The
annual Eircom FAI International awards were presented at a ceremony
held at the CityWest Hotel, Saggart on Sunday the 6th February 2005.
The nominations for Senior International Player of the Year were Shay
Given, Robbie Keane and Kevin Kilbane with the award going to the Everton
midfielder.
Kevin Kilbane has been a member of the Irish International Squad for
several years and has been capped on 60 occasions, predominantly on
the left hand side of midfield.
Under new manager, Brian Kerr, Kilbane was switched to central midfield
where he has given several impressive performances and was honoured
with the captaincy for the first time in the friendly fixture against
Croatia in November last year.
The International Personality award went to Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill
while former Manchester United player and international midfielder,
Gerry Daly was inducted into the International Hall of Fame.
Among the most popular recipients of the evening was Vincent Butler
who received the Special Merit Award for his outstanding work with the
underage development teams over the years. Vinny Butler, who has been
a member of the Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club (London)
since 1986, received many plaudits relating to the contribution he has
made to the development of Irish football and an excellent profile written
by Irish Independent Soccer Editor, Gerry McDermott and published in
the paper on Wednesday 9 February 2005, epitomises the esteem in which
he is held.
The full list of winners at the awards ceremony is:
| Senior
Player: |
Kevin
Kilbane (Everton) |
| Young
Player: |
Andy
Reid (Tottenham Hotspur) |
| U21
Player: |
Glenn
Whelan (Sheffield Wednesday) |
| U19
Player: |
Willo
Flood (Manchester City) |
| U17
Player: |
Darren
Randolph (Charlton Athletic) |
| Under
16 Player: |
Keith
Tracey (Blackburn Rovers) |
| Irish
Schools Player: |
Darren
Quigley (St. Lawrences College and UCD) |
| Eircom
League Player: |
Owen
Heary (Shelbourne) |
| Senior
Women: |
Elaine
O'Connor (Hofstra University) |
| Under
19 Women: |
Katie
Taylor (St James's Gate) |
| Junior
Player: |
James
Walsh (St Michael's) |
| Intermediate
Player: |
Ian
Callaghan (Wayside Celtic) |
| Football
for All: |
Rita
Doherty (Special Olympics Ireland) |
| Goal
of the Year: |
Robbie
Keane (v Holland) |
| Special
Merit: |
Vincent
Butler |
| Hall
of Fame: |
Gerry
Daly |
| International
Personality: |
Martin
O'Neill |
