Swifts boss McAree wins NIFWA Manager of the Year

BBC News

04-05-2025

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree has been named Manager of the Year at the annual Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association awards.McAree won the award ahead of Linfield boss David Healy and Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton, who were also nominated.He helped the Swifts to their first ever Irish Cup triumph after beating Cliftonville on penalties in Saturday's decider as well as a fourth place Irish Premiership finish and a Mid-Ulster Cup win."It has been an incredible weekend for our football club. I want to thank everyone at Dungannon Swifts for their support this season, our success is a team effort," said McAree.Linfield forward Joel Cooper was named Player of the Year after a stellar campaign for the Blues.Cooper, who will join Coleraine in the summer, scored 19 league goals as the Blues won the Gibson Cup before the split.He beat off competition from Swifts midfielder Gael Bigirimana and Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley to claim the award.Fellow Blues player Matthew Orr was named Young Player of the Year after playing a key role in the title win in his first season with the first team.After helping Bangor to promotion by scoring 24 league goals, Ben Arthurs won Championship Player of the Year.Northern Ireland legends Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas were inducted into the Dr Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame."It's an incredible honour to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside genuine greats such as George Best and Harry Gregg," said Davis."It was always a privilege to represent my country and the people of Northern Ireland. To receive an accolade like this is incredible."Earlier this month, Liverpool defender Conor Bradley was named International Player of the Year, while Northern Ireland winger Danielle Maxwell was chosen as Women's Premiership Player of the Year after helping Cliftonville to an unbeaten campaign.Manager of the Year: Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts)Player of the Year: Joel Cooper (Linfield)NIFWA Young Player of the Year: Matthew Orr (Linfield)NIFWA Championship Player of the Year: Ben Arthurs (Bangor)NIFWA Team of the Year: Daniel Gyollai (Glentoran); Matthew Orr (Linfield), Kodi Lyons-Foster (Glentoran), Euan East (Linfield), Adam Glenny (Dungannon Swifts); Fuad Sule (Glentoran), Rory Hale (Cliftonville), Gael Bigirimania (Dungannon Swifts), Joel Cooper; Matthew Fitzpatrick (both Linfield), Joe Gormley (Cliftonville)