Jon Walters ‘privileged’ to win player of the year award

Jon Walters capped a memorable weekend and a memorable year when, having scored for Stoke City in their 2-1 win at Watford on Saturday, he was last night named Ireland’s Player of 2015 at the annual FAI/3 International Awards.

Robbie Brady was named the Young International Player of the Year while there was never any doubt but that Shane Long would pick up the Goal of the Year gong for his celebrated strike which delivered a surprise victory and three vital Euro qualifying points against Germany.

Walters, with five goals Ireland’s joint top scorer (with Robbie Keane) in the Euro qualifiers, said it was “a privilege” to join the elite group of Irish players who have claimed the top prize in the 17-year history of the awards.