Garbhan Friel of Cockhill Celtic named FAI Amateur Player of the Year

Garbhan Friel of Cockhill Celtic has been named Amateur Player of the Year at the 34th Football Association of Ireland (FAI) International Awards at an event at the Aviva Stadium.

Striker Friel helped his side to a memorable 2024, most notably their success in the FAI Junior Cup when they overcame Gorey Rangers from Wexford in Galway, as well as victory on their return to the Inishowen Junior Football League.

Chiedozie Ogbene was selected as the Senior Men's International Player of the Year following his first-ever nomination, while Courtney Brosnan won the Senior Women's International Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

The Young Men's International Player of the Year and the Young Women's International Player of the Year Awards were collected by Evan Ferguson and Heather Payne - both winning for the second successive year.

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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) as 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. The Dubliner scored 21 times in 92 appearances, including a memorable goal against Netherlands at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

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 Awards event took place ahead of the UEFA Nations League game between Ireland and Finland with 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.

A jury from Soccer Writers' Ireland helped with the selection of certain categories to help honour those who excelled over the previous year.

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