Shelbourne's Emily Whelan named the first under-17 Women's National League Player of the Year

Shelbourne striker Emily Whelan has been named under-17 Women’s National League Player of the Year.

The 16-year-old, who made her senior international debut in the October friendly with Poland, was presented with the honour at the annual Continental Tyres Women’s National League awards in Ballsbridge, Dublin on Friday night.

The Reds became the first winners of the under-17 league in October with a 2-0 win over Galway in the final, with Whelan and Ellie Ferguson on the scoresheet.

Whelan beat Galway’s Shauna Brennan and Limerick’s Aoife Horgan to the gong as the inaugural season of the underage league drew to a close.

Wexford Youths striker Rianna Jarrett was named senior Player of the Year, while UCD Waves keeper Erica Turner was named Young Player of the Year.