Double delight for Failla

Hibernians, the newly-crowned Malta champions, had further cause to celebrate last night after landing the most prestigious prizes at the 2009 Melita Malta Football Awards.

Clayton Failla, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Sliema Wanderers, crowned an excellent season by winning two awards.

The international wing-back, who has been ruled out of Malta's friendly against the Czech Republic on Friday and the June 10 qualifier against Sweden due to injury, was named best midfielder and best Maltese player.

Failla beat Hibs team-mate Andrew Cohen and Valletta's Roderick Briffa for the best midfielder award. Cohen and Terrence Scerri, both of Hibs, were the other two nominees for the best Maltese player prize.

Scerri, the top scorer in the 2008-09 Premier League with 26 goals, was voted best striker while coach Mark Miller took the award for best coach. As Miller is currently overseas, Edmund Lufi, Hibs' assistant coach, received the award during last night's presentation ceremony at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Jean Paul Farrugia, also of Hibs, was named the most promising youngster in the Premier League.

Valletta, the Premier League runners-up, had two players on the winners' list. Luke Dimech topped the best defender category and captain Gilbert Agius collected the best veteran player award.

Players of Relegation Pool teams rarely leave their mark on these end-of-season awards but Tarxien Rainbows bucked that trend yesterday.

Still on a high after retaining their Premier League status, Tarxien had two players collecting awards as Anthony Curmi and Brazilian forward Daniel Mariano Bueno were named best goalkeeper and best foreign player respectively.

Also during last night's ceremony, former Sliema Wanderers and Malta forward Joe Cini was presented with the lifetime achievement award.

Cini was honoured for his successful career which also included spells with English teams Leyton Orient and Queen's Park Rangers.

The winners

Best goalkeeper: Anthony Curmi (Tarxien).

Best defender: Luke Dimech (Valletta).

Best midfielder: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).

Best forward: Terrence Scerri (Hibernians).

Best coach: Mark Miller (Hibernians).

Most promising youngster: Jean Paul Farrugia (Hibernians).

Best Maltese player: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).

Best foreign player: Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien).

Best GFA player: John Camilleri (Sannat).

Best First Division player: Anthony Eviparker (Vittoriosa).

Best Second Division player: Matthew Borg (Melita).

Best Third Division player: Ayrton Buhagiar (Mdina).

Best veteran player: Gilbert Agius (Valletta).

Best female player: Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara).

Best Futsal player: Alexander Ribic (White Eagles).

Lifetime achievement award: Joe Cini.

Special awards: Malta Football Coaches Association, Malta Football Referees Association.