Limerick’s Forde scoops top award at Wolves

BALLINGARY rising star Anthony Forde has been honoured as the Academy player of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 18 year old west Limerick man made his Premier League debut last November when then manager Mick McCarthy handed the midfielder his first league appearance for the final 15-minutes of their encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

While Wolves finished the year in the relegation places and will play in the Championship next year season it was a year of progress for Forde.

In total he made three starts and three subsitute appearances for Wolves.

His impressive displays for the senior side at Molyneaux and for the reserves earned Forde the Academy player of the season award.

To top off his week, the Limerick man was this Tuesday confirmed in Paul Doolin’s U-19 squad that will represent the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Championship Elite Phase Qualification tournament next week.

Ireland will face group hosts, Portugal followed by Ukraine and will finish up facing Israel.

Forde was also part of the Irish U-19 squad last year when he was the youngest member of the panel.