Robbie Brady has teammates in stitches with reaction to FAI Senior Player award
Robbie Brady was handed the FAI Senior Player of the Year award at the Ireland squad's Castleknock Hotel HQ on Wednesday morning - and his reaction to winning the prize for the second time in his career drew laughs from his teammates.
Brady, who last won the award in 2016 after his heroics at that summer's European Championships, was presented with the trophy by Heimir Hallgrímsson and John O'Shea.
The Preston defender made a big impact in 2024, scoring the winner in the Nations League game away to Finland.
It was his 10th goal for the Boys in Green, while he won eight caps last year, having not featured at all in 2023.
Brady is once again a mainstay in the team, having played both legs of the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Bulgaria in March.
And he is set to add to his 70 caps to date when Ireland take on Senegal on Friday at the Aviva Stadium and Luxembourg next Tuesday.
In a far cry from the days when the FAI hosted their international awards at a gala banquet in Citywest Hotel, Brady was given his prize on Wednesday in front of his teammates as they went through video analysis of Senegal.
Assistant coach O'Shea said: 'We had Caoimhin (Kelleher), Nathan (Collins) and Robbie Brady nominated for the Senior Men's Player of the Year, and the winner, deservedly so… Mr Robbie Brady.'
As Hallgrímsson made the presentation, Brady's teammates called for a speech.
The Dubliner said: 'Listen lads, this is brilliant, I didn't expect to win it, so it shows how sh*t youse have all been if I'm winning this!
'No, listen, obviously I was out of the camp for quite a while. I'm delighted to get myself back in and I'm buzzing for this, so thanks for everything, and helping me pick this up. Fair play you youse.'
Brady last week signed a new contract with Preston, ending any doubt about where his club future would like beyond the summer.
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