Keating and Lopes up against standout managers for men's personality of the year award
The nominees for the 2023 SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland flagship awards have been announced.
In the men’s personality of the year category, four of the six nominees are managers - league and cup-winning bosses Stephen Bradley and Jon Daly.
The duo are joined by Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty and Damien Duff of Shelbourne.
The remaining two on the shortlist are League of Ireland Premier Division players - Ruairí Keating and Roberto Lopes.
Keating, who left Cork City for St Patrick's Athletic last week, has been nominated after a stellar season with the Rebel Army where he hit 15 goals in all competitions.
The striker has also been shortlisted for the PFAI player of the year gong alongside recent Republic of Ireland call-up, Jonathan Afolabi and new teammate Chris Forrester.
Having returned to the City side in mid-August after a leave of absence taken following the tragic death of his father Ciarán in July, Keating hit a career-first hat-trick in the league win against Sligo Rovers at the start of September.
Shamrock Rovers defender Lopes is acknowledged for his excellent season with the champions, where he balanced domestic and European concerns at club level with international duties with Cape Verde.
Shamrock Rovers’ Bradley led the Hoops to a record-equalling fourth successive Premier Division title, with a comfortable winning margin of seven points in the end.
St Patrick's Athletic manager Jon Daly - who only took full-time charge of the club in May - lifted the FAI Cup at the end of a strong campaign, which also saw his side finish third in the league, securing European football in 2024.
Damien Duff led Shelbourne back into European competition for the first time in 17 years courtesy of a
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