First-Ever NIFL Football Awards Celebrate NI’s Football Finest

It was an historic night at the Titanic Belfast as the inaugural NIFL Football Awards played out to a packed crowd

The prestigious black-tie event celebrated the outstanding contributions, achievements, and excellence of clubs, players, and individuals throughout Irish League football.

If you’d like your brand to be involved in the NIFL Football Awards for 2026, please email awards@nifootballleague.com.

Manager of the Year (Sponsored by Juice Jar)

Rodney McAree – Dungannon Swifts FC

Lifetime Contribution Award

David Jeffrey MBE

Premiership Player of the Year (Sponsored by Sports Direct):

Joel Cooper – Linfield FC

Championship Player of the Year (Sponsored by Playr-Fit):

Ben Arthurs – Bangor FC

Premier Intermediate League Player of the Year (Sponsored by Playr-Fit)

Ruairi Fitzpatrick – Rathfriland Rangers FC

Goal of the Season (Sponsored by uhlsport)

Jordan Jenkins (Glentoran) v Cliftonville – August 2024

Female Contribution to Professional Football in NI (Sponsored by Irish FA)

Louise Thompson – Referee

Club Employee Excellence Award (Sponsored by Route Media)

Bernard Thompson – Crusaders FC

Club Community Initiative of the Year (Sponsored by Third Sector Connect)

Glentoran FC – Glentoran Social Partnership

Club Marketing Campaign of the Year (Sponsored by Omega Outdoor)

Larne FC – ‘I was there’ European campaign

Heart of the Club (Sponsored by TicketCo)

Gary Eccles – Linfield FC