A Dundalk player has scooped the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award for the third consecutive month of the season.
For the second year in-a-row Daryl Horgan is the May winner after picking up his award at an event in the Davenport Hotel in Dublin today.
The 22-year-old was the champions’ outstanding figure in a month that saw them win all four league games. The winger began and ended May by scoring a brace of goals – against Bray first, then St Pat’s – and also scored against Longford.
“I’m delighted with the award. It just goes to show how well we are doing as a team,” said Horgan.
“We did really well in May and we only conceded one goal along the way. It has been tough for us because I think teams step it up a notch playing against the defending champions.
“I’m in the form of my life right now but it’s easier when you have so many good players around you.”
Horgan was also quick to praise Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny.
“Stephen has been excellent with me. He has really helped with my development as a player,” he explained.
“The way he has us playing really suits me too. We play attacking football and that is the way I like to play.”
Dundalk were handed a huge test when they were drawn against BATE Borisov of Belarus in the Champions League second qualifying round yesterday.
The winger knows the odds are stacked against Kenny’s side.
“It’s not the easiest of draws but if we can go over there and getting something and bring them back to Oriel Park then we have a chance,” Horgan insisted.
“We’re under no illusions – we know how tough it is going to be but anything can happen. They are a great side who have played in some big Europeans games but we’ve got a chance.”
In winning the award, Horgan fended off competition from Shamrock Rovers’ Brandon Miele who finished second. Cork City winger Billy Dennehy was third.
David McMillan had won the award in March, followed by Richie Towell in April.
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