Updated at 18.28
IRISH UNDERAGE INTERNATIONALS Adam Idah, Aaron Connolly and Will Smallbone have made the nine-player shortlist for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
Chosen by the Premier League’s Football Development panel, the trio have been selected for their fine seasons at underage level with Norwich, Brighton and Southampton respectively.
19-year-old Galway-born forward Connolly hit 11 goals for Brighton in a side that finished third in PL2 Division 1, in addition to scoring five in the EFL Trophy.
Connolly subsequently made a loan move to Luton Town, though injury problems limited his progress and he made just two substitute appearances for this season’s League One champions.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old striker Idah scored 12 goals for Norwich in PL2 Division 2.
The youngster has also impressed for Ireland at underage level, hitting a brace against Luxembourg as Stephen Kenny’s U21 side got their Euro 2021 campaign off to a winning start last March.
In addition, 19-year-old Southampton midfielder Smallbone, who has represented Ireland at U19 level, featured 20 times as the Saints were promoted from Division 2.
Liverpool’s Rafael Camacho, Everton’s Morgan Feeney, Reading’s Daniel Loader, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, Everton’s Bassala Sambou, and Newcastle’s Elias Sorensen complete the list of nominees.
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Free Palestine
@Ailbhe: Free Plasticine.
Willie smallbone number 10.
I hope you score tonight and score plenty in the future.
Good luck lads COYBIG
Since when is Israel in Europe?
Is it due to the fact that most Israelis are of European origin?
@Shedonny: Asian countries refused to play them. They were in Oceania for a while!
@Sam Kendlin Hobbs: UEFA should have refused to admit them also
Cmon lads
That’s a good line up. Hard to see anything other than a positive result tonight
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: bahahahahah useless just all the hyped up championship players in ireland
@Tomas Lyons: grow up, muppet
Ferguson has had a woeful first half hour. He’s a lot better than he’s showing.
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: Good man Ferguson. Does nothing right for an hour then gets a goal. Come on lads!
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: I was thinking same. He was poor and rightfully hooked but took the goal very well.
Just an off day but he has quality.
Connolly Man of the Match.
Kenny Cunningham is meant to be a teetotaller….obviously not
Shalom to Ireland but you lose tonight
@Richarddoherty: they didn’t lose. might be nice to show some support to Ireland
Brilliant Evan.
Get in
Should have been a penalty
Israel 2 1
@jimmy fitz: thats the sport.
@Pauly Kel: it’s just a prediction Paul, don’t take it to heart