Paul Skinner (Longford Town) – The Longford stopper helped his side earn a 0-0 draw with Derry City — saving from Cillian Morrison early on before keeping out Anthony Elding and Mark Timlin.
Defence
Ross Gaynor (Cork City) - The Cork City left-back did not do anything spectacular but put in an assured performance to kill off any hint of a supply line from the Bohemians right-hand-side. Also covered well for his centre-backs, clearing the danger on a couple of occasions when the hosts counter-attacked from City set-pieces.
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Brian Gartland (Dundalk) – The central defender wasn’t troubled whatsoever at the back but two first half goals set him well on the way to matching last season’s tally of ten goals in all competitions.
Dane Massey (Dundalk) – Like Gartland, with little Bray threat to defend against, Massey was free to show off his attacking attributes in Dundalk’s big win. His headed goal was superb and he linked up really well with Daryl Horgan, showing some lovely touches.
Midfield
Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) - The youngster was a rare shining light from an otherwise dull night in Tallaght. His assist for Mikey Drennan’s goal may have been fortuitous, but he went on to show some lovely skill and awareness. He sought the ball throughout as he drifted in off the right flank, and he had the subdued crowd gasping when he rattled the crossbar with a slick right-footed shot just before the end.
Richie Towell (Dundalk) – Dundalk’s player of the campaign so far picked up where he left off in Cork after just two minutes with an exquisite volley to open the scoring against Bray. He was everywhere in midfield; too quick, too strong, too clever. He could very easily have had a first half hat-trick. The country’s best player at the moment.
Sander Puri (Sligo Rovers) – The Estonian international has been struggling for form since joining Sligo Rovers but was busy this evening as he created a host of chances for his team-mates, and made life very difficult for the visitors.
Darren Meenan (Dundalk) - With a set-piece delivery like no one else in the league, Meenan’s corners and free-kicks are weapons Dundalk’s opponents dread. Against Bray, four of his corners were met by headers that rippled the back of the net. The winger mixes consistent delivery with energy and pace on the right flank.
Forwards
Mikey Drennan (Shamrock Rovers) - The striker gambled at the back post for his goal, when the ball should have been cleared, and he had already threatened before he rippled the back of the net. His scoring record is certainly one of the biggest positives for Rovers right now.
Mark O’Sullivan (Cork City) — Took his goal brilliantly after being teed up by Liam Miller and was a real nuisance for the Bohs defence with his physicality.
Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) - Byrne was on fire for the Saints as he grabbed a brace to sink the Tribesmen. His first goal was a brilliantly taken strike into the bottom corner, before his second proved to be the goal of the night when he curled superbly into the top corner with 10 minutes to go.
Hoops, Dundalk and Cork all well-represented in our LOI Team of the Week
Updated at 21.30
Goalkeeper
Paul Skinner (Longford Town) – The Longford stopper helped his side earn a 0-0 draw with Derry City — saving from Cillian Morrison early on before keeping out Anthony Elding and Mark Timlin.
Defence
Ross Gaynor (Cork City) - The Cork City left-back did not do anything spectacular but put in an assured performance to kill off any hint of a supply line from the Bohemians right-hand-side. Also covered well for his centre-backs, clearing the danger on a couple of occasions when the hosts counter-attacked from City set-pieces.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk) – The central defender wasn’t troubled whatsoever at the back but two first half goals set him well on the way to matching last season’s tally of ten goals in all competitions.
Dane Massey (Dundalk) – Like Gartland, with little Bray threat to defend against, Massey was free to show off his attacking attributes in Dundalk’s big win. His headed goal was superb and he linked up really well with Daryl Horgan, showing some lovely touches.
Midfield
Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) - The youngster was a rare shining light from an otherwise dull night in Tallaght. His assist for Mikey Drennan’s goal may have been fortuitous, but he went on to show some lovely skill and awareness. He sought the ball throughout as he drifted in off the right flank, and he had the subdued crowd gasping when he rattled the crossbar with a slick right-footed shot just before the end.
Richie Towell (Dundalk) – Dundalk’s player of the campaign so far picked up where he left off in Cork after just two minutes with an exquisite volley to open the scoring against Bray. He was everywhere in midfield; too quick, too strong, too clever. He could very easily have had a first half hat-trick. The country’s best player at the moment.
Sander Puri (Sligo Rovers) – The Estonian international has been struggling for form since joining Sligo Rovers but was busy this evening as he created a host of chances for his team-mates, and made life very difficult for the visitors.
Darren Meenan (Dundalk) - With a set-piece delivery like no one else in the league, Meenan’s corners and free-kicks are weapons Dundalk’s opponents dread. Against Bray, four of his corners were met by headers that rippled the back of the net. The winger mixes consistent delivery with energy and pace on the right flank.
Forwards
Mikey Drennan (Shamrock Rovers) - The striker gambled at the back post for his goal, when the ball should have been cleared, and he had already threatened before he rippled the back of the net. His scoring record is certainly one of the biggest positives for Rovers right now.
Mark O’Sullivan (Cork City) — Took his goal brilliantly after being teed up by Liam Miller and was a real nuisance for the Bohs defence with his physicality.
Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) - Byrne was on fire for the Saints as he grabbed a brace to sink the Tribesmen. His first goal was a brilliantly taken strike into the bottom corner, before his second proved to be the goal of the night when he curled superbly into the top corner with 10 minutes to go.
Evans’ late volley denies Cork at Dalymount as Rebels lose further ground on Dundalk
Can anyone stop Dundalk? This weekend’s SSE Airtricity League talking points
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SSE Airtricity League Premier Division League of Ireland Stand-out performers Team of the Week