AS ANOTHER LEAGUE of Ireland season comes to an end, we’ve asked our contributors to nominate a player of the season for the team they’ve followed. Their choices are below…
Dundalk — Daryl Horgan
It will come as a surprise to no one that Daryl Horgan earns the accolade as our Dundalk player of this most remarkable season. It’s been a standout campaign for him — one which has ended with a third league medal for the diminutive winger from Salthill. The clamour for him to be selected in a Republic of Ireland senior squad is huge and fully warranted on his performances domestically and in Europe.
Throughout the league campaign, Horgan has been electric. He has become the Lilywhites’ go-to-man, their catalyst. Rarely has he disappointed. Nine goals and countless assists point to that.
– Barry Landy
Cork — Kenny Browne
While Browne’s fellow signing from St Patrick’s Athletic, Greg Bolger, has been outstanding in midfield, such an impact was largely expected — once he could temper some of the indiscretions which had led to suspensions.
Less was known about centre-back Browne, but his partnership with Alan Bennett has been near rock-solid. Where Bolger has increased the quality in the middle, Browne has provided a defensive upgrade with City’s 23 goals allowed five better than the next-best defence, Dundalk.
Browne’s individual errors have been few and far between, his positioning excellent and he has also proven to be a goal-threat from set-pieces.
– Denis Hurley
Derry – Niclas Vemmelund
And following injuries to the experienced centre-half pairing of Ryan McBride and Aaron Barry with three months of the campaign to go, Vemmelund answered Shiels’ call to move into the heart of the City defence where he proved just as capable, playing a key role in guiding the Candy Stripes to a third-place finish.
One of several foreign players unearthed by the Derry boss who has a vast scouting network in Europe, the former Danish U19 international was without doubt his best bit of transfer business and the ease in which the big defender adapted to the League of Ireland was most impressive.
Vemmelund has already enjoyed an extended run in the Europa League in 2014 with Swedish club, Stjarnan, and so Shiels will do well to ensure he signs up for next season and helps Derry on their return to European football.
– Simon Collins
Shamrock Rovers – Gary McCabe
It’s been a frustrating season for the Tallaght club, and will be one that is looked back upon as a season of development, at least for the youngsters who have come through.
However, the nomination must go to one of the club’s longest serving players, Gary McCabe.
The midfielder has topped the Hoops’ scoring charts, registering 10 goals, and when he has played, his ability to get Rovers moving has been obvious. Whether playing in a deep role or as one of an attacking trio, McCabe has offered up some of the best moments this year, and with the retirement of Stephen McPhail, and as others leave the club, retaining his services must be high on the priority list.
Others who could have made the cut are Simon Madden, also known as Mr Dependable, while Sean Boyd, who netted five times, is another who deserves some recognition. If he continues to progress, as he has done this season, he will be a real asset for the Tallaght club.
– Simon Walsh
Sligo Rovers — Raffaele Cretaro
Although it’s not been a trophy-winning season for Sligo Rovers, one man has lit up The Showgrounds throughout the campaign. Raffaele Cretaro had not scored for the Bit o’Red in 2014 and 2015, so few would have expected the 35-year-old to have such a wonderful season.
Eyebrows were raised when the Sligo native was struggling to get into the starting XI at the beginning of the season, but once he earned his place, his impact was almost immediate. Cretaro has been a game changer on many occasions.
With 10 goals for Rovers this season, his contribution has been vital. Sligo Rovers means a huge amount to Cretaro as a local player, and his love for the club has been evident throughout the year. There’s life in the old dog yet, and Cretaro still has plenty to offer.
– Jessica Farry
Bray Wanderers — Dylan Connolly
The 21-year old couldn’t get into the side at the start of the season but he was an inspiring figure in the club’s outstanding second half of the campaign.
His electrifying pace has instilled fear in opposing defenders and earned him a nomination for the PFAI Young Player of the Year.
He may have only managed five goals, but his sheer presence created panic in defences that led to countless fouls — many of which have led to goals, while he grabbed a few assists too.
Bray face a battle to keep him. He is an outstanding talent and has massive potential, and he will have all eyes on him next season wherever he ends up.
– Dan Gorman
St Patrick’s Athletic — Conan Byrne
St Pat’s have had a disappointing season but they could be in a far worse situation had it not been for Byrne. The 2013 Premier Division winner has done his utmost to drag his side up the table by scoring 11 league goals from the wing.
In a campaign where Liam Buckley has blooded a lot of youngsters, the 31-year-old has shown that experience is also necessary as not just his goals, but his assists, have proved crucial.
During his four years in Inchicore, the former Shelbourne man has only missed five league encounters and his importance is demonstrated by his record of 60 goals in 175 games for the Saints.
– Sean O’Neill
Bohemians — Robert Lopes
Having made the switch from centre-half into midfield, Lopes has really blossomed into a fine shield in front of the Bohemians back four.
He has looked accomplished in other aspects too as he displayed excellent leadership qualities to drive his side forward from the centre of the park, with his power and determination massive assets for Bohs.
His all-round performance against rivals Shamrock Rovers in the last game of the year at Dalymount Park, in which he scored the winner, highlighted how pivotal he has become.
At just 24, Lopes has been appointed vice-captain by Keith Long and the Gypsies manager will be doing well to stave off potential suitors during the winter.
– Sean O’Neill
Galway — Vinny Faherty
It hasn’t been the best of seasons for Galway. The club sacked manager Tommy Dunne last month, citing a lack of progress, amid a disappointing campaign that saw them finish ninth in the league.
But although the outlook may not exactly be bright, they did manage to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle and for a club experiencing just their second season back in the top flight and with limited resources, this achievement is not something that can be taken too lightly.
Vinny Faherty was invariably at the centre of the club’s best moments this season. With 12 goals, only Derry’s Rory Patterson, Dundalk’s David McMillan and Cork’s Sean Maguire scored more.
In his third spell at Galway, the 29-year-old’s eye for a goal has given fans at Eamonn Deacy Park something to shout about in a season short on thrills.
Meanwhile, club captain Ryan Connolly also deserves a mention owing to his frequently influential midfield displays.
– Paul Fennessy
Finn Harps — Sean Houston
Before a ball was kicked, Finn Harps would’ve been tipped in many circles to return straight to the First Division having upset Limerick last November to seal the final spot in the top flight in the promotion-relegation play-off.
One man who played a pivotal role in Ollie Horgan’s side surviving in the Premier Division was Sean Houston.
Thanks primarily to his exemplary timing in joining the attack late, the central midfielder was Harps’ joint-top scorer (alongside Ryan Curran) with a fine haul of seven goals.
The Letterkenny native was at the Ballybofey club back in 2009 before joining UCD on a soccer scholarship that August. Spells at Bray Wanderers and Derry City followed before Horgan convinced Houston to rejoin the Donegal club.
– Alan Foley
Wexford Youths – Lee Grace
Grace is probably the reason why Wexford Youths still have a chance to hold onto their Premier Division status in the upcoming play-off matches.
The 23-year-old has played in the centre of defence, full back and in the centre of midfield and has rarely put a foot wrong.
Strong in the air, not afraid of a tackle and advancing with the ball, he’s been the shining light in the Youths squad this season.
Despite missing a portion of the campaign through injury, he came back and has been a vital part of Shane Keegan’s side ever since.
- Brendan White
Longford — Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn has been the most consistent player for Longford Town in what has both been disappointing and disastrous season. But to stand out from the players around him would not be difficult for a footballer of his experience and ability.
Flynn arrived at Longford after giving his best years to Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and St Pat’s, but his desire and love for the game helped the team win the Division One title and earn a sixth-place finish last season.
This campaign has seen Flynn become more of a leader on the field for Longford and without him, many results, as bad as they were, could have been a lot worse were it not for his presence in the side. For his sheer will to keep going, his desire and his obvious love of the game despite the club’s failings this season, Flynn deserves a nod.
- Dave Kenny
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