Horgan named Player of the Month for May

Daryl Horgan pictured with his award in Dublin today

Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan was this morning unveiled as the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland’s Player of the Month for May.

The former Cork City ace has been in superb form of late and had scored five goals in as many matches up until the club’s last outing against St Patrick’s Athletic, with four of those strikes coming in May.

He pipped team-mate Chris Shields to the award as well as Limerick FC’s Danny Galbraith, Gary McCabe of Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic duo Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan.

He is the first Dundalk player to win the award this season although team-mates Pat Hoban and Richie Towell were winners last year.

Horgan will be part of Stephen Kenny’s plans for tomorrow night’s trip to the Brandywell to face Derry City and for Tuesday’s Europa League clash against AS Jeunesse Esch in Luxembourg.

Two Dundalk players nominated for Player of the Month

Two Dundalk FC players have been nominated for the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award for May.

In a month in which Stephen Kenny’s side won all five league matches, Chris Shields and Daryl Horgan have been singled out by the soccer writers for particular praise.

Shields has been a crucial part of the side so far this season and was man of the match in the recent 7-0 victory over Drogheda United. His role has not gone unnoticed as Dundalk went through the month only conceding once in the league.

Meanwhile, Daryl Horgan is on a superb run of form that has seen him scoring in each of the club’s last four games.

Also nominated for the award are Limerick FC’s Danny Galbraith, Gary McCabe of Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic duo Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan.

Last season both Pat Hoban and Richie Towell won the award.

Towell double puts Dundalk in driving seat for Setanta Cup final place

Dundalk took a huge step towards claiming a spot in this season’s Setanta Cup final after taking a 2-1 lead away from Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers last night.

Two first half penalties from Richie Towell put the Lilywhites in the driving seat and while Eamon Zayed’s late goal ensured that the tie is still very much alive, Dundalk can be pleased with the win, which came just two days after their victory over Sligo Rovers in the league on Saturday night.

The breakthrough came in the 11^th minute, with Towell slotting home a penalty after John Mountney had been upended by Rovers goalkeeper Craig Hyland, who was perhaps fortunate not to be sent-off for his challenge.

Mountney then won his side a second penalty just after the half hour mark when he was taken down by Rovers captain Conor Kenna. Once again Towell dispatched the spot kick to leave Dundalk seemingly cruising.

Stephen Kenny’s side had chances to add to that advantage in the second half with David McMillan, Dane Massey and Patrick Hoban all going close.

However, as they tired late on Rovers clinched what could prove a crucial goal as Zayed turned in a cross from Gary McCabe to leave the game very much in the balance ahead of the second leg at Oriel Park in a couple of weeks time.

Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Robert Cornwall, Conor Kenna, Luke Byrne; Dean Kelly (Ronan Finn h/t), Shane Robinson (Ryan Brennan 83), Robert Bayly, Sean O’Connor; Karl Sheppard (Gary McCabe 58), Eamon Zayed.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; John Mountney (Darren Meenan 80), Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell (Ruaidhri Higgins 52), Kurtis Byrne; David McMillan (Patrick Hoban 67).

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).