Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena has been named as the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Ireland Player of the Month for July.
The striker bagged a brace against Shelbourne and went on to score crucial goals away to Bala Town and Motherwell in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
“It’s brilliant to win the player of the month award again” said Keena, the Premier Division’s top scorer with 11 goals.
“If your team is doing well you’re always going to get chances as a striker” added Keena. “We hit a good bit of form, and I got a few chances and put them away, thank God”.
It is 23-year-old Keena’s second time to win the award, having previously claimed it in March. “Going into any season, your aim is to be up there for the top goal scorer. Hopefully by the end of it, I’ll still be there.”
Under John Russell, Rovers enjoyed some memorable nights in the Europa conference league before exiting at the hands of Norwegian side Viking.
“The European run was brilliant for the club, the fans, the players and coaching staff alike” Keena added. “We loved it and hopefully we can push on in the rest of the games and qualify for next season as well.”
St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang, whose loan spell with the Saints has since ended, was runner-up in the voting. Shamrock Rovers forward Rory Gaffney finished third.
