Great news for Ballinasloe's Heather Payne
Young Ballinasloe soccer starlet Heather Payne has been chosen as the FAI Under 16 Women’s International Player of the Year.
A daughter of Brendan and Grainne Payne, Heather was a member of the ADSL Development Academies in the past, and has represented her country at schools’ level. She played for Ballinasloe Town but is now turning out with Salthill Devon in Galway.
She is a pupil at Ard Scoil Mhuire in Ballinasloe. Along with Sinead Farrell, from Summerhill, Heather was chosen to receive a coveted Westmeath Independent Sport Star monthly award in 2013, after the pair were selected for the Ireland Schools U15 girls squad following a testing trial process.
This year, Heather featured for Dave Connell’s Republic of Ireland women’s under-17s in the European Championship finals in Iceland.
Her selection as Under 16 player of the year was announced by the FAI today ahead of the 2016 3 FAI International Awards on Sunday, March 20.
The prestigious awards will be held at RTE studios and broadcast live on RTE2 from 8pm, where the Republic of Ireland men’s senior squad will be in attendance alongside each of the nominees.
Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan, and Jonathan Walters are all in the running for the Senior International Player of the Year - neither of whom have won that award yet.
In the mix for the Three International Goal of the Year is Robbie Brady’s strike away to Bosnia & Herzegovina, Shane Long’s match-winner against Germany, and Jonathan Walters’ goal at home to Georgia.
Contesting the Senior Women’s International Player of the Year is last year’s winner Julie-Ann Russell along with defender Louise Quinn and midfielder Denise O’Sullivan.
For the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year, it is three men who helped Dundalk clinch the domestic double last year with Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan, and Richie Towell all up for the award.
The Special Merit award goes to Gerry Smith’s Eastern Region team who were victorious on home soil last year when hosting the UEFA Regions’ Cup.