Dr. Alan Byrne honoured with FAI Special Merit Award

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Dr. Alan Byrne is the recipient of the Special Merit Award for the 32nd FAI International Awards

Dr. Alan Byrne has been honoured with the Special Merit Award for the 32nd FAI International Awards.

A hugely important figure in Irish football for the last three decades, Alan served as Team Doctor with the Republic of Ireland Men's Senior Team for over 200 games before stepping down this year to concentrate on his role as Medical Director with the FAI.

Alan has been Medical Director with the Football Association of Ireland since 2006 and has introduced a number of key medical programmes, including the Mrs. Brown’s Boys FAI Heart Care Programme which is currently offering a Government backed defibrillator scheme for all Grassroots clubs.

Having worked closely with underage international teams and League of Ireland clubs, Alan has played a crucial role in implementing structures that have helped to save lives across all areas of Irish football.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, Alan was instrumental in shaping the FAI protocols that safeguarded players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers around the country, before leading the return to play initiative. 

Alan - who is currently in Qatar working for FIFA at the 2022 FIFA World Cup – will continues to serve in his role as FAI Medical Director and his impact to date on Irish football is recognised with this prestigious Special Merit Award.

Dr. Alan Byrne said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of myself, my family and everyone I have worked with in football throughout my career. League of Ireland football has always been a passion of mine and to work with all the international teams over the years has been an absolute honour. I look forward to continuing to serve Irish football in my role as Medical Director with the FAI and want to thank everyone involved for this Special Merit Award.”

The Hall of Fame recipients will be announced on Wednesday, November 23rd, while the Amateur International Player of the Year will be confirmed in January 2023.

The other Award winners unveiled today include the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year, Football For All International Player of the Year as well as Underage International winners.


32nd FAI International Awards Winners

Special Merit
Dr. Alan Byrne

Senior Men's International Player of the Year
Josh Cullen 
 
Young International Player of the Year
Gavin Bazunu 
 
Senior Women's International Player of the Year
Katie McCabe  
 
International Goal of the Year
Troy Parrott (MNT v Lithuania) 
 
Under-21 International Player of the Year           
Conor Coventry 
 
Under-19s Men's International Player of the Year
Bosun Lawal 
 
Under-19s Women's International Player of the Year
Jessie Stapleton 
 
Under-18s Men's International Player of the Year 
Alex Murphy 
 
Under-17s Men's International Player of the Year
Mark O’Mahony 
 
Under-17s Women's International Player of the Year
Orlaith O’Mahony 
 
Under-16s Men's International Player of the Year
Naj Razi 
 
Under-16s Women's International Player of the Year
Jodie Loughrey 
 
Under-15s Men's International Player of the Year
Kaylam Harnett 
 
SSE Airtricity League of the Player
Georgie Kelly (Bohemians)
 
Colleges & Universities Player of the Year
Colin McCabe (TUD / Drogheda United) 
 
Schools International Player of the Year - Men's Under-18s
John O’Donovan (Clonakilty Community College) 

Schools International Player of the Year - Women's Under-15s
Hannah Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) 
 
Football For All International Player of the Year
Joe Markey (Ireland CP Team)