Rising star on shortlist for major sports award
Former Kilglass/Enniscrone United player Ava Hallinan is one of three players in the running to be named FAI Schools’ U15 Girls International Player of the Year.
The 35th FAI International Football Award winners will be announced next week to coincide with the Men’s International fixture against Senegal on Friday, June 6 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. FAI Schools has disclosed the nominees in the underage categories, with local interest in the shortlisting of Ava Hallinan for 2025 Schools’ U15 Girls International Player of the Year.
The Schools International category for boys has been in existence since 1990 with a long list of star-studded winners but the girls category was just introduced in 2019, demonstrating the surge for more recognition of the female game.
Ava is a student at Jesus and Mary Secondary School in Enniscrone and was one of only two players who 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. Ava has plenty of experience gained at such a young age; already capped at U16 level for the Republic of Ireland, she made the move from local side Kilglass/Enniscrone United to Sligo Rovers last year.
Also nominated for the same award are Hailey Twomey of Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Meath, and Ciara Milton, St Leo’s College, Carlow.
The winner will be presented with their trophy in the Aviva Stadium ahead of the International Friendly between Ireland and Senegal.
