Goalkeeper

Dean Delany (Bohemians) – Bohemians now have five clean sheets from six league outings this season and that record has been done in no small part to the form of their veteran goalkeeper.

At United Park, he guessed correctly to make his save from Daryl Kavanagh’s penalty look routine. He was commanding in the air and stopped everything else thrown his way.

Defence

Simon Madden (Shamrock Rovers) – Rovers’ best attacking threat as he bombed on  from right full repeatedly. His long ball led to the game’s opening goal, and most of Rovers’ best chances came from his deliveries.

Anto Murphy (Bohemians) – The 32-year-old was deployed at centre back at United Park but just 20 minutes in saw his central defensive partner dismissed. Taking on the senior role in the centre of Bohs defence, Murphy excelled in what isn’t his most natural or best position. Marshalled Daryl Kavanagh well.

Paudie O’Connor (Limerick) - Confident, efficient and ruthless. O’Connor is seventeen years of age is already beginning to communicate like a leader. A big reason why Dundalk were limited to half chances, O’Connor has a huge future ahead of him.

John Kavanagh (Cork City) – If managers in the UK are still searching for the next Seamus Coleman, Turner’s Cross would be the best place to start. Reliable defensively and always keen to get forward, Kavanagh has got the lot. Another faultless display on Friday against Derry.

Midfield

Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) – The consistent winger scored on his 100th appearance for the Saints and had a hand in Chris Forrester’s goal in their 2-2 draw with Longford Town.

Richie Towell (Dundalk) - In a game that failed to inspire, Richie Towell’s goal lit up a drab affair. Darren Meenan’s ball in from the right was cleared by Robbie Williams but Towell smashed home from the edge of the box to give Dundalk the lead.

Liam Miller (Cork City) - It took him a couple of games to find his feet, but this was another accomplished performance from the former Irish international. It’s too early to get carried away for Cork fans, but Miller has made it look easy so far and Friday was no different. They say class is permanent, and Miller is a good example of that.

David Cassidy (Bray Wanderers) – Although Bray didn’t have too many chances throughout the game, he scored two penalties and took his third very well.

Forwards

Mikey Drennan (Shamrock Rovers) – Scored twice, and could have had two or three more had he taken his chances. Still, Rovers fans will be encouraged by the amount of times he got himself into goalscoring positions as well as his clever link play.

Karl Sheppard (Cork City) - Another new arrival on Leeside who has bedded into the team well. Sheppard put in another solid shift on Friday against Derry and was rewarded with a couple of goals, the second of which was a sweet volley. That’s three for the season now for the former Shamrock Rovers player and you get the feeling that there’s plenty more on the way.

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