The 19th eircom/FAI International Soccer Awards were announced before over 800 guests and a live tv audience, including the Minister for Education and Science, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe at Citywest Hotel, Saggart over the weekend. Eighteen awards were announced including the Senior International Player accolade which was awarded to Kevin Doyle. Report Shane Supple

Well done to local man Eddie Foley from Youghal who was awarded a special Merit award. The Special Merit award was handed to former FIFA Referee , Eddie Foley an Army quartermaster from Youghal who retired this year having enjoyed a career as one of Ireland’s most successful and respected referees. Eddie was the only official ever from the Republic of Ireland to have been appointed to the World Cup finals and the European Championship finals. It’s great to see local people doing well in the sporting world and while everyone remembers the stars and players, it’s a tribute to Eddie that we don’t hear his name being bandied about on our television screens, in national newspapers or in match reports. He goes about his job in a quite steady and professional manner, which is why he has been recognized by the F.A.I as well as the F.I.F.A, the governing body worldwide for international soccer fixtures and matches.

Eddie has been on the FIFA Assistant Referees Panel since 1995 and has lined at France ’98 and Euro 2000 he was the first only official ever from the Republic of Ireland to have been appointed to the 98 World Cup finals and the 2000 European Championship finals. During The World Cup he was allocated two first round matches as a referee’s assistant. He ran the line at Toulouse where Argentina played Japan. He also ran the line when Belgium played Mexico in Bordeaux in June. He has also officiated at an UEFA Cup Semi Final, Champions League Quarter Final and many other top games.

We would to wish Eddie all the best in his retirement from International duty on the playing pitch and trust that he will enjoy the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers from the comfort of his home with his wife Carmel and family rather then on a wet, windy & cold sideline where fans could all offer an opinion on the offside rules.

Here are just some of the many Games Eddie has officiated at
2008 FAI Cup Final Bohemians and Derry City,
2008 Euro Qualifiers Latvia V Iceland
2006 Champions League FC Zurich (SUI) v FC Salzburg (AUT)
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
2003 UEFA Champions League KF Tirana (ALB) and FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO).
2002 U21 International between England v. Italy.
2002 International between Wales and Argentina in Cardiff.
2001 World Cup Qualifier between the Faroe Islands and Russia in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
2001 Lithuania for FK Zalgiris Vilnius (LIT) V Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR).
2001 UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round tie between Valletta FC from Malta and FC Haka (Finland).
2000 Euro 2000 finals
1998 France World Cup Argentina vs Japan, Belgium vs Mexico, South Africa vs South Korea

Other awards on the night were as follows
The Young Player award went to Aiden McGeady while Owen Garvan captured the Under 21 award.
Michael Spillane picked up the Under 19 Player of the Year Award. Former Republic of Ireland player.
Arthur Fitzsimons entered the Hall of Fame in recognition to his talent and dedication to the national side in the 1950s.
The International Goal of the Year Award, went to Andy Keogh for his strike against Serbia in Giovanni Trapattoni’s first game in charge in 2008.
Recipient of the International Personality of the Year Award was Ruud Gullit. Gullit captain of the Netherlands national team that won the European Championship in 89. He played for top European clubs like PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea where he later moved into management and led the club to victory in the 97 FA cup. He was European Footballer of the year in 1987 and World Soccer player of the year in 1987 and 1989.

19th eircom/FAI International Soccer Award list
Senior Player Kevin Doyle – Reading
Special Merit Award Eddie Foley
Hall of Fame Arthur Fitzsimons
Young/U23 Aiden McGeady – Celtic
U21 Owen Garvan – Ipswich Town
International Goal of the Year Andy Keogh v Serbia (H) 24/05/08
League of Ireland Brian Murphy – Bohemian FC
U19 Michael Spillane – Norwich
U17 Aaron Doran – Blackburn Rovers
U16 Mark O’Brien – Derby County
Intermediate Derek Prendergast – Bangor Celtic
Junior International Seamus Crowe – Athenry
Senior Women’s Niamh Fahey – Arsena
U19 Women’s Karen Duggan – Piltown (Kilkenny)
U17 Women’s Ciara Grant – Kilmacrennan Celtic
FAI School’s John Mulroy – Moyle Park College
Football For All Stephen Coleman – Street Leagues
International Personality Ruud Gullit