Patrick McEleney edges Sean Maguire to player of month gong

Dundalk midfielder Patrick McEleney has been named as the Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month for June with the 24 year-old's strong form and run of goals giving him the edge in voting over the league's top scorer, Sean Maguire.

“The one against Drogheda, the chip, that kicked it all off for me,” says the northerner. “I think that would be my favourite goal that I scored. It kick-started a good run for me and gave me confidence. It sort of sparked me a wee bit. The chip was nice as well. It looked good looking back on it.”

He got another memorable one against Bray on the last day of the month as Dundalk found some form ahead of their first European outing of the summer, and the former Derry City midfielder says there was a sense around the squad that after a disappointing first half to the campaign an improvement was required.

“The defeat to Cork just before the break was tough to take. We had to go away, come back and put our heads down, which we have done. We’ve been playing really well since the break.”