Limerick FC's Faherty named player of the month

Limerick’s Vinny Faherty has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Player of the Month for August in recognition of his huge contribution to the club’s thrilling bid to pull off the great escape.

Ahead of tomorrow trip to Bray which could see his side finally off the bottom of the table, Faherty said: “It’s my first time to get the award but it’s a lot down to do with the team and their performance. The fact that we are six games unbeaten has a lot to do with it also.

“We scored 20 goals in our last six games so it has been quite a turnaround. I can’t put my finger on why or what happened but it’s been terrific. I’m more surprised at the 17 games that it took us to win one. That was incredible. “Our perspective changed once we got that first win. We started to look at everything a bit differently and our confidence got a big boost. Now we think every game is winnable.”

Meanwhile, in tonight’s Premier Division games, Dundalk can close in on successive titles as they host Drogheda in a Louth derby at Oriel Park (7.25, live on RTÉ 2), while Bohemians face Longford Town at Dalymount Park and Derry City, in their first game without Peter Hutton as manager, take on Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell.

In the First Division, Wexford Youths could clinch the title this weekend if they can beat UCD at the Belfield Bowl tonight and Finn Harps lose away to Cobh Ramblers tomorrow. Tonight’s other First Division games are Athlone Town v Shelbourne at the Athlone Town Stadium and Waterford Utd v Cabinteely at the RSC.