Schools International Player of the Year – Men’s Under-18s
John O’Donovan (Clonakilty Community College)
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
CLONAKILTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE graduate John O’Donovan and HOLY FAITH SECONDARY SCHOOL, CLONTARF scholar Hannah Healy were honoured with the prestigious FAI Schools International Player of the Year Awards.
Th 32nd FAI International Awards recipients were announced this morning following a low key event this season.
O’Donovan joins fellow Cork winners Alan Browne (2012, Nagle Community College), Connor Ellis (2015, Coláiste Phobail, Bheanntraí) and Conor McCarthy (2016, Scoil Mhuire agus Smál, Blarney) on the roll of honours.
Under 18 Boys’ International
The Cork native played in every minute of every game in the Centenary Shield encounters. John McShane’s side won the opening game at home to Scotland in which O’Donovan played a starring role. However this result was followed up with a hard fought two all draw against Northern Ireland and a one all result away to England, again O’Donovan marshalled the defence bravely. The Republic of Ireland Schools lost out on the silverware following a 2-0 defeat away to Champions Wales.
Previous winners also include Stephen Ward (Portmarnock Community School), Robbie Benson (Marist College, Athlone), Seán Maguire (CBS Kilkenny), Ryan Manning (Yeats College, Galway) and Neil Farrugia (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock).
Lennon GILL (St. Benildus College, Stillorgan) and Michael RAGGETT (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny) were also nominated for this years award for their heroic displays in the SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign.