Drogheda United centre forward Freddie Draper has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for May.
Draper had a hugely impressive month in which he hit four Premier Division goals for Kevin Doherty's team.
The 18-year-old, on loan at Weavers Park from Lincoln City, has scored eight goals this season with half that tally arriving last month. Where, Drogheda picked up two victories and a draw as they battled towards the bottom of the table.
TOP DROG! 🏆
Freddie Draper of @DroghedaUnited has been named @sseairtricity / Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for May.
🗳️ @stpatsfc duo Sam Curtis and Chris Forrester finished second and third respectively.
Congratulations, Freddie! 👏 pic.twitter.com/6cNNoMReNL
— Soccer Writers Ireland (@SoccerWritersIr) June 22, 2023
“I'm thrilled” declared Draper. “I thought I could have a bit of a chance, I was in a bit of form going into the month, I scored a couple of goals."
"I was happy to see my name” nominated” explained Draper “and when I found out (had won) I was over the moon."
Draper netted in a home draw with Shelbourne, before scoring a superb breakaway goal in the Drogs' 2-1 win against champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.
Draper, then hit a brace in a 3-1 home victory over UCD. The forward also set up Dylan Grimes' match-clinching goal in that game. Draper’s four-goal haul in May meant he scored more goals in the month than any other player in the division.
Young player of the month record
The teenager has proved to be a vital cog in Drogheda's machine this term. The Englishman is one of only two United players to have started all 20 of their league games.
Draper is the first Drogheda United player to win the award in over nine-years; since Gary O'Neill claimed the accolade in March 2014.
Draper is also the youngest player this century to claim the POTM gong. The last teenager to win the award was Shamrock Rovers' Shane Robinson in August 1999.
Pre-Season Break
Draper has returned to Drogheda this week to prepare for Friday night's Louth derby after a week-long holiday in Malta. Where England were in European Qualifiers action last week.
"It was nice to get away, it was relaxing” Draper explained. “I was meant to get tickets but there was only a certain amount of tickets given out."
"It was better craic when all of the fans pretty much didn't go in the end. They were all in the town, singing, it was pretty lively."
The striker finished first in the vote of SWI members, finishing ahead of another teenager St Patrick's' Athletic's Sam Curtis in second. Saints' teammate Chris Forrester, who sits atop the Premier Division's scoring charts, finished third.
The six-man shortlist for May's Player of the Month award also included Derry City goalkeeper Brian Maher, Richie Towell of Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne's Shane Griffin.
