Nominees announced for Schools’ International Footballer of the Year

35^th FAI International Football Awards

Nominees announced for Schools’ International Footballer of the Year

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The 35^th FAI International Football Award winners will be announced next month around the Men’s International fixture against Senegal on Friday, June 6 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. FAI Schools are delighted to disclose the nominees in two of the nine underage categories.

Three students from Dublin have been nominated for the Under 18 Boys’ category while pupils from Carlow, Meath, and Sligo 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 2025 Schools’ International Player of the Year nominees are…

UNDER 18 BOYS’ SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

Adam BRENNAN | Hartstown Community School, Dublin

Rhys KNIGHT | Clonkeen College, Blackrock, Dublin

Alain KIZENGA | St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue, Dublin

UNDER 15 GIRLS’ SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

Hailey TWOMEY | Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Meath

Ciara MILTON | St. Leo’s College, Carlow

Ava HALLINAN | Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Sligo

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

Adam BRENNAN

A graduate of Hartstown Community College, Brennan had an excellent season for the Under 18 Boys' Republic of Ireland Schools. His impressive performances saw the Dubliner play the full 90 minutes in all four Centenary Shield games. Adam scored some vital goals in the campaign, most notably the opening goal in the Republic’s 6-2 victory over Northern Ireland and then again in their 2-1 win against England. The midfielder is currently enjoying his football at UCD AFC.

Rhys KNIGHT

Rhys was an instrumental player for the Under 18 Schools' select last season 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. He’s the second Clonkeen College student to be nominated for such an accolade with Shane Hanney selected in 2016.  He picked up Player of the Match against Scotland following a stellar performance.  Knight is continuing his rich vein of form with Bray Wanderers this season.

Alain KIZENGA

St. Mac Dara’s Community College scholar, Kizenga impressed for his Country as he Captained the Under 18 Boys’ Republic of Ireland Schools in all four Centenary Shield fixtures and their Friendly against Australia, with the opposition naming him their Player of the Match. His hard work and dedication ensured some exceptional performances throughout the series. Alain applies his trade with Bray Wanderers.

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 Neil FARRUGIA (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock).

Hailey TWOMEY

Following a sensational performance in the green jersey, 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. She has also been capped at Under 16s level.

Ciara MILTON

The St. Leo’s College, Carlow stalwart had a wonderful season for the Under 15 Girls' International squad, Captaining her team to victory in the Bob Docherty Cup. It was Milton’s second year involved with the International setup and her exceptional leadership qualities shone through this season. Ciara has further excelled with her involvement in the Ireland Under 16s squad. She progressed from the ranks at Killeshin FC to Shamrock Rovers.

Ava HALLINAN

The talented Sligo student was one of only two players that played the full 70 minutes in each of the Bob Docherty Cup matches. Hallinan was named Player of the Match against Scotland as she was a powerhouse in defence for the second consecutive appearance in green. The Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone student has plenty of experience gained at such a young age. She has been capped at Under 16s level. Ava made the move from local side Kilglass United to Sligo Rovers last year.

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

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