Robbie Keane, prior to winning his 100th cap for the Republic of Ireland against Argentina on Wednesday, has been awarded the FAI Senior International Player of the Year Award.
Ireland’s top international football stars were honoured on Sunday at the 20th FAI International Football Awards which took place at RTÉ studios, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Republic of Ireland captain Keane scooped the Senior International Player of the Year Award, while his goal against France in the FIFA World Cup play-off in November was voted as the International Goal of the Year.
The Young Player Award went to Manchester United’s Darron Gibson, while Seamus Coleman captured the U21 Award as Lanre Oyebanjo was crowned the U19 Player of the Year.
Shamrock Rovers striker Gary Twigg was unsurprisingly named Airtricity League player of the year, making it a great day for the Scottish striker who had earlier scored a vital goal for the Hoops in their 3-0 win against Bohemians.
The Special Merit Award was handed to former senior international women’s player Olivia O’Toole who retired from international football last season following a distinguished career with the international side.
O’Toole began her international career in 1992, marking her full debut by scoring against Spain. Olivia is Ireland’s record leading goal-scorer at all levels within the association, surpassing the 50-goal mark in May 2007 by scoring against Italy in the Euro 2009 qualifier.
The recipient of the international personality of the year award was Riccardo Villa. Villa was a member of the Argentina team who claimed the 1978 World Cup before moving to Tottenham Hotspur where he won the FA Cup double in 1981 and 1982.
The FAI International Player of the Year Award winners are:
Senior International Player of the Year:
Robbie Keane – Tottenham Hotspur
Senior Women's International Player of the Year:
Niamh Fahey - Arsenal
International Goal of the Year:
Robbie Keane – Tottenham Hotspur
France v Rep of Ireland, 18 November 2009
Young International Player of the Year:
Darron Gibson – Manchester United
Under-21 International Player of the Year:
Seamus Coleman - Everton
Airtricity League Player of the Year:
Gary Twigg – Shamrock Rovers
Under-19 International Player of the Year:
Lanre Oyebanjo – Histon FC
Under-17 International Player of the Year:
Stephen McDonnell – Dundalk FC
Under-16 International Player of the Year:
John O'Sullivan – Blackburn Rovers
Under-19 Women's International Player of the Year:
Julienne Russell – Salthill Devon
Under-17 Women's International Player of the Year:
Dora Gorman – Salthill Devon
Intermediate Player of the Year:
Ken Hoey - Rockmount
Junior International Player of the Year:
Wayne Fitzgerald – Carrick United
FAI Schools International Player of the Year:
Shane Howard - Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Carlow
Football For All International Player of the Year:
Luke Evans – CP Squad
Hall of Fame Award:
Ray Treacy
Special Merit Award:
Olivia O'Toole
International Personality of the Year Award:
Riccardo Villa
