With the season almost over, all eyes will turn to the World Cup in Brazil. Of course, Ireland won’t be there and the selection of Seamus Coleman and Andy Reid in their respective teams of the year is yet another indictment of Giovanni Trapattoni’s philosophy as Irish manager. They also make a mockery of the argument that we don’t have ball-players.
Robbie Keane was named Senior International Player of the Year for 2013 at the FAI awards while James McCarthy picked up the young player gong. Ireland’s captain scored 8 goals including a hattrick against the Faroe Islands in a game when he broke the all-time appearances record.
Having bided his time, to the consternation of Irish fans, before breaking into the Republic set-up, Seamus Coleman has been rewarded with a nomination for international player-of-the-year. The Everton defender is up for the award alongside goalkeeper David Forde and captain Robbie Keane.
The FAI International awards take place this weekend.What will it say about Giovanni Trapattoni if Seamus Coleman wins Young Player of the Year? A footballer the Italian wouldn’t have on the bench as he was putting Gareth Bale and a string of Premier League full-backs in his pocket, could be looking at the trophy on his Donegal mantelpiece while Ireland are in action in Poland.