Goalkeeper

Dean Delany (Bohemians)

Bohemians weren’t at their best in their 1-1 draw with Dundalk but thanks to Delany were still able to claim a point. He set the tone early on when he tipped over a snapshot from Kurtis Byrne and went on to produce a string of fine saves, including two in injury time, to help his side plunder a point.

Defenders

Conor Kenna (Shamrock Rovers)

It may not have been Kenna’s busiest evening, given his side’s overall control against Sligo but the centre-half highlighted what a shrewd acquisition he has been for the Hoops. Kenna mopped up well when required and when Sligo threatened to level in the 74th minute, Kenna was superbly placed to clear Eric Odhiambo’s shot off the line, helping secure a precious three points for his new club.

Brian Lenihan (Cork City)

A 3-0 result looked comfortable, but twice Lenihan had to intervene for City to save their skins when Athlone were threatening. He didn’t attack with as much threat as we’ve seen him do so already this season, but his shrewd positional sense was vital to Cork’s cause.

Ryan McBride (Derry City)

Derry held champions St Pat’s to a scoreless draw on Friday and McBride played a major role in that result. The defender almost single-andedly negated the attacked threat of Christy Fagan and although there was a penalty scare when he appeared to barge into the back of the Pat’s frontman, he got away with it and didn’t put a foot wrong after that.

Midfield

Billy Dennehy (Cork City)

Dennehy was a constant thorn in Athlone Town’s side, getting on the scoresheet himself and also setting up Mark O’Sullivan’s opener with a fine cross. He moved across the midfield to great effect and invariably added pace and impetus to his team’s moves.

James O’Brien (Athlone Town)

The home side were outclassed by Cork in Lissywoollen but that made O’Brien’s efforts all the more commendable as he drove at the Cork defence time and again, repeatedly causing problems and creating openings.

Shane Duggan (Limerick)

Duggan may have been on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline against Drogheda but it wasn’t for a want of effort or desire. The midfielder put in a Trojan shift and was the base from which Limerick’s attacking play started. He was also unlucky not to get an equaliser, shooting just inches wide with with 20 minutes left.

Chris Forrester (St Pat’s)

Forrester was the Saints’ biggest threat against Derry, who struggled to contain him at times. On another night he could have had a couple of goals as he forced Gerard Doherty into making several fine saves.

Forwards

Kurtis Byrne (Dundalk)

It was a great surprise to see Byrne hooked off in favour of David McMillan in the closing stages. Always looked the likeliest threat for Dundalk, had a neat volley well saved in the first half before he shaved the post with a 30-yard curler in the second.

Cillian Morrison (UCD)

Morrison turned in a stunning display in his side’s 5-3 victory over Bray, claiming a hat-trick and helping his side to an important three points. Morrison’s second goal - a fine long range effort on the hour mark - was the pick of the bunch and he turned in a highly impressive display, full of incisive runs and clinical finishing.

Ciaran Kilduff (Shamrock Rovers)

Kilduff led the line superbly once again for the Hoops, with his hold-up play and ability to create chances a crucial factor in his side’s victory over Sligo. His power and pace were instrumental as he fed Ryan Brennan for the opening goal and the former UCD player seems full of confidence following the faith that Trevor Croly has shown in him this campaign. We won’t mention his late miss though!