Heady days for talented Doyle

Soccer AwardsReading striker Kevin Doyle received further recognition for the tremendous form he has displayed for club and country over the past 12 months when he was yesterday named in the short-lists for both the senior and young Irish player of the year.

The Wexfordman played five times for Ireland, scoring once, having been handed his senior debut by Steve Staunton in the manager's first game in charge, against Sweden in March.

At just 23, he managed to establish himself as Staunton's first-choice strike partner for Robbie Keane.

His form at Reading has also been outstanding, the former St Patrick's and Cork City player proving since the summer he was more than capable of making the transition from Championship to Premiership football. He has scored eight goals in 18 top-flight games for Steve Coppell's side.

Doyle's rivals for the senior award are Newcastle United's Damien Duff and Shay Given.

Aiden McGeady and another of the year's senior international debutants, Paul McShane, are included in the shortlist for the young-player award.

At under-21 level, Anthony Stokes's remarkable run of form for Scottish Premier club Falkirk makes him a frontrunner despite competition from Luton full-back Kevin Foley and Drogheda United midfielder Paul Keegan.

Arsenal's Ciara Grant and Emma Byrne and Harvard-based Alisha Moran are the contenders for the senior women's award.

The nominees for the Eircom League of Ireland Player of the Year are: Gary Beckett (Derry City), Ollie Cahill (Shelbourne), Roy O'Donovan (Cork City).

The Eircom-sponsored awards will take place on Sunday, February 4th, at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co Dublin, and will be televised live on RTÉ 2.

The winner will be chosen by a jury drawn from the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland.

NOMINATIONS

Senior International: Damien Duff (Newcastle), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Shay Given (Newcastle).

Young International: Kevin Doyle (Reading), Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Paul McShane (West Brom).

Under-21 International: Kevin Foley (Luton), Paul Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Anthony Stokes (Arsenal & Falkirk).

Under-19 International: Billy Clarke (Ipswich), John Paul Kelly (Bohemians), Darren O'Dea (Celtic).

Under-17 International: Terry Dixon (Tottenham), Donal McDermott (Manchester City), Michael Spillane (Norwich).

Under-16 International: Ian Daly (Manchester City), David Joyce (Birmingham), James O'Brien (Birmingham).

Eircom League Player: Gary Beckett (Derry City), Ollie Cahill (Shelbourne), Roy O'Donovan (Cork City).

FAI Schools International: Martin Doherty (Carndonagh CS/Derry City FC), Patrick Mullins (Sexton Street CBS/Geraldines FC), Conor Powell (Portmarnock CS/Bohemians).

Junior: Paul Breen (St Michael's), John Carroll (St Kevin's Boys), Michael Keogh (Killester United).

Intermediate: Ken Hoey (Rockmount), Paul McCabe (Crumlin United), Brendan O'Connell (College Corinthians).

Women's Senior International: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Alisha Moran (Harvard University).

Women's Under-19 International: Susan Hackett (Stella Maris), Grace Murray (Dundalk), Áine O'Gorman (Stella Maris).

Football for All Award: Aaron Clarke (FFA Schools International/Scoil Coláiste Eoin/Crumlin United), Elizabeth Gamble (Irish Deaf Sports Futsal Team/St Vincent's), Gary Messit (Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland/Glencormack United).

International Goal of the Year: Robbie Keane (v San Marino, 3); Kevin Kilbane (v Czech Rep); Liam Miller (v Sweden).