Parrott but felt there wasn't enough minutes compared to the names above. Jack Byrne was a name I thought about too but felt his lack of involvement in the competitive games counted against him compared to the aforementioned players. Sean Maguire finished the campaign well, but thought he was unconvincing at the beginning of it.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide the basis for your vote. You might want to lean towards national team showings, club performances, or a combination of the two.
I think it's an open enough field this year. I will leave the poll open for a little over a week with the winner to be determined on Saturday, 28th. That should be enough time to have a think about it and cast your vote.
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