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Top XI

A brilliant young defensive partnership features in our LOI Team of the Week

St Patrick’s Athletic duo Lee Desmond and Sean Hoare appear to have bright futures in the game.

Goalkeeper

Gary Rogers (Dundalk) – Good saves from Longford’s Kevin O’Connor and Gary Shaw ensured he kept a clean sheet as the champions came away with a 2-0 win.

Defence

Alan Byrne (Drogheda United) – The experienced centre back marshalled Drogheda’s makeshift defence well against Bray and made some vital interceptions and clearances as United dug out the win.

Lee Desmond (St Patrick’s Athletic) – A terrific performance from the 20-year-old Pat’s defender, who showed maturity way beyond his years against Shamrock Rovers.

Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic) – Desmond’s partner-in-crime, 21, was equally as assured as the Saints kept a clean sheet at Richmond Park on Monday night.

Midfield

Lee Duffy (Drogheda United) – The winger was a constant menace to the Bray defence, with his trickery and flashes of skill keeping Michael Barker on the backfoot. His cross just after half time teed up Drogheda’s equaliser.

Gavan Holohan (Cork City) - Wears 8 on his back but sparkled in the number 10 role as he replaced Garry Buckley. Got into great positions and showed brilliant awareness in lead-up to Sheppard’s second goal as well as winning the penalty in the win over Sligo. Could become a big asset to City as the season goes on.

Ryan Connolly (Galway) – The former Derby County man was in fine form throughout, controlling the midfield while his deliveries from set-pieces were superb. It was his well-executed diagonal cross which set up Jake Keegan for the second strike as he made his mark on the game.

Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) – The Lilywhites’ best player on the night curled their first past Paul Skinner and into the top corner before setting up John Mountney. The Galway native only seems to score brilliant goals.

Billy Dennehy (Cork City) – A second half hat-trick, including a stunning free-kick, helped the Leesiders to a second victory in four days last night.

Forwards

Karl Sheppard (Cork City) - Scored two, missed and penalty and unlucky on two other occasions, he showed what he can do when he is on form on Friday. Got one against Drogheda last night too.

Jason Byrne (Bohemians) – The 37-year-old came off the bench to score the winner for Bohs at home to Limerick. It’s first first league goal of the season but 217th of his career.

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