Louise Quinn has been named the FAI Women's Player of the Year for 2019. The Wicklow native previously won the award in 2013.
Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan were the other nominees for the award which was initially scheduled to be handed out at a ceremony earlier this year but was postponed due to Covid-19.
The 30-year-old Quinn recently left Arsenal and made the move to Italy with Fiorentina.
"It’s just incredible," Quinn, who played in every game for Ireland in 2019, told FAI TV.
"I’m really, really surprised to get that. I think we’ve had such an incredible year with such changes and the players coming up and stepping up to the plate, so to get the award is something truly special,” Quinn told FAI TV.
"Just to wear the (Ireland) jersey is something that I love to do every time that we get to step onto that pitch. I’m extremely proud of it.
"Then there is the likes of Katie (McCabe) and Denise (O’Sullivan), I’m their biggest fan so for them not to win is a travesty as well. But I’m thrilled, even though it’s always a team effort."
Under the management of Vera Pauw, Ireland are unbeaten in qualifying for the 2021 Women's European Championships. They currently sit top of Group I, a point ahead of Germany with three games to play. Ireland's three remaining games are home and away to Germany and away to Ukraine
"This squad is prepared to do whatever it takes to get to our Euros," said Quinn.
"Vera coming in has really steadied the ship. We have a really good understanding of each other, she’s taken on the qualities that we have and has simplified it and laid it out straight, and is making the international game easier for us.
"The experience she has with international teams is incredible so she knows what way to approach things. We have full trust in her with what she is doing with us and having Eileen (Gleeson, Assistant Coach) there as well to back her up is brilliant, and Jan Willem (van Ede, Goalkeeping Coach).
"We know that there is still massive room for improvement. In games, we’re definitely creating more chances but now is the time to start putting them away quicker. It’s now about being clinical with those really good chances that we are creating.
"It’s just building on that and tidying things up defensively. We had a really good game against Ukraine and yes Germany is daunting but we have to take it in our stride. We’ve put ourselves in the best position and it feels great, so we want to keep that feeling going."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
