Goalkeeper

Gary Rogers (Sligo Rovers)

Two wonderful one-on-one saves to deny Athlone’s Philip Gorman were a huge factor in the Bit o’Red’s fifth victory and fifth clean sheet in their last six league ties.

Defence

Brian Gartland (Dundalk)

Dundalk centre-half Gartland scored one goal and prevented a few others at the opposite end during the Lilywhites' win over Limerick FC at Thomond Park. He then turned in a solid display in his side’s stunning 7-0 win over Drogheda, helping to keep the Drogs quiet while the Dundalk forwards destroyed them.

Simon Madden (Shamrock Rovers)

Rovers returned briefly to the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over Athlone and full-back Madden was their stand out performer on the night. Dependable and positionally aware at the back, Madden’s link-up play and bursts forward offered the Hoops an extra dimension against a team set up to frustrate.



Andy Boyle (Dundalk)

Like Gartland, Boyle did his part at the back to restrain Drogheda in the first-half before the floodgates opened and Boyle played a role at the attacking end. His aerial prowess was always a threat and he got his name on the scoresheet after the break.

Hugh Douglas (UCD)

Douglas turned in a fine display to help frustrate champions St Patrick’s Athletic and earn his side a point on Friday. The centre-back showed maturity beyond his years to marshal his back line and was always in the right place at the right time to deny the visitors.

Midfield

John Russell (Sligo Rovers)

Most of Sligo’s best work in their 2-0 victory over Athlone was done down the flanks and Russell was at the heart of that, including his assist for Danny Ledwith’s opening goal. He previously lit up The Showgrounds with a stunning strike on Saturday against Bray Wanderers. The midfielder is in top form at the moment.



Gearoid Morrissey (Cork City)

A tenured face at Turner’s Cross at this stage, it’s easy to forget that the Mahon man is still just 22 years of age. His performance against Derry City was another sterling display alongside Colin Healy in the heart of the City midfield, with a spectacular goal to boot.

Darren Meenan (Dundalk)

The Dundalk winger was one of the real driving forces in his side's landslide victory over their local rivals. Full of running and trickery, his crosses caused no end of trouble in the Drogheda penalty and he had a hand in several goals.

Forwards

Billy Dennehy (Cork City)

Cork’s surge to the upper reaches of the Premier Division table this season has been due in part to the Kerry man’s goals, and he found the net once more in fine fashion against Derry. The spot-kick was flawless and also his fourth penalty of the season to date - his eighth goal in all competitions.

Paddy Kavanagh (Bohemians)

Drogheda man-marked Bohs’ mercurial forward when the sides last played, but not at United Park last Friday, and Kavanagh had a field day as a result. His ball skills were mesmerising at times - sometimes too clever for his own team-mates - definitely worth the admission money. He was not as effective in the latter stages when Drogheda began to get a foothold in the game.



David McMillan (Dundalk)

You could make an argument for all of Dundalk’s attacking players to feature here this week but McMillan really stood out against Drogheda. Given less that 30 minutes to impress after coming off the bench he romped through the Drogs’ defence and plundered two fine goals to add to the visitors' misery.