Garbhan Friel shortlisted for FAI Amateur Player of the Year
The Cockhill Celtic star is being recognised for outstanding role in the club's historic FAI Junior Cup triumph last May
Cockhill Celtic's Garbhan Friel has been shortlisted for Amateur Player of the Year at the prestigious 34th Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Awards, celebrating his exceptional contributions to the team.
Friel played a crucial role in Cockhill Celtic’s journey to their first-ever FAI Junior Cup victory, where he was named Man of the Match in their May final against Gorey Rangers which the Inishowen side won on penalties.
His performance has earned him a nomination in the Amateur Player of the Year category, where he is joined by fellow nominees Jordan Buckley of Usher Celtic and Eoin Murphy from Rockmount.
It was a stellar year for the Cockhill team that won five trophies in total rounding off a perfect season, and will be hoping to do it all again this year.
The winners will be presented with their trophies in the Aviva Stadium ahead of the UEFA Nations League game between Ireland and Finland on November 14.
The performances taken into account are from June 2023 to June 2024, while the League Player of the Year takes in the entirety of 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.