Goalkeeper
Gerard Doherty (Derry City)
The 33-year-old showed exactly why he’s been Derry City’s number one goalkeeper for so long. Saved superbly from point-blank range from David McMillan after four minutes, and again on the half-hour mark when he came off his line to intercept. Also tipped Ronan Finn’s strike over the bar but could do nothing for Massey’s close-range winner for Dundalk.
Defenders
Ian Bermingham (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Having suffered defeat last week in Tallaght, the Inchicore crowd were looking for a strong performance from their team and the captain set the tone from the off. From his full-back position, Bermingham drove the Saints on in the early stages and had a hand in the second goal in their 3-0 home win over Bray Wanderers.
Anto Murphy (Bohemians)
Not only did the centre-back pop up with both Bohs goals in a game lacking in quality, but he bullied the Galway United frontline at the other end, ensuring that the visitors didn’t get an inch of space to punish Keith Long’s side.
Darren Dennehy (Cork City)
Got the nod ahead of Dan Murray and justified John Caulfield’s decision by chipping in with another solid defensive display and a couple of goals too.
Dane Massey (Dundalk)
Massey netted the game’s only goal against Derry but his defensive work was vital also. He made a last-ditch sliding tackle to deny Mark Timlin a shot on target from close range, moments before he won the game for the Lilywhites.
Midfielders
Sean Thornton (Drogheda United)
Making his first home league appearance for his boyhood club, Thornton was an imposing and physical presence in the midfield battle. His free-kick has headed in by Neil Yadolahi for the winning goal in Friday’s 3-2 victory at home to Sligo Rovers.
Keith Buckley (Bohemians)
Buckley was the one player to get a stranglehold of proceedings and dictate the tempo in the engine room. The promising 22-year-old sat deep for much of Bohs’ win over Galway United at Dalymount Park, enjoyed much of the possession and pulled the strings from midfield.
Greg Bolger (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Anchored the Pat’s midfield well alongside Killian Brennan and continuously broke up the play whenever Bray got on the front-foot. Also won the penalty in the fourth minute.
Kieran Waters (Shamrock Rovers)
Another lively display from ‘Marty’ Waters in Saturday’s 2-0 win in Longford was rewarded with an excellent first-half goal that sealed a second successive win for the Hoops.
Forwards
Karl Sheppard (Cork City)
He didn’t get the goal his hard-working performance deserved but the 24-year-old striker had to settle for the man-of-the-match award on his home debut instead. An impressive feat in a game where your team scored five.
Daryl Kavanagh (Drogheda United)
The striker scored his second goal in two games for his new club but his hold-up play and willingness to go toe-to-toe with the Sligo defence really stood out.
Originally published at 13.06
