Soccer:Kevin Doyle, Richard Dunne and John O'Shea were shortlisted in the senior international player of the year section ahead of the annual FAI International Soccer Awards to take place on Sunday, February 6th.
As the experienced international trio battle it out in the main category, O’Shea’s Manchester United team mate, Darron Gibson, along with Manchester City’s Greg Cunningham and Reading’s Shane Long are shortlisted for the young player of the year.
Wolves striker Doyle is also in the running for international goal of the year for his effort against Andorra in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign last September. He is up against Robbie Keane’s goal against Algeria and Liam Lawrence’s strike against Paraguay, both of which were last May.
The in-form Seamus Coleman features in the under-21 section after impressing for Everton this season. He is up against Celtic's Anthony Stokes and Chelsea's Conor Clifford, who is also shortlisted in the under-19 international player of the year category.
In domestic matters, Sligo Rovers dominate the Airtricity player of the year shortlist after their remarkable double-winning season. Joseph Ndo and Richie Ryan are both named alongside Shamrock Rovers’ Gary Twigg.
The nominations were chosen by a panel from the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland and are divided into 18 categories. Among the awards to be presented, a former Republic of Ireland great will also be inducted into the FAI’s Hall of Fame. There will also be a Special Merit Award and both will be announced on the night when televised live on RTÉ Two at 8.00pm.
3/FAI International Soccer Awards Nominees
Senior International player of the Year
Kevin Doyle – Wolves
Richard Dunne – Aston Villa
John O'Shea – Manchester United
Young Player of the Year
Greg Cunningham – Manchester City
Darron Gibson – Manchester United
Shane Long – Reading
International Goal of the Year
Kevin Doyle v Andorra (07/09/10)
Robbie Keane v Algeria (28/05/10)
Liam Lawrence v Paraguay (25/05/10)
U21 Player of the Year
Conor Clifford – Chelsea
Seamus Coleman – Everton
Anthony Stokes – Celtic
Airtricity League Player of the Year
Joseph Ndo – Sligo Rovers
Richie Ryan – Sligo Rovers
Gary Twigg – Shamrock Rovers
Under 19 International Player of the Year
Robbie Brady - Manchester United
Conor Clifford - Chelsea
Greg Cunningham - Leicester City (On loan from Manchester City)
Under 17 International Player of the Year
Shane Byrne - Leicester City
Sean McGinty - Man Utd
Frankie Sutherland - QPR
Under 16 International Player of the Year
Joe Coll - Manchester United
Mickey Drennan - Aston Villa
Luke Gallagher - Cherry Orchard
Senior Women's International Player of the Year
Emma Byrne - Arsenal
Ciara Grant - Arsenal
Fiona O'Sullivan - AIK Stolkholm
Under 19 Women's International Player of the Year
Karen Duggan - UL
Cherelle Khassell - Benfica
Becky Walsh - Salthill Devon
Junior International Player of the Year
Chris Barbour - Mountview Utd.
Ross Carrig - Killester Utd
Adrian Walsh - Carrick Utd
Intermediate Player of the Year
Seamie Crowe - Athenry
Shane Hughes - Tolka Rovers
Stephen O'Donnell - Kildrum Tigers
Football for All International Player of the Year
Paddy Coates - Irish Visually Impaired
Richard Dougherty - Irish Deaf Men's Squad
Mary Strain - Special Olympics
FAI School's International Player of the Year
Richard Benson - Marist College, Athlone
Tomas Boyle - Salesian College, Celbridge
Brian Nolan - St. Paul's Community College, Waterford
