Cork City WFC trio are in the mix for FAI soccer awards

THREE Cork City women’s footballers Éabha O’Mahony, Saoirse Noonan and Nathalie O’Brien have been nominated for the 2018 ‘Three’ FAI International Awards.

The 29th annual awards ceremony is set to take place this Sunday evening in Dublin and City will have three representatives competing for honours in three separate categories.

Nathalie O’Brien, who became the first player to make 100 appearances for the Cork City women last year, has been nominated for the Football For All International player for the Year award following her performances in helping Doncaster reach the deaf futsal champions league final.

Saoirse Noonan has been nominated for U19 Women’s International Player of the Year award thanks to her goal-scoring exploits in the Women’s National League and also for the Republic of Ireland U19’s.

And 16-year-old Éabha O’Mahony has been shortlisted for the U17 Women’s International Player of the Year award, which she could also win again next year, as her excellent performances, last year saw her promoted to the Cork City and the Republic of Ireland senior women’s’ squads.

The players will only find out on the night whether or not they have been successful and speaking to the Echo, City women’s manager Rónán Collins admitted he is delighted their excellent form has been recognised.

“We are really delighted,” enthused Collins.

“It’s good to have players nominated and to have them nominated across different categories. All three of those girls played really good stuff last year.

“Between the academy and other teams, I think it is Eabha’s third season at the club, it could well be Saoirse’s fourth and Nathalie it’s her eighth so they have all been well established around the club for a while so it’s a great achievement for them.

“It’s a big occasion and the three of them are delighted, it’s brilliant to see that many girls nominated from the club and for such prestigious awards.”