Wicklow have three FAI award nominations
CO. Wicklow can boast three nominations for Sunday’s FAI International Awards. The Garden County is represented in three different categories with two Bray men and an Arklow man all in the running for awards.
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper will compete for the Senior International Player of the Year going alongside Shane Duffy and James McClean. Randolph repeatedly performed heroics as the last line of defence as Martin O’Neill’s men made it all the way to the World Cup play-offs but even the former Presentation College Bray student couldn’t keep Christian Eriksen at bay as Ireland’s World Cup dreams evaporated in forgettable fashion.
The 30-year-old has been in superb form for Middlesboro during their recent upsurge in form in the Championship but faces stiff competition from McClean and Duffy for this award.
Fellow Bray man Gary Messitt will also be suited and booted on Sunday as he hopes to pick up the Football for All International Player of the Year.
Messitt, a key member of the Cerebral Palsy squad, is competing with David Bissett (Homeless World Cup squad) and Gary Hoey (Amputee squad) for the honour. Messitt has served his country with impeccable dedication for over a decade now and the father of one shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Last but not least is Arklow’s Daire O’Connor. He recently hit the headlines as he bagged a stunning late winner for UCD in the Collingwood Cup final in February. O’Connor, who will turn 21 in April, has been on the League of Ireland scene for many years with UCD, is in contention for the College and Universities International Player of the Year.
The event will be broadcast live on RTE2 on Sunday evening.