Horgan makes it a Dundalk hat-trick by collecting Player of the Month award for May

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.

Dundalk’s David McMillan named Player of the Month for March

Dundalk striker David McMillan has been named the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month for March.

The 25-year-old overcame doubts over whether he could fill the void left by Pat Hoban’s departure by scoring four goals throughout the month to send the Lilywhites soaring to the top of the table. This is the second time McMillan has won the monthly prize, having previously scooped it in May 2010 when he played with UCD.

McMillan seen off competition from his colleagues Daryl Horgan and Gary Rogers for the award, with the pair finishing second and third respectively. Also nominated were Cork City pair Alan Bennett and Mark McNulty, Shamrock Rovers’ Keith Fahey and Adam Evans of Bohemians.

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Dundalk quartet shortlisted for awards as Crawley is named Press Officer of the Year

Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny and players Richie Towell and Pat Hoban have all been shortlisted for the 2014 SSE Airtricity / Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland’s Personality of the Year award.

The prestigious awards will be presented at the SSE Airtricity / SWAI Annual Banquet in Dublin’s Conrad Hotel on Friday January 9th 2015 with the trio up against St Patrick’s Athletic manager Liam Buckley (last year’s winner), Cork City boss John Caulfield and Pat’s striker Christy Fagan.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Peter Cherrie – who has since departed Oriel Park – has been shortlisted once again for the Goalkeeper of the Year award. He will be up against last year’s winner, Brendan Clarke of St Pat’s, and Cork City’s Mark McNulty.

The last Dundalk player or manager to win the Personality of the Year award was Peter Hanrahan in 1991 while no Lilywhites goalkeeper has ever won the Goalkeeper of the Year prize.

Dundalk have already scooped one award though with the club’s Media Officer Darren Crawley being named in the SSE Airtricity / SWAI Press Officer of the Year last night.

Dundalk striker Hoban turns down trial with Kilmarnock

Pat Hoban with his SSE Airtricity / SWAI Player of the Month Award for October

Dundalk FC striker Pat Hoban has turned down the chance to go on trial with Scottish Premier Division side Kilmarnock.

The 23-year-old, who finished last season as the league’s joint-top goalscorer with Christy Fagan, refused the invite from the Rugby Park side after insisting that he had proved himself enough over the past two seasons with the Lilywhites not to have to audition for a contract at the East Ayrshire club.

“I don’t see why I should have to go on trial,” Hoban is quoted as saying by the Irish Independent.

“I have proved myself in two years in the league.

“For some reason the league doesn’t get enough credit – I don’t know why as we have done very well in Europe this year and I think the standard is quite high.

“I would go on trial obviously if it was a Championship or Premier League club. Who would refuse that? But when it is League One, League Two, SPL, no disrespect but I don’t see why I should have to go on trial if they had done their homework.

“I think we would beat most teams in League One in England and most teams in the SPL as well, so we should be getting a lot more credit than we are at the moment.”

The striker, named the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month winner for October yesterday, said he had the option to remain at Oriel Park but admitted he was not going to rush the decision.

“Stephen (Kenny) is not putting that much pressure on me. Obviously he wants me to stay but it has to be the right move for me at the end of the day as I’m not getting any younger.”

Huge blow for Dundalk as McMillan is ruled out for remainder of the campaign

Dundalk’s bid for a first league title since 1995 suffered a massive setback yesterday evening after striker David McMillan was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

The 25-year-old limped out of Friday night’s 2-0 victory away to UCD just minutes after coming off the bench, with an MRI scan yesterday confirming ankle ligament damage that will require surgery to repair.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com last night, McMillan said: “Obviously I am very disappointed with the news. My season is over and it’s disappointing. I went for an MRI scan yesterday and was just waiting for the result. I was hoping it was just a sprain but I have torn ligaments in my ankle.

“I have surgery tomorrow to fix things there and will be in a cast for the next 6 weeks so we will see what happens then.”

The former UCD and Sligo Rovers man had scored 15 goals this season, including seven in the league and was the runner-up for the SWAI/SSE Airtricity Player of the Month award for August.

Dundalk midfielder Towell scoops Player of the Month award for July

Dundalk’s Richie Towell who was presented with the SSE Airtricity / SWAI Player of the Month award for July.

Dundalk FC midfielder Richie Towell has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for July.

The former Celtic ace wins the award for the second time having scooped the prize last August also.

He picked up the award at a ceremony in the Davenport Hotel this morning, where he spoke to the media ahead of his side’s clash with Limerick FC in Oriel Park tomorrow.

Towell was the driving force behind the Lilywhites’ magnificent July run that saw them win six out of seven games. As well as scoring a brace away to Jeunesse Esch in the Europa League, he also scored the opener in the 5-1 league win against Bray.

The Dundalk star admits it was an honour to top the voting among SWAI members.

“To win the award for a second time is a great honour,” said Towell.

“It’s a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in. I’ve been on a decent goal scoring run which is nice, it’s something I try to do. I’ve got 13 for the season so far and I’m in flying form.”

Dundalk are four points clear at the top of the table, but after a disappointing draw against rivals Drogheda United last week, they are keen to get back to winning ways against Limerick on Friday.

“We were disappointed with the draw against Drogheda but we are still four points clear and we have the belief in the squad that we can bounce back,” explained Towell.

“We have bounced back before. We are fully focused on getting a good result against Limerick now.”

Towell began his career at Celtic before signing for Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk in 2012 and admits the Lilywhites boss has been a huge reason behind his good form.

“Stephen Kenny has been absolutely brilliant for me,” added Towell.

“When I got back from Celtic I was thinking ‘have I failed?’ and my confidence was low. But he has built me back up and has taken the shackles off me this season.

“I am really enjoying it. He is a joy to play for and I know the lads think the same.”

In winning the award, Towell fended off competition from team-mate Kurtis Byrne who finished second. Derry City’s Michael Duffy was third.

Towell is the second Dundalk player to win the Player of the Month award this season after Daryl Horgan scooped the prize in May.

McConville charity match organised in aid of North Louth Hospice

Tommy McConville RIP

A charity football match in memory of the late Tommy McConville will be played on St Valentine’s Day, Friday February 14^th, in Oriel Park.

The McConville family, who collected a special merit award on their father’s behalf at last Friday night’s SWAI awards in Dublin, have announced that all proceeds raised from the event will go towards the North Louth Hospice.

The family praised the hospice staff for the “very special and loving” care they showed their father during his illness last year and are using the game to express their gratitude.

Further details on the match will be revealed closer to the date.

Tommy, a legend on the Irish football scene and in Dundalk, passed away last October following an illness.

McConville honoured by Soccer Writers

Tommy McConville RIP

Dundalk legend Tommy McConville was posthumously honoured by the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland at their annual awards in Dublin on Friday.

McConville, who passed away in October following illness, received a special merit award on the night for his contribution to Irish football and support of the event over the years.

Tommy’s close friend Dermot Keely made a speech in his honour on the night while the award was collected on his half by his only son, Thomas. The remainder of the McConville family were in attendance on the night.

Meanwhile, former Argus editor Jim Smyth was honored for his contribution to journalism in a special presentation made by his close friend and former colleague, Kevin Mulligan.

There was no such luck on the night for Dundalk FC, with St Patrick’s Athletic manager Liam Buckley pipping Stephen Kenny and Richie Towell to the Personality of the Year award and Brendan Clarke beating Peter Cherrie to the Goalkeeper of the Year prize.

Dundalk trio in running for SWAI awards tonight

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny and midfielder Richie Towell will battle it out tonight for the Airtricity/SWAI Personality of the Year award.

The coveted prize will be awarded at the annual Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland awards banquet in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin.

The pair were pivotal to Dundalk’s best season in years and will go head to head with Roddy Collins, Liam Buckley, Killian Brennan and Anthony Flood for the prize.

The last time a current Dundalk player won the award was in 1991 when Peter Hanrahan scooped the award. Terry Eviston also won the award in 1988.

Other previous winners from Dundalk include the late Tommy McConville (1982) and Jim McLaughlin (1979).

Meanwhile, Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie has also been nominated for the Airtricity/SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year award. He will be up against Gary Rogers of Sligo Rovers and Brendan Clarke of St Patrick’s Athletic.

Dundalk trio shortlisted for SWAI awards

Richie Towell was the Airtricity / SWAI Player of the Month for August

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny and midfielder Richie Towell have both been nominated for the Airtricity/SWAI Personality of the Year award.

The coveted prize will be awarded at the annual Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland awards banquet in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin on January 10^th.

The pair were pivotal to Dundalk’s best season in years and will go head to head with Roddy Collins, Liam Buckey, Killian Brennan and Anthony Flood for the prize.

The last time a current Dundalk player won the award was in 1991 when Peter Hanrahan scooped the award. Terry Eviston also scooped the award in 1988.

Other previous winners from Dundalk include the late Tommy McConville (1982) and Jim McLaughlin (1979).

Meanwhile, Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie has also been nominated for the Airtricity/SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year award. He will be up against Gary Rogers of Sligo Rovers and Brendan Clarke of St Patrick’s Athletic.

The shortlist was unveiled at last night’s SWAI Christmas drinks in Dublin at which Dundalk’s Darren Crawley missed out on the Press Officer of the Year award to St Patrick’s Athletic’s Colman Hanley.

The club also missed out on the Club Website of the Year prize to Limerick FC, which had significant input from former Lilywhites PRO Keith Wallace.