Nominees Announced for International Soccer Awards

The Football Association of Ireland, in conjunction with sponsors, Eircom, today announced the nominations for the 17th Eircom International Soccer Awards. The nominations, which are chosen by a panel from the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland, are divided into 14 categories, along with a Hall of Fame Award, a Special Merit Award and an International Personality Award.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, 4 February 2007 at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart and all winners will be announced live on the night. The show will also be shown live on RTE 2.

Senior International Player
Damien Duff – Newcastle United
Kevin Doyle – Reading FC
Shay Given – Newcastle United

Young International Player
Kevin Doyle – Reading FC
Aiden McGeady – Celtic
Paul McShane – West Bromwich Albion

Under 21 International Player
Kevin Foley – Luton Town
Paul Keegan – Drogheda United
Anthony Stokes – Arsenal & Falkirk

Under 19 International Player
Billy Clarke – Ipswich Town
John Paul Kelly – Bohemian FC
Darren O'Dea – Celtic

Under 17 International Player
Terry Dixon – Tottenham Hotspur
Donal McDermott – Manchester City
Michael Spillane – Norwich City

Under 16 International Player
Ian Daly – Manchester City
David Joyce – Birmingham City
James O'Brien – Birmingham City

FAI Schools International Player
Martin Doherty – Carndonagh Community School / Derry City FC
Patrick Mullins – Sexton Street CBS / Geraldines FC
Conor Powell – Portmarnock Community School / Bohemian FC

Junior Player
Paul Breen – St Michael’s FC
John Carroll – St Kevin’s Boys FC
Michael Keogh – Killester United FC

Intermediate Player
Ken Hoey – Rockmount FC
Paul McCabe – Crumlin United FC
Brendan O'Connell – College Corinthians FC

Women's Senior International Player
Emma Byrne – Arsenal FC
Ciara Grant – Arsenal FC
Alisha Moran – Harvard University, USA

Women's Under 19 International Player
Susan Hackett – Stella Maris FC
Grace Murray – Dundalk FC
Aine O'Gorman – Stella Maris FC

Football for All Award
Aaron Clarke – FFA Schools International/Scoil Colaiste Eoin/Crumlin United
Elizabeth Gamble – Irish Deaf Sports Futsal Team/St Vincent’s FC
Gary Messit – Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland/Glencormack United FC

Eircom International Goal of the Year
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur) Rep of Ire v San Marino (3) ECQ 15.11.06
Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic) Rep of Ire v Czech Rep ECQ 11.10.06
Liam Miller (Sunderland AFC) Rep of Ire v Sweden F 01.03.06

Hall of Fame, Special Merit and International Personality Awards will be announced on the night.

The Eircom International Goal of the Year will be decided by public vote. Details on how to vote for this category will be announced at a later date.