Colin Healy has played in some big games throughout his 16-year career but tonight's title decider in Oriel Park will be the biggest one yet. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE

Midfielder Richie Towell is set to try his luck across the water, spending time with Championship side Cardiff in the hope of securing a switch. Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

As the curtain draws on another campaign and the preposterously long winter break begins, we may as well get in the spirit of awards season.

Player of the Year

The PFAI final four features Dundalk pair Richie Towell and Pat Hoban, St Pat's Christy Fagan and Cork's Colin Healy and it's a solid list. Towell has brightened up the league but, in the final weeks of the campaign, it could be argued that Hoban had a slightly bigger impact, setting a club record with 20 Premier Division goals. He deserves the accolade.

Goal of the Year

Dundalk's Sean Gannon was just unlucky that his magic moment - the finishing touch from a 36 pass move involving all 10 outfield players - came in the same month as Chris Forrester's instinctive 40-yard volley at Drogheda. Colin Healy's overhead was marvellous, but Forrester shades this because there wasn't even a goal threat when the ball bounced his way.

Unsung Heroes

Some of these players actually do get sung about but they didn't make the PFAI's Team of the Year so this is effectively an alternative team in a 4-3-3. Ryan (Limerick); Kavanagh (Cork), Hoare (St Pat's), McBride (Derry), Massey (Dundalk); Holohan (Drogheda), Shields (Dundalk), Wearen (Bohs); Byrne (St Pat's), Gaffney (Limerick), Corcoran (Bohs).

One to Watch

Galway's promotion is a hugely positive development for the league and it will give those who believe the creative Ryan Manning is the real deal the chance to see how he matches up with the best.

Gripe of the Year

A variety of these have been touched upon in recent columns but some points cannot be repeated enough. The short season and associated fixture congestion is maddening and the fact that players missed important league games at the end of term due to four bookings in 30+ games is completely unjustifiable.

Farce of the Year

No contest really. The damaged penalty spot and the cancellation of the Bohemians-Shamrock Rovers Dalymount derby was an embarrassing night and nobody emerged with credit. Hopefully, lessons were learned.

Biggest Disappointment

Take your pick between the two Rovers, but Sligo's decline really is shocking. A group that started the year as prospective challengers wound up 31 points behind Dundalk. John Coleman was a poor choice to replace the unlucky Ian Baraclough and his departure for Accrington didn't cause much grief. Owen Heary has a serious job on his hands.

Quote of the Year

"Sorry lads, I was s***e". After a loss in Inchicore, reserve keeper Aaron Shanahan turned around to a bunch of Bohemians fans behind his goal and offered a frank assessment of his contribution.

Longest Memory

Stephen O'Donnell's comeback from a devastating knee injury to league success has been well documented. At a low point in April, the Galwegian spotted a Twitter discussion between two St Pat's fans delighting in his misfortune. O'Donnell waited until the dust settled on title joy before putting out a tweet thanking them for being his motivation. He enjoyed that.

Rant of the Year

Roddy Collins had strong views on the prevailing attitude at Derry City and made them clear after a Brandywell defeat to Shamrock Rovers in April. "This is a professional football club, it's not a YMCA," he raged. "And it has to be turned into one because it's built on sand. If it's not done right now, it's finished for the next ten years. I know what I'm doing and I know the final outcome." Collins left the club three days later.

Clever Tweet

As Ireland lost its dignity in the clamour to find honeymooning superstars Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, somebody at Cork City spotted an opening for an intelligent publicity stunt, sending out a picture of reserved seating for the pair ahead of their next league game with Athlone along with the caption: "They've got their seat, make sure you get yours." It went viral and was picked up by US media.

Top Travel Tale

Officials at Dundalk were stunned ahead of the title decider with Cork when a Brazilian, who had previously lived in the town for a year, arrived at the door explaining that he'd made the snap decision to fly in a day before. He turned up with a pal but without tickets. After trusting that his tale was legit, two spare tickets were found during the first half. Hence, the presence of a Brazilian flag in the frenzied celebrations.

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