EXTRA TIME
THE SPECTATOR
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ell this is all a bit strange isn’t it? It’s that time of year again, time for The Spectator’s very own awards ceremony, The Speccies 2020. The Half Speccies perhaps. THE TOM MCNULTY PLAYER OF THE SEASON AWARD A tough call for the coveted McNulty award. There has been no standout performer throughout the season, but Patrick Hoban has ploughed the proverbial lone furrow up front admirably and is front runner to be the (half) league’s topscorer, there have been moments of magic from Michael Duffy and Stefan Colovic, Dan Cleary and Brian Gartland, Chris Shields and Euro specialist Sean Murray. The Spectator’s nomination though goes to Gary Rogers who has probably been the side’s most consistently high performer, repeatedly repelling one-on-ones and being the base on which much of Dundalk’s successes were built.
Pat Hoban
THE PHILLY HUGHES MEMORIAL GOAL OF THE SEASON AWARD That Jordan Flores fella can hit a shot, can’t he? Great goal against Cork in February, and then he went one better with a worldie at Tallaght, THAT goal that went viral in this most viral of years.
Filippo Giovagnoli celebrates with Chris Shields following the UEFA Europa League match v FC Sheriff Tiraspol
Jordan Flores
THE ‘2002 CUP SEMI-FINAL’ AWARD FOR GAME OF THE SEASON Obviously we can’t give the award to that game in Tallaghtit was a bona fide classic but a 3-2 defeat ain’t gonna cut it. Dundalk’s finest performances have probably been reserved for Europe. There were solid wins over Inter-Club and KI, 45 excellent minutes against Molde and a decent showing against Arsenal, but the superbly managed, professional and thoroughly deserved win over Sheriff in Moldova was outstanding. 44
THE ‘RELIVING 2012’ AWARD FOR WORST GAME OF THE SEASON Hmm. Quite a few to choose from since the restart. The Champions League defeat against Celje in Budapest was a bitterly disappointing result off the back of a mediocre performance. At home, performances varied from disappointing to dismal. The 3-1 shellacking in Sligo represented the nadir of an up and very down season.
Sligo Rovers
