THE SIX NOMINEES for May’s SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month award have been announced, with two players from both Cork City and Derry City making the shortlist along with one each from Dublin clubs Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Sean Maguire
Maguire’s season-long form has earned him a move to the Championship where he will join former Dundalk duo Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle at Preston North End in July.
The forward has scored 16 goals in 17 games so far this season, with three coming in the month of May.
Another three came on 2 June when he bagged a sensational hattrick against former club Dundalk in front of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane in Oriel Park.
Darragh Markey
Markey has been a revelation in an otherwise disappointing first half to the season for St. Pat’s.
The midfielder betrays a false sense of vulnerability due to his slight frame and height, but makes up for it with an incredible first touch, speed, turn of pace and dribbling ability.
The 20-year-old has had to bide his time to find a place in manager Liam Buckley’s starting eleven but is now one of the the first name’s on the team sheet in midfield each week for the Saints.
Markey did not score or assist in the month of May but has been the sole standout performer in midfield for St Pat’s as they languish in 11th spot in the Premier Division.
Ryan Delaney
Delaney has been a rock in defence for Cork City since being loaned out by Burton Albion at the beginning of the season.
So good has his form been that manager John Caulfield may have to be prepare for the former Wexford Youths centre back to depart again soon.
Delaney scored more goals than any other player on today’s shortlist despite being a central defender. The 20-year-old bagged braces against Finn Harps and Shamrock Rovers as the Leesiders won all six of their league fixtures in May.
Aaron Barry
24-year-old Barry scored in a 1-1 draw versus Limerick as Derry maintained their unbeaten streak throughout May.
Following three consecutive defeats in April Kenny Shiels’ side have gone unbeaten since mid-April, securing wins against Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Galway to move up to third spot, just three points behind champions Dundalk in second.
The 24-year-old has impressed for the Candystipes since returning from a spell at Sheffield United in 2014.
The midfielder has had a brilliant campaign at Maginn Park in 2017 in midfield after he was forced to end his season early last September to undergo surgery on a troublesome hip.
Trevor Clarke
Much like Markey to St. Pat’s, teenager Trevor Clarke has put on outstanding performances each week he has taken to the field as Shamrock Rovers endured a mixed bag of results in May.
The Hoops remain outside of the European places at the halfway stage of the campaign, however a constant source of pride and praise for manager Stephen Bradley has been 19-year-old Clarke.
Displaying performances of grit and determination, demonstrating dribbling skills on the flank and defensive discipline Clarke has been his side’s standout performer in the opening half of the season.
Perhaps Clarke’s greatest asset has been his flexibility for Rovers this season. Normally used by manager Bradley at left-back Clarke has played a more attacking role on the left wing in games against Drogheda United and St. Pat’s this month.
His manager has admitted it will not be long before the player earns a senior international call up. He hit a stunning opener in Rovers’ eventual 4-1 defeat to Cork City and also scored in their 2-0 Dublin derby win over Bohemians last month.
Aaron McEneff
Derry have recovered from a poor run of results during March and April to reclaim third spot in the Premier Division and may even have sights on second if their form continues, thanks in large part to playmaker Aaron McEneff.
McEneff has six goals in 17 games this season alongside a host of assists as Derry secured three wins, four draws and no defeats in May with the 21-year-old leading their attacking line admirably.
He scored two goals, including a stoppage time winner when Derry defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-1 on 19 May while also scoring another penalty in a 2-0 victory over Bohemians two weeks before.
The winner of the SWAI/SSE Airtricity Player of the Month award will be announced on Friday.
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