FAI International Award Winners Announced

17TH eircom/FAI INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The 17th eircom/FAI International Soccer Awards were announced before 1,000 guests, including the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D., at Citywest Hotel, Saggart tonight.

Eighteen awards were announced including the Senior Player accolade which was awarded to goalkeeper Shay Given for the second in year in a row.

The Young Player Award went to Kevin Doyle while Kevin Foley captured the Under 21 Player Award as John Paul Kelly picked up the Under 19 Award for his performance in this year’s UEFA Under 19 Championship qualifiers.

Former Republic of Ireland senior international and current Under 21 Manager, Don Givens entered the FAI Hall of Fame. Givens amassed a total of 56 senior caps and scored an impressive 19 goals in the green shirt.

Current U.C.D Manager, Pete McMahon claimed the Special Merit Award as his outstanding contribution to Irish football as both a player and manager from schoolboy, junior, senior and indeed international level was recognised.

The International Goal of the Year Award, which was voted on by the viewers, went to Kevin Kilbane for his goal against the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road in November.

The winners are:

Senior International Player Shay Given - Newcastle United FC

Young International Player Kevin Doyle – Reading FC 

Under 21 International Player Kevin Foley – Luton Town FC

eircom League Player Ollie Cahill – Drogheda United 

Under-19 International Player John Paul Kelly - Bohemian FC

Under-17 International Player Terry Dixon – Tottenham Hotspur FC  

Under-16 International Player James O’Brien – Birmingham City FC

FAI Schools International Player Conor Powell – Portmarnock Community School/Bohemian FC

  Junior International Player Michael Keogh – Killester United FC

Intermediate Player Ken Hoey – Rockmount FC 

Women’s International Player Alisha Moran – Harvard University, USA

Women’s Under-19 International Player Aine O’Gorman – Stella Maris FC 

Football for All Award Gary Messitt – Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland/Glencormack United FC

eircom International Goal of the Year Kevin Kilbane – (Wigan Athletic FC) v Czech Republic ECQ 11.10.06 (H)

European Club Goal of the Year
Kevin Deery – UEFA Cup Qualifying Round – Gretna v Derry City (2nd Goal)

Hall of Fame Award Don Givens

International Personality Award Bobby Robson 

Special Merit Award Pete Mahon 

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland by:

Gerry McDermott,
Communications Manager,
Football Association of Ireland,
80 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2,
Republic of Ireland.

Office: +353-1-7037585
Mobile: +353-87-2363644
Email: gerry.mcdermott@fai.ie