Irish captain Roy Keane has been shortlisted for this year's Eircom/FAI International Player of the Year award - but he faces stiff opposition from Mark Kinsella and Niall Quinn.

If the award was on form alone there would be no other winner than Keane but, sadly, the FAI awards rarely take form into account. It is usually circumstances which lead to the winner and that could open the door for Niall Quinn.

The big Sunderland striker has played for 14 years in the green of Ireland and as yet he has not won the Player of the Year.

He did win the Young Player award but that was ten years ago and now that he is closing in on the end of his career the vote could be swayed towards the former Gaelic star.

Quinn has served Ireland well in his time and he deservedly equalled Frank Stapleton's goalscoring record for his country but now he is struggling in front of goal and it is only a matter of time before he makes way for fresher legs.

Roy Keane won the PFA Player and the Football Writers' of the Year in May and if there was any justice he would lift his second FAI international Player of the Year.

But Keane has another four or five years in the Irish team which will give him plenty of opportunities to take the honour again.

Mark Kinsella has settled into his role as midfield general alongside Keane.

Over the last couple of internationals the Charlton midfielder and captain has been hugely impressive but he too might have to wait for another time.