Goalkeeper
Mark McNulty (Cork City) – The Cork keeper hadn’t much to do overall but was quick off his line to deny Rory Patterson in the first half and handled superbly throughout.
Defence
Darren Dennehy (Cork City) – A towering presence at the heart of the Cork defence. A menacing threat from set-pieces and capped a man of the match display with the winning goal.
Michael Daly (Drogheda United) – The Drogs skipper was a rock at the back for the visitors at Dalymount Park.
Brian Gartland (Dundalk) – Put in a solid shift in the backline as the Lilywhites bounced back from their opening day defeat to Drogheda.
Midfield
Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers) – Scored one and was unlucky with an effort that crashed off the post.
Conan Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic) – Got his name on the scoresheet twice with a top drawer free-kick after his first half opener.
Craig Walsh (Bohemians) – Along with team-mate Paddy Kavanagh, the midfielder was a constant creative outlet for the Gypsies.
Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) – The new signing from Cork was a threat all night with his tricks and invention, earning him a rapturous applause when he was withdrawn late on.
Forwards
Chris Mulhall (UCD) – The Students’ star man grabbed two goals which were unlucky not to earn a point after Christy Fagan’s late winner.
Gary O’Neill (Drogheda United) – Snatched a draw for his side with a brace. Great to see the striker back fit and scoring after his battle with testicular cancer.
Ciaran Kilduff (Shamrock Rovers) – ‘Killer’ capitalised on Paul Skinner’s inability to hold onto a corner to put the Hoops 1-0 up then added a second with an overhead kick after the break.
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