Goalkeeper
Ger Doherty (Derry City) - Despite going into the game as an injury doubt with a troublesome back complaint, the ever reliable Derry ‘keeper ensured his side left the Showgrounds with a point after a string of impressive stops.
Defence
Simon Madden (Shamrock Rovers) - Disciplined and reliable in defence, Madden kept tabs on Billy Dennehy in the first half before keeping Kieran Djilali quiet after the restart. He also came close to creating a winning goal for Rovers when his pinpoint second-half cross found Mikey Drennan, who headed narrowly wide.
Roberto Lopes (Bohemians) - Didn’t have a lot to do but when called upon was commanding and has played a key part in Bohs’ watertight start to the season. Keith Long’s side have now kept three clean sheets and rarely looked like conceding in Bray.
Alan Bennett (Cork City) - The 33-year-old was an excellent defender when he left City in 2006, but in his third game back in the Cork colours since returning in February, the experience he gained from over 200 games in English football was very evident. Bennett always looked composed and played a major role in keeping Rovers out.
Stephen Walsh (Galway United) - A rock in Galway’s defence, Walsh was a key factor in their first clean sheet of the season. He seemed to halt each Drogheda attack and is blossoming into a top defender.
Midfield
Adam Evans (Bohemians) – The former Burnley winger was a constant menace on Saturday as he proved the match winner in his side’s victory at Bray. Evans was the stand out player on show and his arrival at Dalymount is proving to be a fine piece of business by Keith Long.
Sean Russell (Limerick) – It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for Limerick but they can take hope from the performances of some of their promising youngsters. Russell is one of them and scored his first goals for the club on Saturday.
Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers) - Rovers’ midfield trio of McCabe, Cregg and Fahey were all impressive, but McCabe had a particularly good evening. The 26-year-old saw plenty of the ball and was a regular menace to the City defence, with a couple of good efforts on goal – one of which appeared to be heading in before being deflected away for a corner.
Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) – Man of the match in Oriel Park on Friday night. As dangerous out wide on the left as he was when he drifted into more central positions, and helped to link Dundalk’s best attacking moves together.
Forwards
David O’Sullivan (Longford) - Many questioned whether the step-up to the top tier would be too much for O’Sullivan, but two predator-like finishes would indicate he’s ready to continue where he left off in the First Division.
David McMillan (Dundalk) - Wasn’t at his most threatening against Pat’s by any stretch but still managed to finish with his first two goals of the campaign. Pat who?!
