League of Ireland Premier Division team of the week
HUDDLE UP: Shamrock Rovers before the kick off against Bohs at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Sent off in the President’s Cup defeat to Shelbourne the previous Friday, Dennison produced a string of saves to frustrate much fancied St Pat’s as Drogheda dug in for a big point by the Camac. Clean sheet. Job done.
Sjoberg enjoyed perhaps one of his best games for Saints. Looking fit and focused, the Swede was terrier-like in the tackle in defending while always willing to maraud forward in classic attacking fullback fashion.
Sharing the aerial power of his Dad Viv, the debutant coped manfully with Galway United’s physical threats and was classy in possession too. Premature to declare his longevity but City may have brokered a masterstroke by agreeing a loan from Stoke City for the LOI season.
His return from Bohs this time last year was curbed by an ACL injury on the opening night but he led by example with a towering display on his return in the win over Shamrock Rovers. Alan Reynolds will manage his loading but ensure he’s deployed for these big occasions.
Recovered from injury and a lack of training to start on the left side of a back-three which John Caulfield deployed to counteract Cork City’s deadly duo of Seáni Maguire and Ruairi Keating. A storming display by the former Ireland international and captain was a bedrock of them eking out a draw.
The Manchester City Academy graduate, 23, goaled with a smooth finish for Waterford's opener and influenced matters in the first-half.
Midfield is a competitive area at Bohemians but the recruit from Sligo Rovers justified his selection by dominating the engine-room against the class of Rovers.
The talented Englishman, starting slightly wider than he probably would prefer on the left, showed Berbatov-esque touches throughout and was cool as a cucumber on the hotly-contested battle with one of the title favourites. Looks like a player reborn with a full preseason under his belt.
The death of his influential grandmother in recent days placed a doubt on his involvement but Burke displayed his pedigree by producing a bundle of chances in Sunday’s showpiece occasion. Still one of the league’s best players.
Two goals and an assist on the opening night for Damien Duff's number 9. Clinical from both 40-yards and 12-yards and signs of a deadly partnership with Mipo Odubeko developing that will give defenders up and down the country sleepless nights no doubt.
The 18-year-old winger, Sligo's brightest attacker, netted his first senior competitive goal for the club with a smart second-half finish.
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