Given named FAI player of year but rules out Irish captaincy

SHAY GIVEN was last night named eircom/FAI senior international player of the year at the annual televised awards ceremony in Dublin.

The Lifford-born goalkeeper was hardly a surprise choice. His inspired form was one of the highlights of Ireland’s unsuccessful World Cup campaign.

The Newcastle goalkeeper revealed he will not be Ireland’s new captain with speculation mounting that Kevin Kilbane will take the role.

At last night’s annual awards ceremony in Citywest, Stephen Elliott was named the young player of the year. The Dubliner, currently on the way back from a lengthy injury lay-off at Sunderland, also caught the eye during the World Cup qualifiers and is one of the strikers named in Steve Staunton’s squad for the Sweden game.

Underlining the new manager’s options up front was the selection of Kevin Doyle as U-21 player of the year. Following his move from Cork City to Championship leaders Reading, where his goals have been vital in the club’s push towards the Premiership, Wexford-born Doyle earned a call-up to the senior squad under Brian Kerr and is now expected to pick up his first cap against Sweden.

And there were honours too last night for Doyle’s former Cork City colleague George O’Callaghan, who was named the eircom League player of the year.

The U19 award went to another new arrival in the senior squad, Joey O’ Brien, who has been making an impression at Bolton Wanderers.

The Hall of Fame Award went to one of the great names of Irish football, former international and Newcastle United favourite Mick Martin. Ireland U17 and U19 manager Sean McCaffrey picked up the Special Merit award.

International Personality of the Year winner, Pierluigi Collina, was unable to attend the event. He expressed his thanks for an award which recognised his towering profile as a referee up until his recent retirement.

The international goal of the year award went to Robbie Keane for his goal against Israel in the 2-2 draw in the World Cup qualifiers at Lansdowne Road.

Other award winners were: Arsenal’s Anthony Stokes (U-17); Man City’s Donal McDermott (U-16); Chanel College and Shelbourne’s Gary Deegan (FAI Schools International Player); Ballymun United’s David Conroy (Junior International); Rockmount’s Ruairí Beechinor (Intermediate Player); Long Island Lady Riders’ Michelle O’ Brien (Women’s International Player) and Salthill Devion’s Niamh Fahey (Women’s U-19). The Football For All Award went to Joseph Watson of Irish Deaf Sports and Waterford Crystal FA.