Fenlon takes writers' award

News: Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon was named as the Eircom Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the Year over the weekend with the Dubliner beating off competition from local favourites Pat Dolan and Kevin Doyle at an event held in Cork

The 35-year-old earned the award by steering Shelbourne to a successful defence of their league title and by guiding his team to the third round of the Champions League qualifiers where they were eventually beaten by Spanish giants Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 after holding them to a goalless draw in Lansdowne Road.

It was his side's run in Europe, in particular, that helped cement Fenlon's reputation as the country's brightest young managerial talent and his achievements attracted interest from overseas with at least one Scottish Premier League club considering an approach for his services.

"Obviously I'm delighted with the award," said Fenlon on Saturday night, "but the reality is that I wouldn't be standing here receiving it if it wasn't for a huge amount of work and dedication of the players and all the rest of the management team at Shelbourne so I accept it on their behalf as well."

Shelbourne also took the goalkeeping award with Steve Williams lifting the prize for the second year in succession. Cork City's Michael Devine and Dan Connor, then of Waterford United, were also nominated but Williams's 17 clean sheets in 49 appearances gave him the edge.

The association's Special Merit award, meanwhile, went to former Cork Athletic and Cork United wing half Willie Cotter. A long-time employee of the Cork Examiner, Cotter was a member of Athletic's league and cup double winning side of 1951 when the southerners beat Shelbourne by a solitary goal in the cup final.