Patrick Hickey of Bohemians has been named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March.
Hickey has continued his excellent start to the season, establishinghimself as a key member of the Gypsies’ squad. Bohs sit proudly joint top with St Patrick’s Athletic in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table.
American-born Hickey; helped Bohs’ to three clean sheets over the month under review. Hickey added two goals to secure his second nomination in-a-row for the SWI monthly gong.
“We have the best defensive record in the league” explained Hickey. “That’s testament to the hard work and graft that we put in as a back four and its living proof of the great start we have made to the season”.
“We have been solid across the back line, and the cherry on top, is the fact that we remain unbeaten”.
“We have some serious quality at the top end of the pitch too and the goals are flying in,” said Hickey.
Alan Reynolds’ Bohs were undefeated in March as they eased up the table, joining the title race after 10 matches.
Bohs boss Reynolds a fan of Hickey
“Alan Reynolds has been brilliant for me” explained Hickey. “He started watching me when I was with Athlone and he was at Waterford.
Reynolds “has seen me play in a variety of positions and he was the one to convert me to a centre-half. I can only thank him for the confidence and belief he has shown in me and I have settled well to my new role in the team,” added Hickey.
Indeed, Hickey, secured over 50% of the first preference votes in the SWI nationwide poll. Hickey finished nine votes ahead of former Irish international, Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) with Galway United’s Kris Twardek a distant third.
Indeed, three other players, Harry Wood of Shelbourne, a previous winner; James Brown of St Pat’s and teenager Adam Brennan of Shamrock Rovers were also short-listed for the award.
