Chris Shields scoops SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year award

Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields was named SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year at the 29th annual FAI International Football Awards ceremony on Sunday evening.

All three nominees for the award came from the double-winners in the shape of Shields, Michael Duffy, who won the PFAI Player of the Year, and Patrick Hoban, who was the league’s top scorer.

The 2018 season was a truly remarkable one for the 28-year-old Shields, who has morphed into what is arguably the most complete midfield player in the League of Ireland at the present moment.

The Clondalkin native – who has made close to 200 league appearances since joining the Lilywhites in 2012 – had built up a reputation over the past number of years for being a combative enforcer.

While that remains an integral part of his game, his passing range has improved drastically and he’s even chipped in with some crucial goals, most notably in last September’s 1-0 win at Cork City.

“It’s funny, four or five games into a new season, you’re trying to focus on that and you’re brought back to the success of last year which was a great year for the club,” said Shields as he picked up his award.

“It’s a credit being up there myself, Mickey (Duffy) and Pat (Hoban) being up for most of the awards, it’s kind of unheard of so it’s a credit to the group and the three of us.”

He then went on to praise former Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny, who was no doubt a major factor in his development before leaving Oriel Park to take over the Republic of Ireland under-21s.

“He (Kenny) was entirely crucial to myself and to the group along with Vinny (Perth), who was with him and has now taken Stephen’s role. He helped me, he’s a great man manager.

“I think a lot of players even in the senior squad that he’s worked with will tell you the same, he can fill you up with confidence and he can give you a kick up the backside when you need it as well.”

Not wanting to dwell on last season’s achievements, the currently injured Shields is fully focused on retaining their League of Ireland and FAI Cup crowns as well as an improved European run in 2019.

“We want to be retaining the trophies that we won last year and then obviously, we had a disappointing European campaign last year so we want to put that right.

“Albeit being back in the Champions League qualifications this year so we’re fully focused on that and it’s only the start for us now at the minute.”

Other award winners on the night included Shane Duffy, who once again won the International Player of the Year while Declan Rice, rather controversially, was named as Young Player of the Year.

Former Derry City striker Ronan Curtis – now plying his trade with Portsmouth – won the under-21 award and St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeping wonderkid Brian Maher picked up the under-18 gong.

Daire O'Connor (Cork City) and Ali Reghba (Bohemians) were also recognised in the College and Schools categories respectively with the great Brendan Bradley receiving the Special Merit Award.