ROBBIE Brady, Nathan Collins and Caoimhin Kelleher have been nominated in the FAI’s Player of the Year international awards with all the winners being revealed at the Aviva Stadium before the Republic of Ireland’s friendly game with Senegal on Friday June 6.
Preston NE’s Brady made a dramatic comeback to the green jersey under Heimir Hallgrimsson playing effectively on Ireland’s left side while Collins and Kelleher have both been a steady presence at the heart of the defence and in goal, respectively.
Finn Azaz, Festy Ebosele and Jake O’Brien are the trip nominated for Young Player of the Year. Azaz’s playmaking skills have really come to the fore in the Nations League campaign and would appear to be the lead contender.
Ireland's Kyra Taylor Carusa has been in fine goal-scoring form in the Nations League, grabbing another two tonight. (PA)
Ireland's Kyra Carusa has had a great year on the international stage
Kyra Carusa, Anna Patten and Julie-Ann Russell are the three jockeying for the Women’s Player of the Year gong. Carusa has been an outstanding and willing striker for the Irish while Julie-Ann Russell has added a different attacking dimension to the side this season.
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Aston Villa’s Anna Patten has rose to prominence too and has been exceptional in the Irish defence.
Abbie Larkin, Jessie Stapleton and Tyler Toland have been nominated for Young Player of the Year.
35th FAI INTERNATIONAL AWARDS NOMINEES
Senior Men’s International Player of the Year
Robbie Brady
Nathan Collins
Caoimhin Kelleher
Senior Women’s International Player of the Year
Kyra Carusa
Anna Patten
Julie-Ann Russell
Young Men’s International Player of the Year
Finn Azaz
Festy Ebosele
Jake O’Brien
Young Women’s International Player of the Year
Abbie Larkin
Jessie Stapleton
Tyler Toland
International Goal of the Year
MNT | Robbie Brady vs Finland
MNT | Evan Ferguson vs Bulgaria
WNT | Julie-Ann Russell vs France
Men’s U21 International Player of the Year
Anselmo Garcia-MacNulty
Matt Healy
Andrew Moran
Men’s U19 International Player of the Year
Jacob Devaney
Thomas Morely
Freddie Turley
Women’s U19 International Player of the Year
Jess Fitzgerald
Katie Keane
Aoife Kelly
Men’s U18 International Player of the Year
Kyle Fitzgerald
Luke O’Donnell
James Roche
Men’s U17 International Player of the Year
Rory Finneran
Ramon Martos
Finn Sherlock
Women’s U17 International Player of the Year
Anna Butler
Ella Kelly
Madison McGuane
Boys’ U16 International Player of the Year
Joe Byrne
Tadgh Prizeman
Niall Sullivan
Girls’ U16 International Player of the Year
Keelin Comiskey
Ciara Milton
Hailey Twomey
Boys’ U15 International Player of the Year
Maxim Afonin
Josh O’Dwyer
Archie Quinn
Girls’ U15 Schools International Player of the Year
Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone)
Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow)
Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells)
Boys’ U18 Schools International Player of the Year
Adam Brennan (Hartstown Community School
Alan Kizenga (St. Mac Dara’s Community School, Templeogue)
Rhys Knight (Clonkeen College, Blackrock)
Football For All International Player of the Year
Josh Hennessy (Down Syndrome Futsal)
Neil Hoey (Amputee)
Heather Jameson (Cerebral Palsy)