The 22-year-old midfielder, who scored for City last night in the 1-0 victory against Kaizer Chiefs, has been confirmed as the Manchester Evening News/Channel M player of the season - a prize awarded in conjunction with sponsors Flybe.
For the second successive summer, Ireland spent his close season building up his fitness in a series of intense training sessions with Glossop-based martial arts coach Dave Breed.
Those sessions - which included weight-training, kick-boxing and hill sprints - ensured that Ireland was in the best possible shape when he returned to City for pre-season training.
And that training has helped Ireland complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes. Just 12 months ago, he looked to be on his way to Sunderland after a frustrating second half of the 2007/08 season had culminated in a humiliating 8-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.
Ireland didn't catch the team bus back to Manchester that day, instead he got his girlfriend Jessica to drive him home so he could do some serious thinking about his career.
Ireland decided, during that journey home, that something had to change - and got in touch with Breed to discuss a plan to improve his fitness.
The midfielder said: "At the time, my girlfriend was due a baby, so we were unable to leave the country really.
"So I decided to make the best use of my time. Usually, I just lazy about, but I decided to get in contact with Dave.
Explosive
"I spoke to him, had a chat, set a plan and just went for it. I was shooting up to Glossop at 7am every day and doing my sessions for two or three hours.
"It's very different to football. It's very explosive. I want that power, to be really sharp.
"After the sessions, I'm almost falling asleep. You get really that worked up. Dave's a really good instructor. He's out of this world, to be honest."
Ireland's displays last season were often out of this world, too. He scored 13 goals and chipped in with numerous assists to become the first City player to win the MEN-Channel M award in its four-year history.
He succeeds three United winners, with Wayne Rooney picking up the first award, followed by Paul Scholes, before Cristiano Ronaldo took last year's prize.
Our writers picked a star player from each of the nine Premier and Football League clubs in the MEN circulation area, and then invited our readers to tell us who they thought should win - and why.
Ireland was the City nomination, and was up against United centre-back Nemanja Vidic, Bolton's up-and-coming defender Gary Cahill, Wigan's Titus Bramble, Oldham's Reuben Hazell, Stockport youngster Tommy Rowe, Bury's tenacious midfielder Stephen Dawson, classy Macclesfield centre-half Paul Morgan and Rochdale full-back Tom Kennedy.
The judging panel, led by MEN sports editor Peter Spencer, read through hundreds of letters and e-mails, as well as the comments posted on our website, www.manchesterevening news.co.uk.
And the best submission was put forward by MEN reader Jonathan Smith, of Sunnyside Grove, Ashton-under-Lyne. He wins, courtesy of Flybe, a return flight for two people to any of the airline's 19 destinations across Europe.
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If the rest of the squad showed the same dedication in their careers as Stevie we would have a more than decent chance of reaching the holy grail which is the top four,(are you listening bling bling Richards?).Ireland is fast becoming our very own Lampard or Gerrard,i only wish he was English because he,d be a certainty for South Africa next year
Well done young steven, in todays world where we would all agree that footballers are pampered and dont always give everything while being paid huge salaries, I have no problem with whatever City pay you. At least you show heart, commitment and give me the feeling you are "one of our own".
Mr. City, full stop.
Easy winner, especially against these lower division players including;
United centre-back Nemanja Vidic, Oldham's Reuben Hazell, Stockport youngster Tommy Rowe, Bury's tenacious midfielder Stephen Dawson, classy Macclesfield centre-half Paul Morgan and Rochdale full-back Tom Kennedy. etc.
Name him Captain!! This guy is a fabulous example of what hard work and determination can do! Superman is a perfect fit for SuperCity!!!
I think that Stevie should get a PSV licence and drive a Finglands bus up to Glossop filled with the City squad. If it works for him, why not everybody else ?
And to think he nearly went to Suncerland !!!
That really would have been a typical City own goal
Come on City
Ireland is our steven gerrard, he will work as hard as anyone for that badge on his shirt, score the goals and make the tackles, for that reason i will be getting his name on the back of my new city shirt, a true example to every other player!
Ireland is fast becoming our very own Lampard or Gerrard,i only wish he was English because he,d be a certainty for South Africa next year
paul green
22/07/2009 at 12:02
I hope he is in South Africa - Playing in GREEN!!!! He is the best Irish Footballer on the planet!!
From what I've seen of him last season at Eastlands, he will be the next Gerrard/Lampard this coming season. His work rate, dedication, and natural ability in the last third of the pitch in particular will soon result in his crowning as one of the best attacking midfielders in the premiership. The rest of the squad could do with a weekly trip to the gym in Glossop. But then, that's whhy he is such a great player, BECAUSE he puts in that extra mile where others don't. I am also getting my new shirt with Ireland on the back this season.
Well done Steve.Caicedo needs to go on loan ,not sold.Etuhu not up to it.Shaun W-P defended better than he attacked.Mc Givern and Mee challenged for every ball but we should grab Hangeland now and add Lescott as Terry is likely to remain at Chelsea.Would like to see much more of our best 15 players being played in our remaining pre season games and that would only include 5 or 6 of last nights starting 11.Get them in Blue now Mark as the season is almost on us.P.S.Would leave any rash predictions as to what City might achieve, to the media and the many managers of premiership clubs,who seem to have time to discuss City instead of their own clubs.Lets hope City's results and form do the talking for all us City followers.Come on The Blues
i hope he puts his problems behind him with the Irish team and I would love to watch him play in the World Cup finals. he could conquer the world with his magic.
and being honest, I would feel more proud of him personally, than the pride of watching our players running out for Brazil.
Makes to 5 million offered by Sunderland look a bit silly does'nt it?
Put David Breed on the coaching staff!
If City don't, someone else will.
Last summer I took the little lad along to Edgerley park for the pre season game against Stockport and there were three lads behind me who just spent the whole game shouting abuse at Stevie, in fact they were even abusing him at the warm up before the game which I have never got my head around because I have never booed a City player in my life. We are all entitled to our opinions but don't see how booing helps.
Anyway, it got to the point where I had to turn around and politely ask these muppets to keep their lips sealed.
The point I am getting at is that in the space of twelve months Stevie has gone from zero to hero and I absolutely love this kid. Everything about him in the last year has been first class, his attitude and performances have been fantastic.
When I watch him play I feel it is like watching a City fan, you can see that he clearly loves the club and fights for the shirt every time he steps onto the field.
Keep up the good work Stevie and you will soon become a Blue legend!
Well done! Stevie I – Superman!
Well deserved and looking at your fitness in SA you looked a step ahead of everyone on the pitch.
Also, your vision to pick out a pass has improved and quickened too. You always had it, even when people were getting on your back a couple of seasons ago, you could always see the pass but sometimes didn’t quite excecute it right. With your new fitness regime those passes are now quicker and more accurate and the ground you are covering during a match is phenomenal! May it continue and you become THE all time great for City, you are going the right way about it! Congratulations!
Ps. Get this Dave Breed fellah on the coaching staff, looks like he knows his onions to me!
CTID and Beyond
stevie you are the pride of manchester !
To be honest a few months ago i was one of his critics,which proves how little i know so glad he stayed he worked hard and proved to a lot of us and me in perticualar that he will be a top quality pro.
Fine player.
Congratulations Stevie Ireland ! It's Well Deserved You Are GOD !!!
greatest Irish player since Brady
You know what lads, I was told that Hughes said no to Stevie talking to them Not Stevie. Credit where credit is due as he is now written in ink when the team sheet is being wrote. Another REALLY good thing is the media cant say anything to us re our squad with Ireland, Johnson, Micah, Ned in it.
always thought stevie has bags of talent, i have always defended him, now i dont feel such a prat anymore! He is arguably the most gifted player in the squad, certainly the most skillful thats came through the academy and really thats some going.
Ireland really is Superman.
He is a great player and his commitment is seconed to none, hope he is not pushed aside by all the new signings. Even with all the new players I think he will still be your best player. Yes I am a red but I do enjoy watching players of his class, as I enjoy the game of football.
He is a great player and his commitment is seconed to none, hope he is not pushed aside by all the new signings. Even with all the new players I think he will still be your best player. Yes I am a red but I do enjoy watching players of his class, as I enjoy the game of football.
red one
22/07/2009 at 15:32
Class mate