Paul Fenech holds the Malta FA Player of the Year award. Photo: Domenic Aquilina

Birkirkara midfielder Paul Fenech crowned an excellent season last night after winning the MFA Footballer of the Year award for the first time in his career.

The driving force of Birkirkara’s midfield, Fenech topped the poll with 53 points, just four ahead of team-mate and club captain Gareth Sciberras who was second.

Hibs winger Clayton Failla, the winner of the Malta Footballer of the Year award last year, had to settle for third place on 45 points, five better than Birkirkara’s Edward Herrera.

Justin Haber, the Birkirkara and Malta goalkeeper, was a distant fifth on 12 points.

Hailed as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Maltese football since coming to prominence with Naxxar Lions, Fenech has established himself as a mainstay of Birkirkara’s midfield alongside Sciberras.

At 26, Fenech is approaching the peak of his career. The nippy midfielder cemented his reputation last season as his enterprising showings were central to Birkirkara’s dramatic title triumph, secured after a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Hibernians in a title decider.

Thanks to his exploits for Birkirkara, Fenech, a key member of the national squad, has now joined some of the country’s footballing greats, the likes of Tony Nicholl, Louis Arpa, Carmel Busuttil and Gilbert Agius, on the prestigious list of MFA Footballer of the Year winners.

Fenech is only the second Birkirkara player to capture the coveted award after Shaun Bajada’s success in season 2009/10.

The announcement of the 2012/13 MFA Footballer of the Year was the highlight of an entertaining ceremony that cast the spotlight on the outstanding performers and top scorers in Maltese football last season.

Coming a week after Malta’s memorable win against Armenia in a World Cup qualifier, the MFA Awards at the MFCC provided a fitting end to the season.

While the MFA Footballer of the Year is the most important individual honour, this year’s awards also honoured the best coach, best young player (U-21) of the season and best foreign player.

Paul Zammit’s feat in leading Birkirkara to the league championship was hand-somely rewarded last night as he received the coach of the year award. Zammit amassed an impressive 110 points, 60 more than runner-up Michael Woods, of Hibs, while Tarxien’s Clive Mizzi took third place on 30 points.

While Birkirkara provided the winners in the two main categories, Hibs, the league runners-up and FA Trophy winners, enjoyed success in the Best Young Player (U-21) award thanks to midfielder Bjorn Kristensen.

The young Hibs player finished ahead of Birkirkara’s Zach Muscat and team-mate Jean Paul Farrugia.

Floriana’s Igor Coronado broke the dominance of Birkirkara and Hibs in this year’s awards as the Brazilian striker was voted best foreign player for season 2012/13.

It is a measure of Coronado’s terrific impact on the Premier League that he gained the highest number of points despite joining Floriana in November. Named BOV player of the match on a number of occasions, Coronado was at the heart of Floriana’s storming finish to the season, scoring 13 goals.

The 20-year-old beat Daniel Mariano Bueno, Tarxien’s Brazilian striker, and Birkirkara’s Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, to the best foreign player accolade.

Results

MFA Footballer of the Year: 1. Paul Fenech (Birkirkara) 53 points; 2. Gareth Sciberras 49; 3. Clayton Failla (Hibs) 45; 4. Edward Herrera (Birkirkara) 40; 5. Justin Haber (Birkirkara) 12.

Coach of the Year: 1. Paul Zammit (Birkirkara) 110; 2. Michael Woods (Hibs) 50; 3. Clive Mizzi (Tarxien) 30.

Best Young Player: 1. Bjorn Kristensen (Hibs) 88; 2. Zach Muscat (Birkirkara) 32; 3. Jean Paul Farrugia (Hibs) 30.

Best Foreign Player:1. Igor Coronado (Floriana) 52 points; 2. Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien) 46; 3. Alejandro Mendoza (Birkirkara) 24.

First Division Best Player: 1. Erjon Beu (Lija) 14; 2. Lydon Micallef (Vittoriosa) 12; 3. Raphael Kooh Sohna (Pietà) 11.

Second Division Best Player: 1. Omar Britto (Żebbuġ Rangers) 31; 2. Osi Lucky Agboebina (St George’s) 20; 3. Alan Tabone (Żebbuġ Rangers) 15.

Third Division Best Player: 1. Timmy Thomas (Senglea) 60; 2. Lee Schembri (Sirens) 18; 3. Marko Milutinovic (Marsaskala) 16.

Women’s League Best Player: 1. Dorianne Theuma (Mosta) 61; 2. Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara) 40; 3. Ylenia Carabott (Hibs) 26.

Best Youth League Player: 1. Llewlyn Cremona (Valletta) 27; 2. Yenz Cini (Valletta) 20; 3. Johann Bezzina (Hibs).

Fair play award: Pembroke Athleta.

Goal of the Year: Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara vs Mosta).

President’s Award: Cottonera United nursery.