Three players who had outstanding international performances in 2001 have been nominated for the prestigious Eircom Awards, which will be presented at a banquet on February 10. Noel Hunt, Ashley White and Brendan Sweeney are the nominees for the Schools' award, which will be presented at CityWest Hotel. All three players are currently plying their trade in the Eircom League following their performances on the FAIS international stage last season.
Noel Hunt of Mount Sion CBS in Waterford is currently on loan with Waterford United and has proved to be a prolific goalscorer. He holds the record in Junior football in Waterford following his six goals in a game last season for Johnville FC and having left school he opted to join Shamrock Rovers. Since coming on loan to the Blues he has scored in each game he has played. The talented striker was a major force in last year's FAIS international campaign, giving a masterful performance in Slovakia where the team went down 2-1.
Ashley White is one of the more established players with Monaghan United and wore the captain's armband for the Irish school's last season. A talented defender he proved to be a tower of strength for the Irish in their Celtic Cup series and secured the title with a dramatic headed equaliser in injury time against Northern Ireland in Belfast last April. A student at St. McCartan's College, last season was Ashley's second season on the FAIS international team.
Brendan Sweeney has been playing for Cobh Ramblers for the past number of years and the hard-working midfielder was an influential player for Irish Schools. Last season was his second season in the Irish schools' jersey and he will be best remembered for his goal which he scored directly from a free kick against Wales at Terryland park which secured a vital win for Ireland in their opening Celtic Cup match of the season. Brendan attended Deerpark CBS is Cork City and now studies at Cork Institute of Technology.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
