After yet another exciting round of League of Ireland action, it’s time to see which players performed well enough to receive the prestigious honour of being named in The Football Faithful LOI Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper
Gary Rogers (Dundalk)
Mr.Consistent for the Champions and yet another clean sheet – the only keeper to keep a clean sheet on Friday evening which is impressive in itself, seeing as there were 14 goals between the three games played! Class act.
Right Back
Simon Madden (St. Pats)
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Well, it was more like 95 minutes than an hour but what a valuable equaliser that could be.
Cork City must have thought all three points were coming back to Turners cross, but Madden was in the right place at the right time to hammer the ball past Mark McNulty and send Richmond Park wild.
Simon Madden equalises for St Pat's in the 95th minute! pic.twitter.com/TXxwTrKrt7
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) May 31, 2019
Left Back
Daniel O’Reilly (Finn Harps)
Yes, his side did concede five, but put in such an honest shift and arguably hit the goal of the game in a 5-3 defeat to Bohs. A longe range thunderbolt in off the far post, giving one of the best keepers in the league no chance in the process.
Also heavily involved in his side getting back to 1-1, winning his back post header that came off the crossbar and to the feet of Niall Logue to slot home.
All the goals from Dalymount as Bohs defeated Finn Harps #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/XAicXU8w13
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) May 31, 2019
Conor McCarthy (Cork City)
Outstanding performance at the back and will be devastated his side only managed a point having held the lead for so long against St. Pat’s.
Defended incredibly throughout, always seemed to get a foot or body part in the way to stop efforts on goal.
Conor McCarthy was baffled by the extra injury time added by the ref but he says Cork have no excuses for coughing up the leveller at Richmond Park #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/zzCWvet1hj
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) May 31, 2019
Centre Back
Sean McLoughlin (Cork City)
Formidable partnership with McCarthy at the heart of the defence and won’t concede many this season if they keep up performances like this as they chase the European spots. Gave keeper Mark McNulty a relatively easy night until the equaliser.
Midfield
Scott Allardice (Bohemians)
Making the team of the week for not just tonight’s performance but an impressive week overall. Star man against Cork City as Bohs progressed to the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup in a dominating performance, and was applauded off again on Friday for his efforts in midfield.
Has found minutes hard to come by with the serious competition for midfield places in the Bohs eleven (Keith Buckley, Conor Levingston & Robbie McCourt) but has now given Keith Long a potential headache ahead of the Dublin Derby.
"You need to come into training and work your absolute balls off."@bfcdublin man Scott Allardice talked to @dubsoulrebel about the work that has kept Keith Long's side at the right end of the table #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld
Full interview ???? https://t.co/w0rnpAcciE pic.twitter.com/4kjLW1AvC9
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) May 31, 2019
Midfield
John Mountney (Dundalk)
A superb hat trick from midfield as The Lilywhites ran out 4-0 winners over an impressive Sligo Rovers side. Took his goals extremely well and put the pressure back on Shamrock Rovers in the title race.
???? “It’s my first senior hat-trick; probably my first since under-10s or something. Of course it’s nice to get it but, once we’re winning, the individual side doesn’t matter so much" – John Mountney
???? https://t.co/YZ6wytaBMF pic.twitter.com/PriOjzLVkx
— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) June 2, 2019
Midfield
Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians)
The best player on the park yet again, almost seemed too easy at times for the attacker who really enjoyed himself.
Got on the scoresheet with a 30-yard free kick that seemed to wrong-foot Peter Burke but thoroughly deserved for his night’s work.
Right Wing
Karl Sheppard (Cork City)
Scored what looked like the winner away at St. Pats in front of the TV cameras but only to receive heartbreak in the 95th minute.
Seems to be enjoying his football lately, playing with a bit more freedom and still a pivotal player for the Leesiders.
Left Wing
Michael Duffy (Dundalk)
A bit predictable perhaps, but he is just that good. Set up the third with a superb left-wing cross and could have gotten on the scoresheet himself if it wasn’t for some brave and resolute defending.
All the goals from Oriel Park as league leaders Dundalk hammered Sligo #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/457xeMowq6
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) May 31, 2019
Forward
Ryan Swan (Bohemians)
A potential career-ending knee injury last year and with being the son of a local legend hanging over him, but now a man in his own right amongst the Gypsie faithful.
First two goals for the club, the second a brilliantly taken lob, as he looks to fill the void left by Dinny Corcoran. Quickly becoming a fan favourite around Phibsboro.
????????????
It may have taken some time but @bfcdublin striker Ryan Swan is delighted to get the ???? off his back!
➡️ https://t.co/xt9Izd7sMu #LOI pic.twitter.com/pBI0Ta53wN
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 1, 2019
Check out our Podcast on the best ever Irish Premier League XI.
