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Post by earl on May 14, 2008 15:46:42 GMT
Irish League champions Linfield have walked off with another trophy double.
After winning the Irish League title and Irish Cup for the third season in succession, the Blues took the two top honours at last night's Harp Northern Ireland Football Writers dinner in Belfast's Europa Hotel.
Five years after winning the Young Player of the Year award, Michael Gault was named Presseye Player of the Year after an outstanding season in the Linfield midfield.
His performances as the Blues marched to the 48th league title in their history won Gault a Northern Ireland cap and it has been without doubt the best season of his career after being affected by illness last season and missing the Irish Cup final.
Gault has now emulated the achievements of Linfield captain Noel Bailie and Glentoran defender Mark Glendinning in winning both the Young Player and Player of the Year awards, but none of them can match former Bangor man Paul Byrne who walked off with the two awards on the same night 15 years ago.
Twenty-five-year-old Gault took the prize just ahead of his Windsor Park team-mate - and fellow international - Peter Thompson, who missed out despite knocking in 44 goals in a remarkable season.
Cliftonville defender Ronan Scannell was also on the shortlist of nominees.
And on another glittering night for the Blues, manager David Jeffrey was named as Manager of the Year.
After leading his team to another season of dominance in the local game, it was no surprise that Jeffrey walked off with the title for the third season in succession to go with the three Manager of the Month awards he won this season.
It is the sixth time in the last nine years that the Windsor Park chief has taken the award, beating Ronnie McFall's total of five, but he still has some to go if he is to overtake Roy Coyle, who won that particular prize eight times.
It is another treble double for the Blues too. Two years ago striker Glenn Ferguson was named as the top player and last season the accolade went to defender William Murphy.
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Post by Bilk on May 14, 2008 15:55:48 GMT
Ok I'm a blueman, and I'm delighted for the club, but to be honest I am getting a little bored. The Irish league is almost as exciting as the premiereship, it's the same few teams every year, and Linfield like Man U are top of the tree. I would honestly (and I know some of you won't believe this because I'm a blueman) like to see some of the other clubs come up and challenge them for some trophies. I wonder at the Man U fans getting so excited at winning the league, you'd think it was something they hadn't done in a while. I find it hard now to get excited about the Linfield win.
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Post by earl on May 14, 2008 16:14:46 GMT
I know that the next time Liverpool wins the league, I will kill myself with alcoholic poisoning.
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Post by Jim on May 14, 2008 16:21:26 GMT
Ok I'm a blueman, and I'm delighted for the club, but to be honest I am getting a little bored. The Irish league is almost as exciting as the premiereship, it's the same few teams every year, and Linfield like Man U are top of the tree. I would honestly (and I know some of you won't believe this because I'm a blueman) like to see some of the other clubs come up and challenge them for some trophies. I wonder at the Man U fans getting so excited at winning the league, you'd think it was something they hadn't done in a while. I find it hard now to get excited about the Linfield win. Thats why you should support Cliftonville. |
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Post by Bilk on May 14, 2008 17:59:28 GMT
Ok I'm a blueman, and I'm delighted for the club, but to be honest I am getting a little bored. The Irish league is almost as exciting as the premiereship, it's the same few teams every year, and Linfield like Man U are top of the tree. I would honestly (and I know some of you won't believe this because I'm a blueman) like to see some of the other clubs come up and challenge them for some trophies. I wonder at the Man U fans getting so excited at winning the league, you'd think it was something they hadn't done in a while. I find it hard now to get excited about the Linfield win. Thats why you should support Cliftonville. Actually they're not a bad side, they are trying hard to break the stranglehold. |
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