Shay Wins FAI Player of the Year Award

By Matt Jones
February 27 2006

Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given has finally been confirmed the eircom/FAI Senior International Player of the Year for 2005, having being nominated for the award several times previously.

The 74-times capped player was at the heart of the Republic of Ireland's bid to reach this summer's World Cup finals in Germany, and produced a number of outstanding performances along the way.

As it happens, the Republic narrowly missed out on qualification.

Birmingham centre-back Kenny Cunningham and Manchester City defender Richard Dunne were beaten to the away by Shay, who said: "I've been nominated on numerous occasions, and I always thought I was just here to make up the numbers.

"But it's nice to get this reward now and I am very grateful.

"It was good [speaking about 2005] in some ways but not in others, in particular it is very disappointing we didn't get to Germany.

"It's been even more difficult living in England and reading about them in the papers all the time.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but now we've the European Championship to look forward to."

The European Championship campaign will be lead by Steve Staunton and Sir Bobby Robson, who added:

Robson, in particular, previously managed Given during his time as manager at St James' Park, and the Magpies number one said: "There are a few friendly faces.

"I will also be linking up again with (goalkeeping coach) Alan Kelly, who I used to room with.

"But we're all looking forward to tomorrow now and our first training session with Steve ahead of his first game in charge with Sweden on Wednesday."

NUFC and Comedy Wallpapers, Truetones, Polyphonics, Videos