| Given takes top award  Newcastle
goalkeeper Shay Given has been named the Eircom/FAI Senior International
Player of the Year for 2005.
Given had been nominated on a number of occasions previously but despite
his consistent leadership between the posts had never picked up the honour.
The 74-times capped player was the cornerstone of the Republic of Ireland’s
bid to reach this summer’s World Cup finals in Germany.
Given’s first cap for the Republic of Ireland came in March of 1996
against Russia.
Looking back on 2005’s record for Ireland the Donegal man said:
“It was good in some ways but not in others,. In particular it is
very disappointing we didn’t get to Germany.
“It’s been even more difficult living in England and reading
about them in the papers all the time.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow but now we’ve the European
Championship to look forward to.”
Given narrowly beat Birmingham centre-half Kenny Cunningham and Manchester
City’s Richard Dunne to claim the award.
Reading striker Kevin Doyle picked up the under-21 honour.
The Wexford man’s direct style of play has made him an instant favourite
with the Reading fans.
Sunderland’s Stephen Elliott won the Young International Award while
rising Bolton star Joey O’Brien was named the under-19 winner.
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