Ireland’s favourite adopted son.
The JOE Men of the Year awards are just around the corner and aside from all of the other incredible categories and talented nominees, only one man-tastic man can walk away with the title of JOE Man of the Year 2015.
Each JOE writer will be making a case for Paul O’Connell, Rory O’Neill (Panti Bliss), Hozier, Shane Long and Jon Walters but Colm Boohig wants you to vote for Jon Walters. Here’s why…
1) Describe his year using 5 emojis
2) Why he must be JOE Man of the Year
A late arrival to the JOE MOTY shortlist, there’s a very simple reason that Jon Walters has been added to this list of nominees; without him, Ireland wouldn’t be going to the Euros next summer.
His penalty and volley against Bosnia in the second leg of the play-off in Dublin proved to be decisive.
Combine that with crucial goals scored against Georgia and Scotland, at a time when reaching the play-offs looked far less assured, and you then realise how important the Stoke City striker was to Martin O’Neill’s men.
Clip via Football Goals
Walters was the most consistent performer throughout a rollercoaster campaign and, while other players faltered on certain occasions, the Merseysider was always excellent, whether he played on the right wing, or straight through the middle.
Despite being one of the more accomplished players in the squad, he was always willing to do a job wherever required and his passion for the cause was never in doubt.
There is so much Walters-love that he causes Irish dad’s to do this…
… while another punter took the more permanent method of Walters worshiping.
@JonWalters19 am so yeah celebrations in Ireland went a bit ott enjoy being on my arse ? pic.twitter.com/7agj5guEpk
— Nathan O Donnell (@DonnellNathan) November 17, 2015
Above all else, we love him for being a stand up guy, who gives everything for the cause, and we’re delighted that he’s going to be on our side come Euro 2016.
So, for these reasons be sure to get behind the legend that is Jon Walters and crown him JOE Man of the Year.
3) His stand-out moment
It’s actually hard to pick just one, such has been the amount of joy that Walters has given to Ireland this past year.
We’re going to go for this one though, the post-match play-off interview with RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue.
First of all, the reaction of the crowd just before Walters starts speaking causes genuine goosebumps and the raw emotion of the man himself when he starts talking about his family is enough to give the hardiest of chaps a little lump in the throat.
The cutbacks to the rest of the squad losing their collective sh*ts in celebration sums up the happiness that this legend has gifted to Ireland.
Have another watch and get the tissues ready.
Clip via IrishSoccerTeamNews
4) What 2016 might bring
The Euro 2016 championship, baby, that’s what it will be bring!
But seriously, he was the hero of our qualifying campaign and if anybody can make a real impact over in France next year then it’s our favourite adopted son.
To put it simply, he has the balls and the ability to score against anybody and if he’s on form you never know how far we could go in 2016.
COYBIG.
Cast your vote for the JOE Man of the Year sponsored by Virgin Media here and on the rest of the JOE Men of the Year categories here.
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