The Seagulls’ keeper played a key role in helping his side to record their biggest win of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday. McGuinness made several important saves, including an excellent 11th-minute full-stretch dive to keep Killian Brennan’s free-kick out.
Defenders
Stephen Walsh (Galway United)
Walsh has arguably been Galway United’s most consistent player this season and was a rock at centre-half again against Bohemians alongside skipper Paul Sinnott. Walsh’s tackling, awareness and composure were all top-notch and he was unlucky not to score.
Andy Boyle (Dundalk)
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Without his centre-half partner Brian Gartland beside him, the Dundalk skipper had to help Paddy Barratt into the defence and with the Premier Division rookie struggling, Boyle needed to be at his calm and commanding best against Derry City on Friday.
Advertisement
Maxime Blanchard (Shamrock Rovers)
Admittedly, the French defender could have cost his team two goals on another day but for poor finishing and the referee’s decision to wave away a decent penalty shout. But as it turned out, Blanchard proved the match-winner with a second-half double.
The Hoops winger was introduced with half-an-hour remaining and the score level at 1-1. That change injected some life into the lethargic Rovers players and Waters’ pin-point deliveries created both of Blanchard’s goals.
John Mountney (Dundalk)
A second goalscoring cameo in the space of a week for Mountney will further his claims for a regular starting spot, but with Daryl Horgan and Darren Meenan ahead of him, he may have to wait. Still, he’s another option in midfield with a knack for scoring key goals.
Steven Beattie (Sligo Rovers)
The midfielder played his heart out against Drogheda and came very close to scoring a goal himself. The standing ovation Beattie received when substituted was well deserved.
Another lively performance from McGlynn and he played a vital role in the defeat of Pat’s. He scored the only goal of the game in the 74th minute but came close in the first-half as well, only for his shot to be diverted over the crossbar by Sean Hoare.
Forwards
Karl Sheppard (Cork City)
Sheppard struck the only goal of a very dull Munster derby against Limerick at Jackman Park to notch his fourth goal in three league games. His movement off the ball gave City an outlet throughout and he always looked a danger when in possession.
Padraic Cunningham (Galway United)
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
The youngster from Headford was outstanding against Bohemians, scoring one goal and creating another for Ryan Connolly. Cunningham proved a real thorn in Bohs’ side and his star is quickly rising.
Dinny Corcoran (Sligo Rovers)
Corcoran has struggled to find form so far this season but he’ll have gained plenty of confidence from the two good goals he scored in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Drogheda United.
6 clubs are represented in our SSE Airtricity League Team of the Week
Goalkeeper
Stephen McGuinness (Bray Wanderers)
The Seagulls’ keeper played a key role in helping his side to record their biggest win of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday. McGuinness made several important saves, including an excellent 11th-minute full-stretch dive to keep Killian Brennan’s free-kick out.
Defenders
Stephen Walsh (Galway United)
Walsh has arguably been Galway United’s most consistent player this season and was a rock at centre-half again against Bohemians alongside skipper Paul Sinnott. Walsh’s tackling, awareness and composure were all top-notch and he was unlucky not to score.
Andy Boyle (Dundalk)
Without his centre-half partner Brian Gartland beside him, the Dundalk skipper had to help Paddy Barratt into the defence and with the Premier Division rookie struggling, Boyle needed to be at his calm and commanding best against Derry City on Friday.
Maxime Blanchard (Shamrock Rovers)
Admittedly, the French defender could have cost his team two goals on another day but for poor finishing and the referee’s decision to wave away a decent penalty shout. But as it turned out, Blanchard proved the match-winner with a second-half double.
Midfielders
Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters (Shamrock Rovers)
The Hoops winger was introduced with half-an-hour remaining and the score level at 1-1. That change injected some life into the lethargic Rovers players and Waters’ pin-point deliveries created both of Blanchard’s goals.
John Mountney (Dundalk)
A second goalscoring cameo in the space of a week for Mountney will further his claims for a regular starting spot, but with Daryl Horgan and Darren Meenan ahead of him, he may have to wait. Still, he’s another option in midfield with a knack for scoring key goals.
Steven Beattie (Sligo Rovers)
The midfielder played his heart out against Drogheda and came very close to scoring a goal himself. The standing ovation Beattie received when substituted was well deserved.
Peter McGlynn (Bray Wanderers)
Another lively performance from McGlynn and he played a vital role in the defeat of Pat’s. He scored the only goal of the game in the 74th minute but came close in the first-half as well, only for his shot to be diverted over the crossbar by Sean Hoare.
Forwards
Karl Sheppard (Cork City)
Sheppard struck the only goal of a very dull Munster derby against Limerick at Jackman Park to notch his fourth goal in three league games. His movement off the ball gave City an outlet throughout and he always looked a danger when in possession.
Padraic Cunningham (Galway United)
The youngster from Headford was outstanding against Bohemians, scoring one goal and creating another for Ryan Connolly. Cunningham proved a real thorn in Bohs’ side and his star is quickly rising.
Dinny Corcoran (Sligo Rovers)
Corcoran has struggled to find form so far this season but he’ll have gained plenty of confidence from the two good goals he scored in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Drogheda United.
Originally published Monday at 9.30am
‘Bizarre’ refereeing, unlucky 13 for Pat’s and more SSE Airtricity League talking points
It took 110 minutes and a fair whack of drama to decide today’s FAI Junior Cup final
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division League of Ireland LOI Soccer Star Performers