Shelbourne midfielder Mark Coyle has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for February.
Club captain Coyle, who turned 27 three-days before the start of the season; helped Shels to an unbeaten start. Including a 1-1 draw away to newly promoted Waterford to begin the campaign.
Coyle then produced a man-of-the-match performance in the Reds 2-1 win over champions Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park. Coyle producing a brilliant 20-yard strike to open the scoring.
The former Finn Harps man is enjoying the best spell of his career in the engine room of Damien Duff's team, having established himself a key figure in the side that qualified for European football this season.
"It's definitely a very nice feeling” smiled Coyle. “It's nice to get some recognition but obviously it's more important about the team. The good start we've had has played a massive role in me getting this award."
"It's been a good start but I feel like there's a lot more to give to be honest. As a whole team, there's a lot more to come and more improvements to be made”.
"I wouldn't say the gaffer (Duff) is happy with the overall performance in the 90 minutes. Over all the games, but I think that will come in time, with all the new players. It's something we're excited for."
"We're not getting ahead of ourselves in any shape or form. We're only four games in. We want to improve week by week. We have a lot of hard work to do."
Coyle has succeeded the retired Luke Byrne as the club captain for 2024 and spoke about Duff's decision to hand him the armband has altered his approach to the game.
Captains armband brought best from Coyle
"I'd say it affected me a wee bit more than I realised” explained Coyle. “Talking with the gaffer, I realised they just want me to be me. I won't change who I am. If I can play the way I play, that's all that matters first and foremost."
In a vote of SWI members, Coyle edged a very close poll, finishing just ahead of impressive Waterford midfielder Barry Baggley. Jordan Flores of Bohemians was third in the poll.
Coyle wins the award having been nominated for the very first time in his career. After 12-years without a POTM winner, Shels have seen a player win this award twice in the last three months. Jack Moylan's winning last October.
The six-man shortlist for February's Player of the Month award also featured Sligo Rovers Simon Power, Thomas Considine of Treaty United and Derry City defender Mark Connolly.
