For Kenny, the award was in recognition of his achievement in leading Dundalk to a third successive league title and guiding his team through a memorable campaign in Europe.

Dundalk were only denied a second successive double by league runners-up Cork City, with ‘keeper McNulty, consistent throughout the season, playing a key role in the Leesider’s FAI Cup triumph at the Aviva Stadium.

At the gala dinner in Dublin’s Conrad Hotel, Ireland manager Martin O’Neill made a special presentation, on behalf of the SWAI, to Robbie Keane, who retired from international football in 2016 as the national team’s record goal-scorer with 68 goals.

Keane, in turn, made a presentation, again on behalf of the soccer writers, to Brendan Bradley, the all-time League of Ireland goal-scorer with 235 goals. In a small piece of history, the occasion marked the first time the international and domestic record-holders were pictured together.

At a ceremony which was also attended by Ireland Assistant Manager Roy Keane, the Liam Tuohy Special Merit Award was presented to the veteran Joe Veselsky.

The Slovakian has had a long association with the League of Ireland, first through Shamrock Rovers, where he was a director in 1970s, and later at UCD, where he has been Executive Life President since 1987.

A jeweller by profession, for many years Joe provided an engraved watch to the winner of the Personality of the Year award. Born in 1918, he has also been a leading figure in Irish table tennis for many years.