The veteran goalkeeper’s fine season continued at the Brandywell. Despite conceding an early opener to Derry City’s Philip Lowry, Delany played a crucial role as Bohs secured an important 2-1 away win. In the dying moments, he denied the Candystripes a share of the spoils by saving brilliantly from both Shane McEleney and Cillian Morrison.
Defenders
Sean Gannon (Dundalk)
He goes about his business with little fuss so Gannon’s efforts are often under-valued, but the Dundalk full-back is as reliable as they come. Friday in Cork was no different. Gannon never put a foot wrong defensively and was constantly an offensive option when the champions attacked.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk)
Dundalk defended excellently at Turner’s Cross and Gartland was at the heart of it. The champions may have had less possession than Cork City throughout the second-half but — led by Gartland at the back — they restricted the Leesiders to very few clear-cut chances and held on for a big victory.
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Shane Tracy (Limerick)
Despite not being at full fitness, Tracy was committed and contained Shamrock Rovers’ Sean O’Connor and Simon Madden well over the 90 minutes on Saturday. Playing with a sense of local pride, Tracy’s return to Limerick is one they badly needed and will be of great benefit to Martin Russell for the remainder of the season.
Brennan stood out for Rovers on a difficult evening at Jackman Park on Saturday. Worked tirelessly to get his team back in the game and was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. He went close on a couple of occasions and did have the ball in the net on the hour-mark, only to see his headed effort ruled out for offside.
Richie Towell (Dundalk)
In Richie Towell, Dundalk have the best player the League of Ireland has seen for quite a while. He took his tally for the season to nine with both goals as the champions moved five points clear at the top courtesy of Friday’s win in Cork. Going up against former internationals Colin Healy and Liam Miller was billed as the acid test of Towell’s abilities, but he passed it with flying colours. If Dundalk can keep him free from injuries and the hands of clubs in the UK, consecutive league titles will be theirs.
Chris Shields (Dundalk)
He’s an unsung hero in this Dundalk team but Chris Shields’ contribution is no less important than that of Richie Towell or Ronan Finn. Sitting in front of the back-four — Shields by name and by nature — he regularly broke up Cork City’s momentum and attacks in the middle of the park, and also showed a willingness to get forward whenever his side was in possession.
Mark Salmon (Longford Town)
The captain’s second-half brace in Drogheda on Friday ensured that Tony Cousins’ side brought all three points back to the City Calling Stadium. In a busy, box-to-box midfield performance, Salmon supported the attackers very well.
Shane Duggan (Limerick)
The definition of a captain’s performance. Not only did Duggan score Limerick’s vital goal against Shamrock Rovers, but he was pressing high, winning his challenges and launching counter-attacks at great speed. After a somewhat lacklustre year in 2014, Duggan is beginning to really look the part.
Tommy Dunne’s side ran riot at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday, and Curran’s three goals were instrumental in their 5-0 win. The striker opened the scoring with a couple of minutes on the clock, added another just before the break and completed his hat-trick on 54 minutes. Curran now has six for the season.
Aaron Greene (St Patrick’s Athletic)
From his wide attacking role, Greene was a constant threat to Sligo Rovers and deserved both of his goals. His first, a glancing header, showed he has the ability to do more than just run at defences, while his second was a cool finish from a tight angle. Having had an intermittent start to his St Pat’s career, Greene now looks like the player Liam Buckley thought he was signing.
Seven clubs are represented in our SSE Airtricity League team of the week
Updated at 20.15
Goalkeeper
Dean Delany (Bohemians)
The veteran goalkeeper’s fine season continued at the Brandywell. Despite conceding an early opener to Derry City’s Philip Lowry, Delany played a crucial role as Bohs secured an important 2-1 away win. In the dying moments, he denied the Candystripes a share of the spoils by saving brilliantly from both Shane McEleney and Cillian Morrison.
Defenders
Sean Gannon (Dundalk)
He goes about his business with little fuss so Gannon’s efforts are often under-valued, but the Dundalk full-back is as reliable as they come. Friday in Cork was no different. Gannon never put a foot wrong defensively and was constantly an offensive option when the champions attacked.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk)
Dundalk defended excellently at Turner’s Cross and Gartland was at the heart of it. The champions may have had less possession than Cork City throughout the second-half but — led by Gartland at the back — they restricted the Leesiders to very few clear-cut chances and held on for a big victory.
Shane Tracy (Limerick)
Despite not being at full fitness, Tracy was committed and contained Shamrock Rovers’ Sean O’Connor and Simon Madden well over the 90 minutes on Saturday. Playing with a sense of local pride, Tracy’s return to Limerick is one they badly needed and will be of great benefit to Martin Russell for the remainder of the season.
Midfielders
Ryan Brennan (Shamrock Rovers)
Brennan stood out for Rovers on a difficult evening at Jackman Park on Saturday. Worked tirelessly to get his team back in the game and was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. He went close on a couple of occasions and did have the ball in the net on the hour-mark, only to see his headed effort ruled out for offside.
Richie Towell (Dundalk)
In Richie Towell, Dundalk have the best player the League of Ireland has seen for quite a while. He took his tally for the season to nine with both goals as the champions moved five points clear at the top courtesy of Friday’s win in Cork. Going up against former internationals Colin Healy and Liam Miller was billed as the acid test of Towell’s abilities, but he passed it with flying colours. If Dundalk can keep him free from injuries and the hands of clubs in the UK, consecutive league titles will be theirs.
Chris Shields (Dundalk)
He’s an unsung hero in this Dundalk team but Chris Shields’ contribution is no less important than that of Richie Towell or Ronan Finn. Sitting in front of the back-four — Shields by name and by nature — he regularly broke up Cork City’s momentum and attacks in the middle of the park, and also showed a willingness to get forward whenever his side was in possession.
Mark Salmon (Longford Town)
The captain’s second-half brace in Drogheda on Friday ensured that Tony Cousins’ side brought all three points back to the City Calling Stadium. In a busy, box-to-box midfield performance, Salmon supported the attackers very well.
Shane Duggan (Limerick)
The definition of a captain’s performance. Not only did Duggan score Limerick’s vital goal against Shamrock Rovers, but he was pressing high, winning his challenges and launching counter-attacks at great speed. After a somewhat lacklustre year in 2014, Duggan is beginning to really look the part.
Forwards
Enda Curran (Galway United)
Tommy Dunne’s side ran riot at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday, and Curran’s three goals were instrumental in their 5-0 win. The striker opened the scoring with a couple of minutes on the clock, added another just before the break and completed his hat-trick on 54 minutes. Curran now has six for the season.
Aaron Greene (St Patrick’s Athletic)
From his wide attacking role, Greene was a constant threat to Sligo Rovers and deserved both of his goals. His first, a glancing header, showed he has the ability to do more than just run at defences, while his second was a cool finish from a tight angle. Having had an intermittent start to his St Pat’s career, Greene now looks like the player Liam Buckley thought he was signing.
Originally published at 15.46
Dundalk playing like champions, Hoops frustrated and the weekend’s LOI talking points
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