The increasingly important contribution made by Charlton Athletic midfielder Mark Kinsella to Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland side was last night recognised at the Eircom/FAI International Awards in Citywest when the 28-year-old was named as the senior player of the year.
Kinsella only made his international debut in 1998 but firmly established himself as Roy Keane's partner in central midfield over the course of the Euro 2000 campaign.
This year he has started five of Ireland's nine games - he missed the friendly against Scotland as well as the trip to America - but with the start of the new World Cup qualifying series he has been quick to underline his importance within the team. He produced three memorable performances, the third of which, against Estonia, he rounded off with his first international goal in his 19 appearances.
Others to be honoured last night included Richard Dunne (Young Player), Barry Quinn (Under-21), and Pat Fenlon (Eircom League). For the Manchester City defender, in particular, the last couple of months have been unforgetable with the young Dubliner exceeding all expectations in his first three competitive starts for the national senior team.
Thrown into the starting line up because of Kenny Cunningham's absence through injury, Dunne was widely credited with severely limiting the impact of Patrick Kluivert during Ireland's game in Amsterdam.
He then went on to perform just as well in Lisbon and, like Kinsella, capped a wonderful few weeks by scoring at Lansdowne Road last month.
His displays in those three games subsequently went a long way towards persuading Joe Royle to bring the 21-year-old to Maine Road where he hopes to firmly establish himself as a first choice centre half over the coming months.
Still trying to become a regular first team starter at Coventry a couple of years after making the initial breakthrough, Barry Quinn nevertheless continued to mature as a player and had a fine 12 months with the Irish under21 team which he captains.
Fenlon, meanwhile, played an outstanding role in the Shelbourne side that won the league and cup double and this latest award completes a personal treble for the former Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Linfield star who has already been recognised this year by both the Soccer Writers Association and his fellow players.
Last night's Hall of Fame Award went to former Republic of Ireland winger Joe Haverty who was capped 32 times between 1956 and 1967 during which time he had spells with Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Celtic, Bristol Rovers and Shelbourne.
The International Award was presented to Pat Jennings of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Northern Ireland while Special Merit Awards were given posthumously to Dr Tony O'Neill and Tony Sheehan for their tremendous service to the Irish game.
AWARD WINNERS - Senior: Mark Kinsella (Charlton Athletic); Young: Richard Dunne (Manchester City); Under-21: Barry Quinn (Coventry City); Youth: Joe Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Under-16: Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United); Under-15: Robbie Shields (Leeds United/Cherry Orchard); Eircom League: Pat Fenlon (Shelbourne); Intermediate: Brian Healy (Temple United); Junior: Keith Bruen (Portmarnock); Schools: Alan Murphy (Galway United/Ballinrobe CS), Women - Senior: Ciara Grant (Arsenal); Under-18: Caroline Thorpe (Arsenal); International Personality: Pat Jennings; Hall of Fame: Joe Haverty; Special Merit: Dr Tony O'Neill and Tony Sheehan.
