PFAI Young Player of the Year
 |
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Young Player of the Year (often called the PFAI Players' Young Player of the Year, the PFAI Young Player of the Year, or simply the Young Player of the Year) award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Irish football, the League of Ireland, whom is seen to have been the best player of the previous season and is under 23 years of age.
The shortlist is compiled by the members of the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland (the PFAI), and then the winner is voted for by the other players in the league.
The award was first given in 1982, and was won by Bohemians player Jacko McDonagh. The latest winner of the award was Mark Quigley of St Patrick's Athletic.
List of winners
Highlighted players are winning the award for a second time.
2000s
1990s
1980s
Breakdown of winners
Winners by club
| Club | Number of wins |
|---|---|
| Shelbourne | 5 (1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003) |
| Derry City | 4 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006) |
| Bohemians | 3 (1982, 1988, 1994) |
| UCD | 3 (1984, 1996, 2002) |
| Dundalk | 2 (1990, 1993) |
| Limerick | 2 (1985, 1991) |
| St Patrick's Athletic | 2 (1998, 2007) |
| Shamrock Rovers | 2 (1986, 1990) |
| Bray Wanderers | 1 (2003) |
| Cork City | 1 (1995) |
| Home Farm | 1 (1983) |
| Sligo Rovers | 1 (1987) |
| Waterford United | 1 (2004) |
Winners by country
| Country | Number of wins |
|---|---|
 Republic of Ireland |
24 (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2003, 2004, 2007) |
 Northern Ireland |
4 (1989, 1997, 2005, 2006) |
Trivia
- In 2000, Richie Baker became the first - and so far only - player to win the award twice. He achieved this feat by winning the award in successive seasons
- In 1990, the award was shared between Vinny Arkins and Tony Cousins. This is the only year that the award was shared.
- In 1989, Liam Coyle became the first player from outside of the Republic of Ireland to win the award.