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Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Star Pupils

International midfielder among our selections in the League of Ireland team of the week

This XI is brimming with quality from head to toe.

Goalkeeper

Michael Schlingermann Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Micheal Schlingermann (Drogheda United) – The Drogheda goalkeeper kept out both David McMillan and Darren Meenan in the first half and further superb stops from Ronan Finn, Sean Gannon and Andy Boyle. It took the cruellest of deflections in the 90th minute to eventually score the winner. A lousy end to an inspired evening.

Defenders

Robert O’Reilly (Drogheda United) – Johnny McDonnell’s side haven’t always been defensively assure this term but they put in a fine rearguard effort on Friday to make it difficult for their near neighbours. O’Reilly, in particular, stood out with the teenager making several crucial interventions throughout.

Peter McGlynn Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Peter McGlynn (Bray Wanderers) – Showed raw desire to go forward but didn’t shy away from defensive responsibilities on a night where he was drafted into the side at the last minute. Easily the most effective player on the pitch and tormented Limerick all night. His mentality was superb given the circumstances.

Andy Boyle (Dundalk) – An ever reliable performer for the champions, Boyle has become an integral part of Stephen Kenny’s side. Would have been disappointed to allow Duffy the space to equalise on Friday but, overall, it was another domineering performance from one of the best defenders in the league.

Midfielders

Simon Madden and Ayman Ben Mohamed Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Ayman Ben Mohamad (Longford Town) – The winger’s stock continues to soar with each passing week and the former UCD man was a constant thorn in Bohemians’ side on Saturday as his tireless energy caused boundless problems.

Sander Puri (Sligo Rovers) - The Estonian international was offered a free role behind Dinny Corcoran in Sligo’s 1-1 draw with Galway on Saturday and impressed. He was extremely unlucky to see his headed effort palmed away by United goalkeeper Conor Winn before Dinny Corcoran’s 17th minute strike which levelled the tie. Puri’s quick feet and incisive play offered a lot to Rovers in terms of their attacking threat and the Showgrounds faithful will look to the skilful winger to offer more of the same in the coming weeks as the Bit O’Red look to climb the table.

Darren Meenan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Keith Buckley (Bohemians) – The industrious midfielder has been central to Bohs’ fine season to date and was again their stand out performer in Longford. He could barely miss when the opportunity presented itself but getting on the score-sheet is something he’ll need to do more of going forward.

Darren Meenan (Dundalk) - The Dundalk winger scored their first and got the vital touch on John Mountney’s late free-kick as Dundalk just about claimed the win at United Park. But he was involved throughout and always looked dangerous against his old club.

Forwards

Lee Duffy (Drogheda United) - The scorer of Drogheda’s equaliser, Duffy took his goal with real aplomb after doing well to fend off the attentions of the recovering defender. In the first half, Duffy ran Brian Gartland ragged on more than one occasion.

Ryan Connolly Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Ryan Connolly (Galway United) - The former Sligo man will feel he has a point to prove at the Showgrounds following a disappointing season eighteen months at the club. The Mayo man has been in good form in recent months since arriving at Eamon Deacy Park and gave Sligo centre half Gavin Peers constant problems during United’s 1-1 draw with the Bit O’Red on Saturday night. Connolly illustrated his eye for goal ten minutes in as he did well to lose his marker and place the ball past Richard Brush with ten minutes played.

David O’Sullivan (Longford Town) – Once again Longford’s solid performer. Linked up well throughout but was somewhat lost when Bohs had the majority of the ball, still the home teams best player of the match.

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