Amanda with her mother at the FAI awards last night.

Player of the Year award for Amanda McQuillan

A good week for Meath sport was rounded off at RTE in Donnybrook on Sunday night when Johnstown, Navan girl Amanda McQuillan took the under-17 Women's International Player of the Year award at the 2016 Three FAI International Awards.

Amanda was twice nominated for the Meath Young Sportsperson of the Year award (2013 and 2014) with the accolade on each occasion going to top athletes Elizabeth Morland (2014) and Harry Purcell (2015).

Amanda started her soccer with the boys team at Johnstown at the age of 11 as a centre-forward and deputised one day as a goalkeeper due to an injury to the regular custodian.

She excelled in her new role and moved to St Ultan's Ladies and then to Trim Celtic and was included in Republic of Ireland teams as a goalkeeper. She also won Leinster inter-provincial honours and moved to top Dublin club Shelbourne.

Last night she received further recognition with the prestigious FAI award.

Jonathan Walters was selected as the Senior International Player of the Year, Denise O'Sullivan won the Senior Women's International Player of the Year and Robbie Brady picked up the Young International Player of the Year award.

Shane Long's memorable strike against Germany was voted as the Goal of the Year while Gerry Smith's Eastern Region team were honoured with the Special Merit award.

Former Ireland international forward Tony Cascarino was inducted into the Hall of Fame - becoming the sixth player from the EURO '88 & Italia '90 squads to be recognised.

Richie Towell was the winner of the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year following an outstanding season with Dundalk, while ex-Italy international Gianluca Vialli was named as the International Personality of the Year.

 

Senior International Player of the Year
Jonathan Walters

Senior Women's International Player of the Year
Denise O'Sullivan

Young International Player of the Year
Robbie Brady

Three International Goal of the Year
Shane Long v Germany

Special Merit
Regions' Cup team

Hall of Fame
Tony Cascarino

International Personality of the Year
Gianluca Vialli

Under 21 International Player of the Year
Alan Browne

Under 19 International Player of the Year
Ryan Manning

Under 19 Women's International Player of the Year
Megan Connolly

Under 17 International Player of the Year
Connor Ronan

Under 17 Women's International Player of the Year
Amanda McQuillan

Under 16 International Player of the Year
Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Under 16 Women's International Player of the Year
Heather Payne (Salthill Devon)

Under 15 International Player of the Year
Lee O'Connor (Villa - Waterford)

SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year
Richie Towell (Dundalk)

Junior International Player of the Year
Jimmy Carr (St Michael's)

Intermediate Player of the Year
Kenneth Hoey (Rockmount)

FAI School's International Player of the Year
Connor Ellis (Colaiste Phobail)

Football For All International Player of the Year
Mark Duffy (Special Olympics Ireland)