Walters wins Player of the Year gong at FAI awards

Jonathan Walters capped a goalscoring weekend with Stoke at the FAI International Soccer Awards.

Sun, 20 Mar, 2016 - 21:53

By Stephen Barry

Jonathan Walters capped a goalscoring weekend with Stoke by becoming the Senior International Player of the Year at the FAI Soccer Awards.

Walters, who scored five goals in Euro 2016 qualifiers during the past year, took the top award ahead of Norwich City pair Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady.

On being added to the illustrious list of winners, Walters said: “You run through those names and it’s the players you grow up watching, so it’s a privilege to be among those names now.”

Jonathan Walters pictured after winning the 3 FAI Senior International Player of the Year award. Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

Walters was pipped to the Goal of the Year award by Shane Long, whose strike against Germany earned the Southampton attacker his second such award.

Long had previously won the honour two years ago for scoring in a friendly against England and jetted back to Dublin for tonight’s awards after playing 90 minutes in Southampton’s 3-2 victory against Liverpool today.

Brady, who like Walters scored for his club this weekend, won the Young International Player of the Year award – one of three awards he was nominated for on the night.

After only yesterday signing a transfer to American side Houston Dash, Denise O’Sullivan won the Senior Women's International Player of the Year award.

The Senior Women's International Player of the Year award goes to Denise O'Sullivan! #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/8bJpPz97xq
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 20, 2016

Tony Cascarino was inducted into the Hall of Fame, becoming the sixth player from the Euro '88 & Italia '90 squads to be recognised, while ex-Italy international Gianluca Vialli, who also played in those two tournaments, was named as the International Personality of the Year.

There was no surprise in the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year award, as Richie Towell added to his extensive list of honours. His former Dundalk teammates, Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, were the other nominees.