Dundalk’s Richie Towell who was presented with the SSE Airtricity / SWAI Player of the Month award for July.
Dundalk FC midfielder Richie Towell has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for July.
The former Celtic ace wins the award for the second time having scooped the prize last August also.
He picked up the award at a ceremony in the Davenport Hotel this morning, where he spoke to the media ahead of his side’s clash with Limerick FC in Oriel Park tomorrow.
Towell was the driving force behind the Lilywhites’ magnificent July run that saw them win six out of seven games. As well as scoring a brace away to Jeunesse Esch in the Europa League, he also scored the opener in the 5-1 league win against Bray.
The Dundalk star admits it was an honour to top the voting among SWAI members.
“To win the award for a second time is a great honour,” said Towell.
“It’s a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in. I’ve been on a decent goal scoring run which is nice, it’s something I try to do. I’ve got 13 for the season so far and I’m in flying form.”
Dundalk are four points clear at the top of the table, but after a disappointing draw against rivals Drogheda United last week, they are keen to get back to winning ways against Limerick on Friday.
“We were disappointed with the draw against Drogheda but we are still four points clear and we have the belief in the squad that we can bounce back,” explained Towell.
“We have bounced back before. We are fully focused on getting a good result against Limerick now.”
Towell began his career at Celtic before signing for Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk in 2012 and admits the Lilywhites boss has been a huge reason behind his good form.
“Stephen Kenny has been absolutely brilliant for me,” added Towell.
“When I got back from Celtic I was thinking ‘have I failed?’ and my confidence was low. But he has built me back up and has taken the shackles off me this season.
“I am really enjoying it. He is a joy to play for and I know the lads think the same.”
In winning the award, Towell fended off competition from team-mate Kurtis Byrne who finished second. Derry City’s Michael Duffy was third.
Towell is the second Dundalk player to win the Player of the Month award this season after Daryl Horgan scooped the prize in May.
