18th International Soccer Awards Ceremony

The 18th annual Eircom International Soccer awards were presented at a ceremony held in the Citywest Hotel, Saggart on Sunday 3 February 2008.

The nominations for Senior International Player of the Year were Kevin Doyle, Richard Dunne and Shay Given, with the award going to the resurgent Manchester City captain Dunne. The Tallaght man, has been hugely influential in his club's recent improvement and the 39 times capped centre back, a mainstay of the Irish defence.

The International Personality Award went to former Brazil captain Socrates while the former Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers defender Paddy Mulligan was inducted into the International Hall of Fame.

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland deservedly received the Young Player of the Year award. The Under 21 accolade was presented to the redoubtable Aston Villa defender Stephen O'Halloran, currently on loan at Southampton. The emerging talent that is Blackburn Rovers winger Keith Treacy, was recognised with the Under 21 award.

The Special Merit award went to that giant of Irish football history, Jack Charlton, in further recognition of his contribution during his ten year period as International team manager. International Goal of the Year was decided by the voting public and the winner was the spectacular Kevin Doyle shot in the European Championship qualifier away to Slovakia in September 2007.

In the other under-age categories, the midfield endeavours of Conor McCormack at Manchester United FC and the younger Conor Clifford of Chelsea FC were recognised with their respective age group awards.

The award for the Senior Women's team was collected by Kildare native Emma Byrne who has had a magnificent season with both her club Arsenal and her country. Ireland's Under 19 goalkeeper Lynne Dowling Bradley deservedly collected the Women's Under 19 aweard while at Under 17 level, the international goalscoring exploits of Dundalk City LFC midfielder Gillian McDonnell broked no arguement with her award.

The full list of winners is:

• Senior Player - Richard Dunne (Manchester City FC)
• Young Player - Stephen Ireland (Manchester City FC)
• Under 21 Player - Stephen O'Halloran (Aston Villa/Southampton)
• Under 19 Player - Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers FC)
• Under 17 Player - Conor McCormack (Manchester United FC)
• Under 16 Player - Conor Clifford (Chelsea FC)
• Irish Schools Player - Patrick Mullins(CBS Sexton Street, Limerick)
• Eircom League Player - Dave Mooney (Longford Town/Cork City)
• Senior Women - Emma Byrne (Arsenal LFC)
• Under 19 Women - Lynn Bradley (Lynsey Wilton College)
• Under 17 Women - Gillian McDonnell (Dundalk City LFC)
• Junior Player - David Lacey (Killester United)
• Amateur Player - Paul McCabe (Crumlin United FC)
• Football for All - Kieran Woods (Park FC, Tralee)
• Special Merit - Jack Charlton
• Hall of Fame - Paddy Mulligan
• International Personality - Socrates (Brazil)
• Goal of the Year - Kevin Doyle (v Slovakia 08.09.07)