Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Welcome to the 2004 Foot.ie Awards. I hope to make this an annual thing and there was a positive response to it this time around so if you’ve any suggestions for next year please let us know!
Anyways, thanks to everyone who voted and to the person who would rather remain nameless for helping me out big time with the power point presentation. Lets just call him A Face.
Onwards to the first award!
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
The first award is for the best player in the Eircom League over the 2004 season. This was always going to be hotly contested with a close finish and two big European runs however the champions seemed to get the majority of picks from the voters, so the nominations are….
Owen Heary (Shelbourne)Jason Byrne (Shelbourne)Kevin Doyle (Cork City)Stuart Byrne (Shelbourne)Steven Williams (Shelbourne)
And the winner is….
EL Player of the yearEL Player of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
EL Player of the yearEL Player of the year
Jason ByrneJason Byrne
(Shelbourne)(Shelbourne)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Onto the Division One awards which probably turned out to be one of the most one sided of all of the awards, so much votes went one particular way that we only have two nominations! Both being the goal scoring masters of their respective promoted sides who will be looking to show what they can do in the top flight next season. The two nominations are
Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps)Eamon Zayed (Bray Wanderers)
And the winner is….
Division one Player of the yearDivision one Player of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Division 1 Player of the yearDivision 1 Player of the year
Kevin McHughKevin McHugh
(Finn Harps)(Finn Harps)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
With the young player of the year came probably the closest of all the votes. These were top performers in the league and in a few cases, for the Irish U21 side too, and the voting was very much split. We have five nominations this time, the five players in question being…
Kevin Doyle (Cork City)Wes Hoolahan (Shelbourne)Keith Fahey (St Pats)Liam O’Brien (Shamrock Rovers)Liam Kearney (Cork City)
And so split was the votes, we couldn’t find one winner, so a shared award goes too…
EL Young Player of the yearEL Young Player of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
EL Young Player of the yearEL Young Player of the year
Liam Kearney, Wes Liam Kearney, Wes Hoolahan, Kevin Doyle & Hoolahan, Kevin Doyle &
Mark O’BrienMark O’Brien
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Proof of the talents and potential of the two contenders for the senior version of this award is in that they both appear as nominees for the young player of the year award, this time with a bit more competition. The nominees are…
Eamon Zayed (Bray Wanderers)Chris O’Connor (Bray)Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps)Conor Kenna (UCD)Stephen O’Mahoney (Limerick)
And the winner is….
Division One Young Player of the yearDivision One Young Player of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Division One Young Player of the Division One Young Player of the yearyear
Eamon ZayedEamon Zayed
(Bray Wanderers)(Bray Wanderers)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
In an award that probably proved a landslide, there was always going to be one obvious winner here, but they didn’t get all the votes. Three teams were nominated by the voters for the title of most improved team of 2004, those teams being…
Drogheda UnitedFinn HarpsUCD
Predictably enough taking home the award is….
Most improved teamMost improved team
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Most Improved TeamMost Improved Team
Drogheda UnitedDrogheda United
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
This award was an interesting one. Still remembered during the off season was the European headlines and close title run of Pat Fenlon and Pat Dolans sides, as well as their war of words throughout the season. Drogheda's title of most improved team was also in no small part down to the influence of Paul Doolin, and it was those three who were the run away leaders in this award in the eyes of the voters. The nominations were
Pat FenlonPat DolanPaul DoolinMike Kerley
And the winner is….
Manager of the yearManager of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Manager of the yearManager of the year
Pat FenlonPat Fenlon
(Shelbourne)(Shelbourne)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
In a year when Ireland put to bed the memories of Basle ’03 and earned a point in France, while also were the first side to beat Holland in the Amsterdam Arena ever, and in a year where they currently lead their world cup qualifying group and where we’ve a new record goal scorer there were a number of players who stood out. Those players being…
Kevin Kilbane (Everton)Damien Duff (Chelsea)Shay Given (Newcastle)Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham)Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspurs)
The winner, in this very close run category, is…
Irish International player of the yearIrish International player of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Irish International Player of the Irish International Player of the YearYear
Damien DuffDamien Duff
(Chelsea)(Chelsea)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
But what of what’s to come? Which debutant in the year 2004 caught the eye of the voters because of their impact and potential. This was a close one, Andy Reid even getting a few votes despite debuting in 2003! The nominations, and the ones to watch in the future, are…
Jason Byrne (Shelbourne)Stephen Elliot (Sunderland)Aiden McGeady (Celtic)Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest)Liam Miller (Manchester United)
But the real one to watch, the best of the lot was…
Best New CapBest New Cap
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Best New CapBest New Cap
Aiden McGeadyAiden McGeady
(Celtic)(Celtic)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
For the youth teams it was a year to remember also. Many good results were achieved and much like the senior team, someone set a goal scoring record at U21 level. This award was based soley on outstanding performances from U21 level down for Ireland, and the three nominees are…
Stephen Elliot (Sunderland)Willo Flood (Manchester City)Liam Kearney (Cork City)
So the next big thing, if youth football is anything to go by, is…
International Young Player Of The YearInternational Young Player Of The Year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
International young player of the International young player of the yearyear
Stephen ElliotStephen Elliot
(Sunderland)(Sunderland)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
But what of those who haven’t yet pushed on to the senior squad? What gem in the rough has manager Brian Kerr so far not seen. Perhaps unsurprisingly Eircom League players dominated voting espically those who proved themselves against opposition like Lille and Deportivo or Malmo and Nantes. The nominees are…
Owen Heary (Shelbourne)Kevin Doyle (Cork City)Willo Flood (Manchester City)Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne)
Here is your winner…
Best uncapped Irish playerBest uncapped Irish player
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Best Uncapped Irish PlayerBest Uncapped Irish Player
Owen HearyOwen Heary
(Shelbourne)(Shelbourne)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
But what goal stood out over 2004? Contenders range from the technically brilliant to the simply significant and it’s a very impressive bunch, this was another very close run vote. The nominees are..
Dave Rogers V Hadjuk Split (Shelbourne)Clinton Morrison V Switzerland (Ireland)Robbie Keane V Holland (Ireland)Liam Kearney V Malmo (Cork City)Sean Fínn V Cork City (UCD)Gary O’Neil V Bohemian (Dublin City)Wesley Hoolahan V Finn Harps (Shelbourne)John O’Flynn V Malmo (Cork City)
But the one that stood out more than most was….
Best GoalBest Goal
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Best GoalBest Goal
Robbie KeaneRobbie Keane
(Vs Holland)(Vs Holland)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Scoring is one thing, but what of the men keeping them out? Which keeper pulled off the best save of 2004? This one wasn’t so closely contested, but there were some stunning saves in 2004 all the same. The most memorable being…
Shay Given V Switzerland (Ireland)Shay Given V France (Ireland)Stevie Williams V Cork (Shelbourne)Mick Divine V NEC Nijmegen (Cork City)
I doubt the winner will come as any real surprise however, and that winner is…
Best SaveBest Save
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Best SaveBest Save
Shay GivenShay Given(Vs Switzerland)(Vs Switzerland)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
What of the heroes of 2004? An award so contentious two of the nominees also appear in the Villain of the year award. No prizes for guessing who. The nominees are…
Dave RogersRoy KeaneRoddy CollinsGeorge O’CallaghanJohn O’DonoghueGary O’NeilFran Rooney
First place is shared between two heroes of the year…
Hero of 2004Hero of 2004
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Hero of 2004Hero of 2004
Dave Rogers & Roy Dave Rogers & Roy KeaneKeane
(Shelbourne & Man U)(Shelbourne & Man U)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
And Roy Keane could be in for a unique double here, as he’s one of the many contenders for the equally hotly contested villain of the year. Also appearing again is the best dressed Villain of the lot, Roddy “the Rod” Collins. The nominees in full are…
Roddy CollinsThe Shamrock Rovers BoardOllie ByrnePaul DoolinJohn Delaney and the FAIRoy Keane
A single winner this time, as if his ego would allow for a second...
Villain of the yearVillain of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Villain of 2004Villain of 2004
Roddy CollinsRoddy Collins
(Wherever It Suits Him)(Wherever It Suits Him)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
What of the unsung heroes of 2004? We’ll here’s their chance to make the headlines, this was another very very even vote with many contenders, those being…
Wesley Charles (Bray Wanderers)Keith Fahey (St. Pats)Dan O’Connor (Drogheda United)Trevor Molloy (Shamrock Rovers)Alan Bennett (Cork City)Lee Carsley (Everton)David McGill (Dublin City)Owen Heary (Shelbourne)Jose Qunitago (Waterford United)
The winner, and therefore by default least under rated of the lot, is
Most under rated playerMost under rated player
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Most Under Rated PlayerMost Under Rated Player
Lee CarsleyLee Carsley
(Everton)(Everton)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Similarly even vote with many contenders here, but slightly less appealing to the winner, it’s the most over rated player. The nominees are
Dominic Foley (Bohemian)Alan Moore (Shelbourne)Tony Grant (Shamrock Rovers)Colin Hawkins (Bohemian)Jamie Harris (Shelbourne)John O’Shea (Manchester United)Mark Kenny (Shamrock Rovers & Dublin City)Dan Murray (Cork City)Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne)Glen Crowe (Bohemian)
The winner of this not so prestigious of awards is…
Most over ratedMost over rated
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Most Over Rated Player Most Over Rated Player
Alan MooreAlan Moore
(Shelbourne)(Shelbourne)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
But what of the fans, it’s the atmosphere that makes the game what it is, and so here’s the nominees for best chant…
Indian War Cry (Shelbourne)Thierry Henry, you’re havin’ a laugh (Ireland in Paris)Silent Night (Rovers fans in Lansedown)Total football you’re havin’ a laugh (Cork at home to NEC)French National Anthem (Ireland in Paris)Build me up Buttercup (Shamrock Rovers)Who needs abramovic, Brian sells lots of chips (Cork City)New “Rebel Army” Chant (Cork City)
The winner goes to the fans of…
Best ChantBest Chant
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Best ChantBest Chant
Indian War CryIndian War Cry
(Shelbourne fans)(Shelbourne fans)
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
It’s the award with no winner! Everyone who voted in this category voted differently, so the nominees and joint winners are..
Maurice Farrell getting booked in Station RoadSeeing Dublin City had beat Bohs 4-2 in DalyerKick about under the eifle towner in Paris“Silent night" by Rovers fans in LansdowneReynolds red card in the RSCFrench national anthem in the Stade de France!Roddy in the Rovers dugout on the last day of the seasonEngland in Euro 2004 (France and Portugal games)Streaker at the cross first game of the season 2004 v Dublin CityRoddy Collins abuse at the cross during the European run
No presentation, the foot.ie stage isn’t big enough.
Most Amusing momentMost Amusing moment
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Onto our final award, the single moment that stood out in this year. There were many, heroic draws for the national team, beating Holland away, Shels two in a row and two record setting European runs. But what single moment stood out in 2004 more than most? Here’s the nominees.
Dave Rogers scoring for Shels against Hadjuk SplitIreland drawing in ParisThe final whistle v Nijmegen at the crossFrench national anthem in the Stade de FranceDublin City beating Bohs 4-2 in DalyerShels drawing with DeportivoRovers 20 minute flare display V PatsFull time away to Malmo, start of the European runs
Apparently, no one moment did stand out, so the joint winners are
Moment of the yearMoment of the year
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
Moment of the yearMoment of the year
Dave Rogers scoring against Dave Rogers scoring against Split & Ireland Drawing in Split & Ireland Drawing in
ParisParis
Foot.ie Awards 2004Foot.ie Awards 2004
So that wraps up the foot.ie awards for the year 2004. A year that will be remembered for many reasons, goal scoring records set at U21 and senior level, Shelbournes first two in a row, Longfords double and two in a row and two record breaking European runs that put Eircom League football on the map. Next year we’ve the Setanta cup to look forward to, the end of the 2006 world cup qualifiers and a whole new season of Eircom League and cup action to look forward to.
So I hope you enjoyed the foot.ie awards enough for me to bring that back next year in what looks like being a very memorable season, and again a special thanks to the voters and A Face for helping out with the presentation.