Heather Payne has lands the FAI’s Young Women's International Player of the Year Award.
The winners of the 34th Football Association of Ireland (FAI) International Awards have been confirmed following an event at the Aviva Stadium. These awards were for the calendar year June 2023 to June 2024.
Payne played two games in the 2023 World Cup and also secured a move to Everton in 2023. Whereas, it was the second successive year for Payne to win the award.
Whereas, the young men's international player of the year went to Evan Ferguson.
Elsewhere, Chiedozie Ogbene was selected as the Senior Men's International Player of the Year following his first ever nomination. Whereas, Courtney Brosnan won the Senior Women's International Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
Indeed, Ireland Women's National Team (WNT) captain Katie McCabe scooped the International Goal of the Year Award for her superb strike against Canada at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Nora McHugh became just the sixth woman to be inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame (following Emma Byrne, Anne O'Brien, Paula Gorham, Linda Gorman and Sue Hayden). Indeed, McHugh was the first ever captain of the WNT was recognised for her impact on Irish Football.
Former men's International Niall Quinn was also honoured as a Hall of Fame inductee. Quinn scored 21 times in 92 appearances. Including, a memorable goal against Netherlands at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Michelle O'Neill takes special merit award
The recipient of the special merit award was Michelle O'Neill. The recently-retired match official was celebrated for her outstanding career that included officiating at FIFA Women's World Cups, UEFA Women's European Championships, the UEFA Women's Champions League Final, the UEFA Men's Super Cup Final as well as in the League of Ireland.
The winners selected from performances taken into account are from June 2023 to June 2024, while the League of Ireland Player of the Year Award refers to performances in the 2023 season.
Indeed, a jury from Soccer Writers' Ireland helped with the selection of certain categories.
34th FAI International Awards Winners
Senior Men's International Player of the Year - Chiedozie Ogbene
Senior Women's International Player of the Year - Courtney Brosnan
Young Men's International Player of the Year - Evan Ferguson
Young Women's International Player of the Year - Heather Payne
International Goal of the Year - WNT | Katie McCabe vs Canada
Men's Under-21 International Player of the Year - Andrew Moran
Men's Under-19 International Player of the Year - Mark O’Mahony
Women's Under-19 International Player of the Year - Kate Thompson
Men's Under-18 International Player of the Year - Danny McGrath
Men's Under-17 International Player of the Year - Harry McGlinchey
Women's Under-17 International Player of the Year - Keeva Flynn
Men's Under-16 International Player of the Year - Michael Noonan
Women's Under-16 International Player of the Year - Ella Kelly
Men's Under-15 International Player of the Year - David Dunne
Under-15 Girls’ FAI Schools International Player of the Year - Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally)
Under-18 Boys FAI Schools International Player of the Year - Daire Patton (Summerhill College, Sligo)
Football For All International Player of the Year - Chloe Kenna (Street Leagues)
Amateur Player of the Year - Garbhan Friel (Cockhill Celtic)
League of Ireland Men's Player of the Year - Sponsored by SSE Airtricity - Lee Grace (Shamrock Rovers)
Hall of Fame
Niall Quinn
Nora McHugh
Special Merit - Michelle O'Neill
