Milton nominated for prestigious FAI award

Ciara Milton is one of the nominees for the the prestigious 35th FAI International Football Awards. The winners will be announced next month around the Men’s International fixture against Senegal on Friday, June 6 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Ciara is nominated for the Under 15 Girls' Schools International Player of the Year.

The St. Leo’s College student is nominated on the back of a wonderful season for the Under 15 Girls' International squad, captaining her team to victory in the Bob Docherty Cup. It was Milton’s second year involved with the international setup and her exceptional leadership qualities shone through this season. Ciara has further excelled with her involvement in the Ireland Under 16s squad. She progressed from the ranks at Killeshin FC to Shamrock Rovers and has previously won the Gaynor Cup with the Carlow League team.

She was also recently recognised for the second time at the recent Nationalist Quarterly Sports Awards.

Also up for the award are Hailey Twomey and Ava Hallinan. 

Following a sensational performance in the green jersey, Hailey put Eureka Secondary School, Kells on the map when she was named Player of the Match in an International Friendly against Northern Ireland at Dundalk in March. The Meath student provided assists for two of the three goals scored and was a menace to the opposition that afternoon. She followed this up with an assist for the opening goal against England in their 2-1 win at the Bob Docherty Cup. While she netted the second of three goals against rivals Northern Ireland in Belfast. Twomey played for Kells Blackwater FC before making the move to Shamrock Rovers. She has also been capped at Under 16s level.

Talented Sligo student Ava Hallinan was one of only two players that played the full 70 minutes in each of the Bob Docherty Cup matches. Hallinan was named Player of the Match against Scotland as she was a powerhouse in defence for the second consecutive appearance in green. The Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone student has plenty of experience gained at such a young age. She has been capped at Under 16s level. Ava made the move from local side Kilglass United to Sligo Rovers last year.

Previous winners include Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown Community School), Hannah Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf), Abigail Bradshaw (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon), and Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally, Limerick).