Four players from Dundalk and Cork City have been nominated for the PFAI Player of the Year award.
The two sides have challenged each other again for the 2016 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, with reigning champions Dundalk now holding a seven point gap at the top with three matches to go.
Both sides will also do battle in the upcoming FAI Cup final - a repeat of the 2015 final.
And some of their key individuals' exploits have been recognised.
Daryl Horgan and Stephen O’Donnell are the two Dundalk players nominated for PFAI Player of the Year.
They are up against Cork City duo Sean Maguire and Greg Bolger for the award.
PFAI short lists revealed. Dundalk/Cork dominate main award and team of the year. pic.twitter.com/DNAgtYYrVP
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) October 18, 2016
Winger Horgan (scorer of 10 league goals) and O'Donnell have shone for Dundalk both domestically and in the Europa League, while Maguire has scored 16 goals in the League of Ireland this season.
Maguire is also up for Young Player of the Year alongside Bray Wanderers' Dylan Connolly and his Cork City colleague Kevin O'Connor.
Gary Rogers, PFA Ireland Chairman, Dundalk's Stephen O'Donnell, nominated for the PFA Ireland Player of the Year Award and Gary O'Neill of UCD, PFA Ireland First Division Player of the Year nominee ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
The 2015 individual award winner was Dundalk's Richie Towell, following on from St Pats' Christy Fagan (2014), Killian Brennan (2013) and Mark Quigley, then of Sligo Rovers in 2012.
Dundalk and Cork's dominance is also reflected in the PFAI Team of the Year with the two clubs providing 10 of the 11 inductees.
PFA Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year as voted for by the players. pic.twitter.com/ejtzq9eDgJ
— PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) October 18, 2016
The nominees for First Division Player of the Year are Shane Duggan (Limerick), Chris Mulhall (Limerick) and Gary O'Neill(UCD).
That trio are also in the First Division Team of the Year.
PFA Ireland First Division team of the year as voted for by the players. pic.twitter.com/5588OQtfZn
— PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) October 18, 2016
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
