Dundalk captain O’Donnell named in league’s Most Hated XI

Dundalk’s Stephen O’Donnell

Ahead of Dundalk’s trip to Inchicore tonight to face champions St Patrick’s Athletic, club captain Stephen O’Donnell has been named in the ‘Most Hated’ team in the League of Ireland.

The team, put together by popular Irish soccer website Balls.ie, has the Galway native in central midfield.

Explaining their reasons for selecting the Dundalk captain, Balls said: “Stephen O’Donnell talks a lot. More specifically he talks to referees a lot. If talking to referees was an Olympic event, he’d be the Usain Bolt of talking to referees. Every single decision is questioned. That leads to loads of stupid bookings for O’Donnell. He was sent off twice last year, both for 2 yellow card offences. He was sent off for pushing Ger O’Brien (Pats) as they argued over a throw in and for diving against Sligo Rovers. His missed panenka last year v Bohs was warmly greeted around the league.”

O’Donnell is certain to get plenty of flak tonight in Richmond Park, having been sent off there last season in a crucial top of the table clash that Dundalk lost which went a long way to deciding the destination of the title.

The midfielder is a firm favourite with Lilywhites fans, however, and has been one of the most impressive performers for Stephen Kenny’s side so far this season, even scoring a crucial last gasp winner against Coleraine in the Setanta Sports Cup last month.

Kick-off tonight is at 7.05pm, with the game being televised live on RTÉ2.

You can view the full ‘Most Hated’ XI here.

Dundalk duo nominated for FAI awards

Richie Towell

Dundalk FC’s Richie Towell has been nominated for the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year award ahead of next month’s 3/FAI International Awards.

The talented midfielder, who was voted the PFAI Young Player of the Year before Christmas, will go up against St Patrick’s Athletic duo Killian Brennan and Ger O’Brien for the prestigious prize. No Dundalk player has ever won the award although former Lilywhite George O’Callaghan did clinch it in 2005 while playing for his native Cork City.

Meanwhile, Georgie Poynton – who earlier this week signed professional forms with Dundalk – has also been nominated for U-16 International Player of the Year along with Anthony Dolan and Robert Duggan.

Seamus Coleman, David Forde and Robbie Keane have all been nominated for the Senior international Player of the Year award. The prizes will be given out a ceremony which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two on Sunday March 2nd.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

• Senior international player of the year: Seamus Coleman, David Forde, Robbie Keane.
• Senior women’s international player of the year: Louise Quinn, Shannon Smyth, Julie-Ann Russell.
• Young international player of the year: Ciaran Clark, James McCarthy, James McClean.
• 3 international goal of the year: Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Keane, Shane Long.
• SSE Airtricity League player of the year: Killian Brennan, Ger O’Brien, Richie Towell.
• U21 international player of the year: Shane Duffy, Sean Murray, Aiden O’Brien.
• U19 international player of the year: Sam Byrne, Shane Griffin, Pierce Sweeney.
• U19 women’s international player of the year: Katie McCabe, Sarah Rowe, Claire Shine.
• U17 international player of the year: Jack Byrne, Cody Mulhall, Jake Mulraney.
• U17 women’s international player of the year: Megan Connolly, Keeva Keenan, Savannah McCarthy.
• U16 international player of the year: Anthony Dolan, Robert Duggan, George Poynton.
• Junior international player of the year: Paul Breen, Darren Dunne, Shane Waters.
• Intermediate player of the year: Martin Cramer, Andrew Neville, Malachy McDermott.
• Football for All international player of the year: Marc Bigger, Joe Markey, Noel O’Donnell.
• FAI Schools international player of the year: Alan Browne, Alex Byrne, Jack Doherty.