Knight & Twomey named Schools’ International Footballers of the Year

35^th FAI International Football Awards

Friday, June 6, 2025

The 35^th FAI International Football Award winners were announced ahead of the Men’s International Friendly against Senegal in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin this evening. 

Rhys KNIGHTa fifth year student in Clonkeen College, Blackrockwas named Under 18 Boys’ Schools International Player of the Year while Hailey TWOMEYa pupil in Eureka Secondary School, Kells picked up the Under 15 Girls’ Schools accolade. A fantastic acknowledgement of the youngsters endeavours in the Ireland jersey.

Rhys was an instrumental player for Derek O’Brien’s Schools select playing in all four Shield encounters as well as their 3-1 victory over Australia in an International Friendly at the start of the season. The versatile midfielder showed his talent on the park with some mammoth performances. One such outing, merited his Player of the Match award away to Scotland.  Knight has a very promising career ahead of him as he continues his rich vein of form with Bray Wanderers this season.

The boys achievements have been duly acknowledged since 1990 at this level and although the girls International squads have been in existence since 2002, it was only in 2019 when the FAI added the Under 15s Girls’ Schools’ category to the list. 

Hailey is only the fifth female player to receive such an endorsement with previous winners including Madison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally), Jessie STAPLETON (Palmerstown CS), Hannah HEALY (Holy Faith SS, Clontarf) and Abigail BRADSHAW (St. Colmcille’s CS, Knocklyon).

Following a sensational performance for Richard Berkeley’s side, Hailey put Eureka Secondary School, Kells on the map when she was named Player of the Match in an International Friendly against Northern Ireland at Dundalk in March.  The Meath student provided assists for two of the three goals scored and was a menace to the opposition that afternoon. She followed this up with an assist for the opening goal against England in their 2-1 win at the Bob Docherty Cup. While she netted the second of three goals against rivals Northern Ireland in Belfast. Twomey played for Kells Blackwater FC before making the move to Shamrock Rovers.

We congratulate the other nominees as fellow Dubs, Adam BRENNAN, Hartstown Community School and Ireland Captain Alain KIZENGA,  St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue were nominated in the Boys’ category with Ireland Captain Ciara MILTON, St. Leo’s College, Carlow and Ava HALLINAN, Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Sligo selected for the Under 15 Girls’ division.

Both Hailey Twomey & Ireland team-mate Ciara Milton were nominated for the Under 16 Girls’ International Football of the Year this evening too. A tremendous honour to be selected at both grades as Keelin Comiskey was announced as the Under 16 winner.   Keelin who is a student in St. Mac Dara’s Community College was capped for FAI Schools last season so it’s lovely to see her progression on the International scene. As well as Madison McGuane who secured the Under 17 gong.

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

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