Robbie McDaid’s strong performances have been rewarded by winning the Supporters Glentoran Player of the Month vote for January.
Robbie was very influential throughout the month in a front three with Curtis Allen and new signiung Darren Murray. It can be fairly said that his direct running and his strength of character were largely responsible for overturning a deficit at home against Newry City as his rampaging down the right hand side delivered two pinpoint crosses that directly led to the two late goals that gave us our 2-1 victory.
Robbie said on being told of the vote: “Well obviously I’m delighted to receive player of the month. It was one of my personal goals this season to try and win one so now I’m able to tick that one of the list. January started off pretty poorly with the 4-2 defeat by Dungannon, but since Smicker has taken over we’ve picked up again and we’ve done fairly well in the games since. He’s given me a new role in the team and has told me to go and express myself which has worked well so far. He’s given me the responsibility to suss out how the games are going and where I can pick up positions in the final third to get on the ball and hurt teams, a bit like the Newry game where I wasn’t getting much of the ball up the middle of the pitch so pulled wide right where I got more of the ball and helped get the two goals to win us the game. I still see myself as a striker but with this new role I can play as a striker, winger or even in the hole depending on how the game’s going. Smicker, Leeper and Ciaran have been top drawer with me so I have a lot to thank them for. Also a special mention to Johnny Cummings our physio who’s helped me manage a pretty annoying injury in my big toe the last couple of weeks. I went for a scan at the start of the month and found I had torn ligaments in my toe and a lot of inflammation around the joint so I’ve had to bite the bullet and get on with it. Jonny’s helped me a lot with managing it and getting through games. Hopefully between now and the end of the season I can continue to contribute to the team and help us win games and finish as high as we possibly can”.
Manager Gary Smyth said of Robbie: “Robbie is a dream to have at the club. Not only is he a top player but he’s a great lad too. He travels from Omagh for training twice every week and there’s never a complaint out of him about it. When we discuss trying something new or different he’s always up for it and always gives it everything he’s got. The past few weeks he’s taken on a lot more responsibility in the system we’ve played and the freedom he’s had hasn’t troubled him at all. He’s thrived on it. Robbie totally deserves this award.”
Robbie was a clear winner of the January vote with 70% of the votes cast. Runner up was Cricky Gallagher on 10% while new signing Lukasz Gwiazda and Joe Crowe were also shortlisted.
Congratulations Robbie.
Under 20s Player of the Month.
Congratulations to Sean Gallagher on being named as U20 Player of the Month for January.
U20 Manager David Lowry: “Sean played a pivotal role in the crucial home win over Institute as he grabbed the equaliser in the game and was the driving force for the team on the day before putting in a barnstorming performance in the 2-1 home win over Linfield at the end of the month.
Sean has been a consistent performer all season and has been close to the award on a number of occasions.
Special mentions this month to Lewis McGarvey, Mal Smith and Sean Wallace who all ran Sean very close and can consider themselves unlucky to have been pipped at the post.
It was probably the hardest month so far to call with everyone responding well to the 1-0 defeat away at Dungannon at the start of the month to put in three top class performances against Institute, Ards and Linfield.
Hopefully that same level of performance is maintained through what is shaping up to be a busy February and the competition hots up even more!”
Sean was also given a first team squad number this month and was on the bench for our away Danske Bank Premiership match at Newry Showgrounds”.
Congratulations Sean