MAY-D IN DUNDALK! Horgan Rules the Month

Photos Courtesy of Sportsfile

DUNDALK club captain, Daryl Horgan has been named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for May.

The Galway native topped the SWI nationwide poll with 60 points to claim the award ahead of second placed Tommy Lonergan of Waterford on 44 points with Bohemians’ Dawson Devoy third on 36 points.

Horgan whose earlier domestic career included spells at Salthill Devon, Sligo Rovers and Cork City continued to lead by example wearing the captain’s armband as he delivered some masterful performances throughout May with four goals and two assists to clinch his second nomination this season.

Also on the monthly short-list were Ross Tierney of Bohemians, Kian Leavy of St Patrick’s Athletic and Tunmise Sobowale of league leaders, Shamrock Rovers.

Horgan (34) is a brother of Colm, Kevin and Christopher – all of whom played League of Ireland football – and he was capped 17 times by the Republic of Ireland between 2017 and 2021.

He played cross-channel for Preston North End, Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage (loan) as well as with Edinburgh’s Hibernian FC in Scotland.

 Horgan recently signed a new two-year extension with the Lilywhites and continues his commitment and involvement with the border club coaching in their U17 Academy helping to inspire and guide the next generation of players coming through at Oriel Park.

“It’s been a good season so far for us but we had a good squad from the get go and what we are looking back at are points that we dropped along the way. We are in a decent position okay and we want to kick on now and not fall away in the table. We have a game in hand and we are in a challenging position,” he said.

Horgan will be back at Turner’s Cross – one of his old stomping grounds on Friday night – when Dundalk play John Caulfield’s Galway United.

“It’s not ideal for the fans with all the travel involved in getting to Cork but I have good memories of playing there and it’s one of the best venues in the league in terms of atmosphere and facilities. It’s always a very difficult game against Galway no matter where you play them but we are looking forward to it,” he added.

The Dundalk skipper said that being club captain is something he relishes and enjoys the extra responsibility.

“I really enjoy it. I think I revel in it and wearing the captain’s armband gives you more leeway, more leadership and you have more of a say in terms of advice, giving confidence to the rest of the squad and helping lads along the way. It’s special for me to represent Dundalk FC as the club captain,” he added.

The highlight of Horgan’s career so far was making his Ireland senior debut against Iceland at the Aviva Stadium in March, 2017 while the low point was Dundalk’s relegation to the First Division two years ago.

The Lilywhites winger has 98 career goals and is closing in fast on a remarkable century of goals and he hopes to hit the target again against Galway in Cork on Friday night.

Horgan is currently doing his UEFA ‘A’ licence with the FAI and is interested in going into management at some stage.

“I think I will go down the management route when I retire but that’s down the road a bit. I think I’d like the daily routine of it and managing all those egos. I’d love to give it a go because I love the coaching side of it too. I like to bring the best out of players and people but it would be a bit of a leap for me,” he added.