The 33rd FAI International Awards took place on Tuesday night at The Round Room in The Mansion House to recognize outstanding achievements in Irish football over the past year.
Encompassing performances from June 2022 to June 2023, the annual awards brought together numerous individuals to celebrate those who have made a significant impact on Irish football.
Defender Nathan Collins received the Senior Men's International Player of the Year award, while goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was named the Senior Women's International Player of the Year, both in recognition of their superb seasons.
Evan Ferguson was honored as the Young Men's Player of the Year, and Heather Payne received the inaugural Young Women's Player of the Year award.
Amber Barrett, a forward for the WNT, clinched the International Goal of the Year, surpassing Collins and fellow senior teammate Michael Obafemi. Barrett's goal against Scotland proved pivotal in Vera Pauw's team qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Our Winners 👑#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/n1McvR5zda
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 20, 2023
Rebekah Grant was crowned the Football For All International Player of the Year, having played a crucial role in the Deaf Women's Futsal Team's qualification for this year's World Cup.
Niamh O'Donoghue was honored with the Special Merit Award. As the first woman elected to the FAI Council and FAI Board, she had a significant impact on shaping the structures of women's and girls' football.
The FAI Hall of Fame welcomed two new inductees: former international defender Kevin Moran and ex-WNT goalkeeper Sue Hayden, both legendary figures for their respective teams.
A panel of members from Soccer Writers' Ireland assisted in selecting the nominees and winners across seven different categories.
33rd FAI INTERNATIONAL AWARDS WINNERSSENIOR MEN’S INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARNathan CollinsYOUNG MEN’S INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAREvan FergusonSENIOR WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARCourtney BrosnanYOUNG WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARHeather PayneINTERNATIONAL GOAL OF THE YEARWNT | Amber Barrett v ScotlandMEN’S UNDER-21 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARWill SmallboneMEN’S UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARSean GrehanMEN’S UNDER-18 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARSam CurtisMEN’S UNDER-17 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARNaj RaziMEN’S UNDER-16 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARMatthew MooreMEN’S UNDER-15 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARRory FinneranUNDER-18 SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARPeter Grogan (St. Mary’s CBS, Carlow)WOMEN’S UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARScarlett HerronWOMEN’S UNDER-17 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARAoife KellyWOMEN’S UNDER-16 INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARFreya HealyUNDER-15 GIRLS SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARAbigail Bradshaw (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon)FOOTBALL FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARRebekah Grant (Deaf Futsal)SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEARRory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers)AMATEUR INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEARStephen ChambersSPECIAL MERITNiamh O'DonoghueHALL OF FAMEKevin MoranSue Hayden
