Louise Quinn says she's "thrilled" to have been named the Republic of Ireland women's senior player of the year.

It's the second time that the 79-times capped defender has won the award, edging out Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan in the vote.

"It's just incredible," the Wicklow native told FAI TV. "I’m really, really surprised to get that. I think we’ve had such an incredible year with such changes and the players coming up and stepping up to the plate, so to get the award is something truly special."

"Just to wear the jersey is something that I love to do every time that we get to step onto that pitch. I'm extremely proud of it.

"Then there is the likes of Katie and Denise, I’m their biggest fan so for them not to win is a travesty as well. But I’m thrilled, even though it’s always a team effort.

Ireland remain well placed to qualify for the European Championships, with Vera Pauw's side in contention to reach their first major finals

"It's just building on that and tidying things up defensively. We had a really good game against Ukraine and yes Germany is daunting but we have to take it in our stride.

"We’ve put ourselves in the best position and it feels great, so we want to keep that feeling going."

Quinn recently left Arsenal after three seasons to move to Fiorentina and the 29-year-old says she's settling in well in Italy.

"The team have been really, really welcoming, it's such an open club and they have big aspirations.

"They were the first club to try and go professional in Italy, knowing that they have those goals, it was spot on for me to come here then."