Soccer:Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, defender Richard Dunne and midfielder Keith Andrews have been shortlisted for the FAI's International Player of the Year award.
The nominations for the ‘3’ FAI International Football Awards were revealed this morning and the winner will be revealed on Sunday at 8pm, live on RTE 2.
Both Andrews and Keane have also received nominations for ‘goal of the year’, along with Darron Gibson for his superb strike against Wales in the Carling Nations Cup in February.
Striker Simon Cox, Everton midfielder Séamus Coleman and defender Darren O’Dea are in the running for the ‘young international player of the year’, while Manchester United’s Robbie Brady, on loan at Hull City, will be the hot-favourite for the under-21 award.
On the domestic front, two players no longer plying their trade in Ireland but both formerly of Derry City, have been nominate for Airtricity League player of the year. James McClean of Sunderland could cap off a wonderful week in which he was selected for the senior international squad, though he faces competition from erstwhile team-mate Eamon Zayed of Persepolis and former Shamrock Rovers defender Pat Sullivan.
The nominations, which were chosen by a panel from the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland, are divided into 18 categories. Fans can have their say by voting on goal of the year at www.rte.ie.tv/competitions.
'3'FAI International Football Awards Nominees
Senior International Player of the Year
Keith Andrews - West Bromich Albion
Richard Dunne - Aston Villa
Robbie Keane - Aston Villa
Young International Player of the Year
Seamus Coleman - Everton
Simon Cox - West Bromich Albion
Darren O'Dea - Leeds United
Three International Goal of the Year
Robbie Keane (v Scotland, 29th May 2011)
Darron Gibson (v Wales, 8th February 2011)
Keith Andrews (v Estonia, 11th November 2011)
Airtricity League Player of the Year
Pat Sullivan - Currently without a club
Eamon Zayed - Persepolis
James McClean - Sunderland AFC
Under 21 International Player of the Year
Robbie Brady - Manchester United (on loan to Hull City)
Rob Kiernan – Wigan Athletic
Aidan White - Leeds United
Under 19 International Player of the Year
John Egan - Sunderland FC
Jeff Hendrick - Derby County FC
Anthony O'Connor - Blackburn Rovers
Under 17 International Player of the Year
Luke Gallagher - Burnley
Seán Kavanagh - Fulham
Darragh Lenihan – Blackburn Rovers
Under 16 International Player of the Year
Sam Byrne - Manchester United
Jack Grealish - Aston Villa
Kyle McFadden - Norwich City
Senior Women's International Player of the Year
Emma Byrne - Arsenal
Niamh Fahey - Arsenal
Denise O'Sullivan - Cork Women's FC
Under 19 Women's International Player of the Year
Emma Farmer - Cork Women's FC
Emma Hansberry - Castlebar Celtic FC
Grace Moloney - Reading FC
Under 17 Women's International Player of the Year
Rianna Jarrett - Wexford Youths Women's AFC
Chloé Mustaki - Peamount FC
Clare Shine - Cork Ladies League
Junior International Player of the Year
Chris Barbour - Mountview United
David O'Sullivan - Wicklow Rovers
James Walsh - St Michaels FC
Intermediate Player of the Year
Shaun McElwaine - Fanad United
Brendan O'Connell - Rockmount
Ray Whelehan - Wayside Celtic
Football for All International Player of the Year
Adrian Clarke - Irish Special Olympics International Squad
Richard Stilwell - Irish Football For All Schools International Squad
Michael Walsh - Irish Deaf International Squad
FAI School's International Player of the Year
Stephen Chambers - Bohemians
Niall Cooney - Crumlin United
Hugh Douglas - Belvedere
