Andrew Cohen’s stellar season hit another high note yesterday after the Hibernians captain was named Malta FA footballer of the year for the third time in his career.

Andrew Cohen, who turned 34 last month, had been widely regarded as favourite to claim the most prestigious individual honour in local football after playing a prominent role in Hibs’ title success.

The playmaker became only the second player after former Valletta FC talisman Gilbert Agius to complete a treble of foot-baller of the year awards.

“This honour means a lot to me,” Cohen, who was also named best player at the Malta Football Players Association awards in April, told Times of Malta.

“Besides winning it twice before, I was also a finalist on three other occasions. I’m proud of my record as it shows that I have been consistent for many seasons.

“This award is the cherry on the cake after a memorable season for Hibernians.”

Thriving in his favourite position behind the strikers, Cohen provided several assists and also helped himself to nine goals in the BOV Premier League.

His nomination as MFA footballer of the year completes an amazing turnaround for Cohen who looked to have fallen behind the pecking order at Hibernians in the final weeks of the season before last only to come back stronger.

Cohen not only re-established himself as a first-choice player but also became the team’s leader after inheriting the captain’s armband following the departure of goal-keeper Mario Muscat.

“I had my ups and downs the previous season,” Cohen reflected.

“There was a period towards the end of the campaign where I lost my place in the team. This unusual situation was very challenging for me as some people also contended that my time was over but I felt that I still had a lot to offer.

“I just put my head down and worked harder than ever to return to my old self. I discussed my situation with the coach (Branko Nisevic) and he assured me that I would get a fair chance to show my worth in my favoured position.

“The coach, along with his assistant Ndubisi Chukunyere and team manager Jeffrey Farrugia, helped me to express my abilities.”

Lifting the BOV Premier League cup as Hibs captain for the first time in his glittering career was also a highlight of Cohen’s 2014/15 trek.

“Last season was also my first as team captain,” Cohen reminisced.

“I had never experienced what it felt like to lift the league trophy as captain and now I can say that it was a very emotional moment for me.

“It was a successful year for the team as we won the league in an emphatic win. The only disappointment was missing out on the FA Trophy but the club’s main target was to win the championship.”

The race for the MFA footballer of the year contest was a duel between Hibs and Birkirkara players.

In keeping with Hibs’ resounding success in the league, Cohen was a runaway winner with a total of 122 points.

Hibs team-mate Clayton Failla, himself a two-time MFA footballer of the year, was a distant second on 43 points, 11 more than Birkirkara midfielder Paul Fenech who won the award two years ago.

Andrei Agius, the Hibernians defender, was fourth on 30 points with Birkirkara’s Zach Muscat fifth on 14 points.

Cohen paid tribute to his team-mates who were nominated for the award as well as young Hibernians midfielder Bjorn Kristensen.

“Clayton (Failla) and Andrei (Agius) had a very good season,” Cohen said.

“There was also Bjorn Kristensen who played a big part in our success.

“Obviously, to be voted best player is the biggest individual achievement in Maltese football and winning it for the third time is very special.

“I’m proud of my record as the only Maltese player to have won this award two years in a row (2005 and 2006) and my next target was to join Gilbert Agius on three.”

At 34, Cohen is in the home stretch of a career spent entirely with the Paolites.

The Hibs faithful would love him to finish his career with their club but this week reports emerged that Balzan had declared their interest in the Malta stalwart.

“Balzan made an approach but I have another year left on my contract,” Cohen said.

“I will be 35 next year and that means I will be a free player. I intend to speak with our president (Tony Bezzina) to discuss my position. My wish is to see out the rest of my career with Hibernians but you never know what the future holds.”

Ironically, Hibernians will start their title defence next season against Balzan.

Cohen’s elevation as Malta’s top player for season 2014/15 could not have come at a better time as he revealed his partner is expecting a child.

“I want to thank the Bezzina family for supporting me and the club in all these years,” Cohen said.

“I’m grateful to my parents, my entire family, as they have always been behind me.

“A big thanks also to my partner who is carrying our first child.

“Last but not least I want to dedicate this honour to my team-mates... without them none of this would have been possible.”

Nisevic best coach

The announcement of the winner of the Malta FA footballer of the year accolade was the highlight of the 2014/15 Malta FA Awards ceremony, held last night at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Hibernians dominated the major categories with Branko Nisevic walking away with the coach of the year award ahead of Paul Zammit, who guided Birkirkara to the FA Trophy title last month, and Oliver Spiteri, who led Balzan to their first ever qualification for a European competition.

Striker Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’, who scored 25 goals for Hibs before leaving to join South Korean side Seoul E-Land in March, was voted best foreigner.

The best foreigner award was presented by Nicola Berti, the former Inter player who is spending a few days in our country as guest of Inter Club Malta.

Another Hibs striker, Jorginho, Tarabai’s fellow Brazilian countryman, was second with Balzan’s Montenegrin forward Bojan Kaljevic third.

Birkirkara’s Ryan Camenzuli, the Malta U-21 captain, broke Hibs’ dominance after he was named best young player. Johann Bezzina, the Hibs midfielder, was a close second and Hamza Barry, the Gambian midfielder who played for Valletta last season, was third.

Ariel Laudisi (Pembroke Athleta) was voted best player of the first division, Timothy Thomas (Senglea Athletic) claimed the second division award and Denis Sytnik (Marsascala) prevailed in the third division category.

Dorianne Theuma, of Hibernians, was voted best female player and Jurgen Degabriele, who is also on the books of the Paola club, landed the youth league player award.

Xewkija Tigers forward Daniel Bogda-novic was voted best player in Gozo.

The winners

MFA footballer of the year: 1. A. Cohen (Hibs) 122 points; 2. C. Failla (Hibs) 43; 3. Paul Fenech (Birkirkara) 32; 4. A. Agius (Hibs) 30; 5. Z. Muscat (Birkirkara) 14.

Coach of the year: B. Nisevic (Hibs).

Young player of the year: R. Camenzuli (Birkirkara).

Foreign player of the year: E. Dos Santos (Hibs).

First division best player: A. Laudisi (Pembroke Athleta).

Second division best player: Timothy Thomas (Senglea Athletic).

Third division best player: D. Sytnik (Marsaskala).

Women’s best player: D. Theuma (Hibs).

Best youth league player: J. Degabriele (Hibs).

GFA best player: D. Bogdanovic (Xewkija).

Best goal of the season: Terence Vella.

Fair play award: Kirkop United FC.

MFA president’s award: Chris Lautier, Robert Gatt, Mario Muscat, Stefan Sultana, Tony Bezzina.

Last 10 MFA Footballer of the Year winners

2014/15 - Andrew Cohen (Hibs)
2013/14 - Ryan Fenech (Valletta)
2012/13 - Paul Fenech (Birkirkara)
2011/12 - Clayton Failla (Hibs)
2010/11 - Roderick Briffa (Valletta)
2009/10 - Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara)
2008/09 - Clayton Failla (Hibs)
2007/08 - Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk)
2006/07 - Gilbert Agius (Valletta)
2005/06 - Andrew Cohen (Hibs)

Premier League draw

Opening day – August 21-22
Floriana vs Mosta
Balzan vs Hibernians
Qormi vs Pembroke Athleta
Birkirkara vs Naxxar Lions
St Andrew’s vs Valletta
Sliema Wanderers vs Tarxien Rainbows