Paul Skinner (Longford Town) – Guessed right to keep out Rory Patterson’s penalty and also made good saves from Keith Ward’s free-kick and Barry McNamee’s late chance.
Defence
Patrick McClean (Derry City) – His wonder-goal alone – his first for the club – would warrant a nomination for Team of the Week but the 19-year-old defender was assured on the ball and after his confident performance at the City Calling Stadium, he could force his way into the starting line-up for Tuesday night’s EA Sports Cup clash with Sligo.
Keith Cowan (Finn Harps) – One place where Finn Harps are strong is at the back and certainly against the high ball. The Harps rearguard held firm and Richard Brush, the hosts’ goalkeeper, never had anything out of the ordinary to deal with. That was thanks mainly to strong performances of those in front of him, notably Keith Cowan.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk) - An assured performance at the back and the Lilywhites centre-half also won the penalty that resulted in Ronan Finn’s winning goal when he was dragged to the ground by Mick Leahy.
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Midfield
Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) - The Tallaght man’s star continues to rise as he netted twice with his neat second goal the decisive moment of the game as it sucker-punched Bohs.
Stephen O’Donnell (Dundalk) – On a night that Dundalk were far from their best, it was perhaps unsurprising that their captain was among the better performers on the night. While the flair players struggled to find their rhythm on a rare off night, O’Donnell did the basics well and competed well in a bruising midfield tussle with Sligo skipper Craig Roddan.
Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers) – The midfielder’s opener on the stroke of half-time freed up the game for Rovers and created spaces that he himself took full advantage of after the resumption with his incisive passing ultimately taking its toll on Bohs.
Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) - Two goals and one assist for Byrne, a constant threat in the St Pat’s attack. He struck a smashing volley into the Wexford net for his first goal.
Gary Shanahan (Galway United) - The 23-year-old winger is coming of age in this Galway United team, and where last season he lacked the end product, he has it in abundance this term. His lob of Mark McNulty was nothing short of sensational.
Forwards
Dave Scully (Finn Harps) – Dave Scully has certainly bought into what Finn Harps are about since joining the club and on Friday, as well as scoring the only goal of the game against his former club, he went through a mountain of work to maintain his side’s steady start to life back in the top flight.
David O’Sullivan (Longford) – The Longford striker got his side off the mark with a clinical header. His work rate was superb throughout and he kept pressure on the Derry defence, leading from the front as his teammates soaked up pressure in the second half.
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James McClean's brother makes our LOI Team of the Week after his wonder-strike
Goalkeeper
Paul Skinner (Longford Town) – Guessed right to keep out Rory Patterson’s penalty and also made good saves from Keith Ward’s free-kick and Barry McNamee’s late chance.
Defence
Patrick McClean (Derry City) – His wonder-goal alone – his first for the club – would warrant a nomination for Team of the Week but the 19-year-old defender was assured on the ball and after his confident performance at the City Calling Stadium, he could force his way into the starting line-up for Tuesday night’s EA Sports Cup clash with Sligo.
Keith Cowan (Finn Harps) – One place where Finn Harps are strong is at the back and certainly against the high ball. The Harps rearguard held firm and Richard Brush, the hosts’ goalkeeper, never had anything out of the ordinary to deal with. That was thanks mainly to strong performances of those in front of him, notably Keith Cowan.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk) - An assured performance at the back and the Lilywhites centre-half also won the penalty that resulted in Ronan Finn’s winning goal when he was dragged to the ground by Mick Leahy.
Midfield
Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) - The Tallaght man’s star continues to rise as he netted twice with his neat second goal the decisive moment of the game as it sucker-punched Bohs.
Stephen O’Donnell (Dundalk) – On a night that Dundalk were far from their best, it was perhaps unsurprising that their captain was among the better performers on the night. While the flair players struggled to find their rhythm on a rare off night, O’Donnell did the basics well and competed well in a bruising midfield tussle with Sligo skipper Craig Roddan.
Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers) – The midfielder’s opener on the stroke of half-time freed up the game for Rovers and created spaces that he himself took full advantage of after the resumption with his incisive passing ultimately taking its toll on Bohs.
Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) - Two goals and one assist for Byrne, a constant threat in the St Pat’s attack. He struck a smashing volley into the Wexford net for his first goal.
Gary Shanahan (Galway United) - The 23-year-old winger is coming of age in this Galway United team, and where last season he lacked the end product, he has it in abundance this term. His lob of Mark McNulty was nothing short of sensational.
Forwards
Dave Scully (Finn Harps) – Dave Scully has certainly bought into what Finn Harps are about since joining the club and on Friday, as well as scoring the only goal of the game against his former club, he went through a mountain of work to maintain his side’s steady start to life back in the top flight.
David O’Sullivan (Longford) – The Longford striker got his side off the mark with a clinical header. His work rate was superb throughout and he kept pressure on the Derry defence, leading from the front as his teammates soaked up pressure in the second half.
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Former League of Ireland star Eamon Zayed living the American dream after dramatic brace
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SSE Airtricity League Premier Division League of Ireland LOI Star Performers Team of the Week