Given and Doyle win international player awards

SHAY Given and Kevin Doyle picked up the top gongs at the 17th eircom/International Awards in the Citywest Hotel in Saggart last night.

Unfortunately, both players are on the injury list for Wednesday’s European Championship qualifier in San Marino. And, yesterday, Sunderland’s Stephen Elliott became the latest player to withdraw from the Irish squad after failing to recover from an ankle injury.

No new players are being called up, however, and manager Steve Staunton will fly out with a squad of 23 this afternoon.