Nominees announced for Schools’ International Footballer of the Year

34^th FAI International Football Awards

Monday, October 21, 2024

The 34^th FAI International Football Award winners will be announced next month with FAI Schools delighted to disclose the nominees in two of the nine underage categories.

Students from Sligo, Wicklow and Cork have been nominated for the Under 18 Boys’ category while pupils from Longford, Westmeath and Limerick were selected in the Under 15 Girls’ section.

The Schools International category for boys has been in existence since 1990 with a long list of star-studded winners. While the girl’s category was just introduced in 2019, demonstrating the surge for more recognition of the female game. 

The 2024 Schools’ International Player of the Year nominees are…

UNDER 18 BOYS’ SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

Daire PATTON | Summerhill College, Sligo

Hugh PARKER | Temple Carrig School, Greystones, Wicklow

Callum HONOHAN | Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline, Cork

UNDER 15 GIRLS’ SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

Mia MURTAGH | Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Longford

Sophie BYRNE | Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, Westmeath

Madison McGUANE | Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally, Limerick

Let’s look at the performances which merited such status.

Daire PATTON

A past pupil of Summerhill College, Sligo, Patton had an excellent season for the Under 18 Boys' Republic of Ireland Schools. His impressive performances in the green jersey saw him Captain the scholars to a 1-2 defeat to Australia at the start of the year. He scored in Ireland’s 3-0 win away to Wales and claimed Player of the Match for his brilliant performance against England. The midfielder is currently enjoying his football at Sligo Rovers.

Hugh PARKER

Hugh was an instrumental player for the Under 18 Schools' select last season playing in all four games. The Greystones pupil scored some vital goals netting against Northern Ireland and Wales. He also picked up Player of the Match against Scotland following a stellar performance.  Parker is continuing his rich vein of form with UCD AFC this season.

Callum HONOHAN

Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline scholar, Honohan impressed for his Country as he Captained the Republic of Ireland Schools in all four Centenary Shield fixtures. His hard work and dedication ensured some exceptional performances throughout the campaign. Callum now applies his trade with Cork City having previously starred with Carrigaline FC & Cobh Ramblers.

Previous winners include Stephen WARD (Portmarnock Community School), Robbie BENSON (Marist College, Athlone), Alan BROWNE (Nagle Community College, Mahon), Seán MAGUIRE (CBS Kilkenny), Ryan MANNING (Yeats College, Galway) and most recently Neil FARRUGIA (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock).

Mia MURTAGH

The Ballymahon student had a tremendous outing with the Under 15 Girls' Republic of Ireland Schools last season. She Captained the Republic of Ireland against Northern Ireland in the final day of the Bob Docherty Cup while clinching the Player of the Match accolade that afternoon. She was also named overall Player of the Tournament with her impressive displays for Ireland. Murtagh played for Kenagh United before making the move to Shamrock Rovers. She has also been capped at Under 16s level.

SOPHIE BYRNE

The Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone stalwart had a wonderful season for the Under 15 Girls' International team. Sophie was named Player of the Match following Ireland’s 2-1 win against Scotland in the opening game of the Bob Docherty Cup in her home town.  Byrne has further excelled with her involvement in the Ireland Under 16s squad. She progressed from the ranks at Willow Park FC to Shamrock Rovers.

Madison McGUANE

McGuane returned for a second season with the Under 15 Girls' Republic of Ireland Schools. Madison Captained the Republic of Ireland in their 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in an International Friendly in March while scoring a brace. She also Captained her side against Scotland and England in the Bob Docherty Cup. The Ardscoil Mhuire student has plenty of experience gained at such a young age. She has kicked on having been capped at Under 16s level as well as a call up to the Under 17s. She made the move from local side Pike Rovers to Treaty United last year.

Previous winners include Jessie STAPLETON (Palmerstown Community School), Hannah HEALY (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) and Abigail BRADSHAW (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon).

We wish the players nominated the very best of luck.

FAI Schools Under 18 Boys’ International Player of the Year Winners

FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ International Player of the Year Winners