Purcell wins monthly award

Tadhg Purcell has capped a superb month both for himself and Shamrock Rovers by lifting the eircom / Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Player of the Month award for May.

The 21-year-old striker has been a key figure for Rovers who are going about their business in a most impressive manner following promotion to the Premier Division last season.

Purcell is the club's leading scorer this season with seven goals and was particularly impressive when scoring a brace in the recent 2-0 win over Drogheda United.

He then carried that momentum into June by grabbing a late winner against Bray Wanderers in the club's last match before the mid-season break.

Purcell attributes his success to the relationship he enjoys with manager Pat Scully and strike partner Ger Rowe

"The way myself and Pat approach playing and the way we approach training is very similar," he said.

"I think he sees some of the traits in me that he likes in a player, and I see that in him as a manager. As for Ger, I think we're a lot alike.

"It's the first time I've really played up front with someone where we can read each other very well. He's an extremely talented player. It could easily be him standing here instead of me."

Purcell - who played underage basketball for Ireland and GAA for Dublin - was speaking at a function in Dublin before dashing across the city to receive a 2.1 honours degree in Botany and Science from UCD.

"I've applied for a Masters but will have to wait and see if I get that," he added.  "My summer will be spent in the gym training and focusing on my football."

Rovers face Sligo in the second round of the FAI Ford Cup at Tolka Park on Saturday, a game Purcell is keen to etch his mark on.

"Sligo are a good team, a strong team and hard team to break down.  So it'll be hard to get a result.  We are stretched a bit with injuries and suspension, especially at the back, but I know we can get a result."

Finally, the league game between Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United which was abandoned on May 18th because of an unstable pylon at Tolka Park has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 10th (8pm) at the same venue.