Derry City’s Jamie McGonigle has been named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for April.
The striker, 26, is the leading scorer in the Premier Division with nine goals and five of those came in April.
McGonigle smashed a hat-trick against UCD and followed up with a brace in the 4-0 win over St Pat’s at Richmond Park.
And the attacker is now turning his sights to tomorrow’s top of the table clash with the Candystripes face Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.
“I’m delighted to win," said McGonigle. “It’s good recognition for the month that I’ve had and the goals that I’ve scored.
“Some of the nominees that were there, the quality of players, I am delighted it was me who was selected.
“The hat-trick against UCD helped massively as I was on a drought.
“It’s not that I wasn’t playing well but I just wasn’t scoring goals so that gave me my confidence back. I then got another two against St Pat’s the following week.”
McGonigle wants to finish the season as the Premier Division’s top scorer and added: “I always set myself a target for 20 goals and I’m on nine from 14 games.”
Andy Lyons of Shamrock Rovers finished second in the voting, with McGonigle’s team-mate Will Patching third.
Shamrock Rovers’ Jack Byrne, Nathan Shepperd of Dundalk and Cork City’s Ally Gilchrist completed the shortlist of nominees for the April award.
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