Extratime.ie League of Ireland Team of the Year 2016

Goalkeeper: Mark McNulty (Cork City)

A good case could be made for either Gary Rogers, whose performances earned him call-ups to the national squad, and PFAI choice Ger Doherty, no keeper in the league can match the Cork City man for sheer consistency over a number of season. While City fell short of the line in the title race, McNulty manned the meanest goal in the league with just 23 conceded (and seven of those came in two freak defeats in the final two weeks) – an astounding feat at this level.

Right-back: Kevin O'Connor (Cork City)

While nominally one of two left-backs in the team, such is O'Connor's versatility that he can and has played across the back and in midfield. He's shown exactly why John Caulfield sprung to take him to Turner's Cross from Waterford United midway through last season, and why he was so keen to tie him to a multi-year deal. O'Connor has been a star for the Ireland under-21s and City will do very well to convince him to stay in the league another year.

Centre-half: Brian Gartland (Dundalk)

What is left to be said about Brian Gartland? When Dundalk wobbled in the league, losing twice amid their European qualification run, they did so in the absence of the totemic Dubliner. Gartland broke his wrist in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier with FH and missed a number of weeks, returning in time to net a decisive goal in a difficult August win over Bohemians that set them back on course to retain the title – and he chipped in four more in the run-in to finish Dundalk's fourth-highest scorer on eight.

Centre-half: Andy Boyle (Dundalk)

When Martin O'Neill suggested there were a number of Dundalk players capable of making the step up to the international side, the likes of Rogers and Daryl Horgan were already known to be in his thoughts. There was more uncertainty about the identity of the others, however. At 25, Boyle has the right mix of experience and athleticism to prove himself at that level. Indeed, it wouldn't be his first brush with the senior squad, having been selected by Stephen Kenny to train with them during Noel King's brief reign. With Stephen O'Donnell injured and suspended at the tail end of the season, Boyle stepped up, and led from the front with a goal in the league-clinching win over Bohs.

Left-back: Dane Massey (Dundalk)

The third member of the Lilywhites backline to make the cut, Massey has established himself as one of the league's premier full-backs in his four years in Dundalk, having been a member of a struggling Bray Wanderers outfit to that point. The former futsal international may not be the strongest defensively, but his pace, engine and technical ability make him one of the most effective in the league. Has made the transition to Europa League level easily, and had a key role in second-leg goals against both FH and BATE.

Midfield: Greg Bolger (Cork City)

John Caulfield was brave enough to make radical changes to his squad after falling well short of Dundalk in 2015, and one of his key recruits was Bolger, who left St Patrick's Athletic in somewhat acrimonious circumstances. Saints' loss has been City's gain, though, as Bolger added a steel and dynamism beyond the aging legs of Liam Miller and Colin Healy, while his range of passing from deep allowed Caulfield to play a more expansive style that brought rewards in Europe. Bolger is the best midfielder in the league and one Caulfield must persuade to stay at Turners Cross if they're to challenge next year.

Midfielder: Ronan Finn (Dundalk)

One of the most notable features of Dundalk's success this season has how seamlessly they appeared to compensate for the loss of Richie Towell to Brighton. While Towell was seen as irreplaceable by many, for Finn his departure provided an opportunity to become the main driver of Dundalk's play, a role he had had to cede the previous season. In and out of the team last season, this year Finn has been a virtual ever-present as the Lilywhites kicked on yet another level and achieved arguably their most impressive league win of the three.

Midfielder: Chris Shields (Dundalk)

A strange choice on first viewing, not least because it comes at the expense of the more-celebrated club captain Stephen O'Donnell. Shields has been the main loser from the arrival of Patrick McEleney and Robbie Benson this year, and the early rounds in Europe saw him relegated to a bench role, but no player has epitomised the step up Dundalk have made from league to Europa League more than Shields, who's added to his diligence in defence a directness in attack Kenny's side otherwise lack.

Forward: Daryl Horgan (Dundalk)

The least surprising inclusion of all. A key challenge for Stephen Kenny this year was how to recoup the 25 league goals scored last year by the departed Towell. While Dundalk haven't matched their record-breaking total of old, they haven't been found wanting and that's down in large part to Horgan, who's chipped in with winning goals in crunch games, chipping in nine in total and creating many more. The outstanding player in the League of Ireland right now will have a lot of offers from abroad this winter and it may be that qualification for the knockout stages is the only thing that could persuade him to stay.

Forward: Sean Maguire (Cork City)

A question mark hung over the Kilkenny man's head at the beginning of the season after he had failed to establish himself at Dundalk after returning from a spell in England. He turned that question mark into an exclamation point from day one, putting in a stunning individual performance against Bohemians on the opening day as Cork laid down their intent early on. Maguire would go on to top the scoring charts with 18 in the league, five in the cup and three in the Europa League while re-establishing himself with Ireland under-21s. Another player who has options at home and abroad to ponder.

Forward: Dave McMillan (Dundalk)

If Horgan answered Stephen Kenny's call for goals to compensate for the loss of Towell, so too did McMillan. The Templeogue man had never been one of the league more prolific strikers, but he's added a ruthless streak in the past two seasons and has fought off fierce competition from Ciaran Kilduff and Maguire. Found himself in the scarcely believable position of the Champions League's top goalscorer when he bagged five in four games in qualifying, and finished with 16 overall in the league. He's shown himself more than able to play the lone striker role against international defenders (AZ's Ron Vlaar played in a World Cup final) and will be thirsty to break his Europa League duck sooner rather than later.

Manager of the Year: Stephen Kenny (Dundalk)

How could it be anybody else? He was one of the three Kennies to make up the PFAI shortlist (alongside Mister Harry and Mr Shiels), but the final result was never in doubt. Stephen Kenny has had many successful years in the League of Ireland, but he surpassed himself this year by not only seeing off the stiffest domestic challenge yet but climbing a grade in Europe too. The Lilywhites may have only won one game from six in qualfication, but that itself is indicative of a greater ruthlessness and ability to succeed by any means that characterises the great sides.

Young Player of the Year: Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers)

Connolly may not have made the Team of the Year, but he edged out Sean Maguire to win the young player's award, having impressed since his return from Ipswich Town. Connolly has flourished under the guidance Harry Kenny, his direct style and searing pace proving a nightmare for even the league's best defenders. The former Shelbourne man notched five goals in his first year at Bray, but some late-season appearances in a more central attacking role hints he may look to increase that next year.

First Division Player of the Year: Chris Mulhall (Limerick)

Getting the nod ahead of teammate and captain Shane Duggan, Mulhall has been rewarded for taking the risk of leaving UCD, with whom he'd spent four years, to link up once again with Martin Russell at Limerick. Mulhall was primarily a winger in his time in Belfield, but Russell has shows faith in his abilities as a striker, and the Portlaoise man has paid him back with 12 goals – three times his previous best haul, though not enough to scoop the top scorer gong, which went (along with an honourable mention) to UCD's Gary O'Neill.

International Player of the Year: Robbie Brady

No image better sums up the year in Irish football than that of Brady running, tears streaming down his face, towards the Irish support after scoring the goal that took Ireland past Italy to the second round of Euro 2016. While he hasn't had a 'breakout' year in the sense that Jeff Hendrick – a close second in the tally – had, his displays in France epitomised the changing of the guard in the Irish team and the rise of younger, more self-confident players. Unlucky not to get a move straight back to the Premier League, Brady's class means he may yet start 2017 at a top club.