Bohs' James Clarke wins August Player of the Month award

Bohemians' midfielder James Clarke has been voted the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for August with the Dalymount Park outfit enjoying an unbeaten month.

The 22-year-old is enjoying the most fruitful spell of his career in the engine room of Declan Devine's team, who are chasing a return to European football after three years away.

Just as they did in July, the Gypsies went unbeaten last month and Clarke played a central role in their extended run of good form.

He started all four games, beginning the month by scoring the clincher in a 4-2 win over former side Drogheda United.

Clarke also scored in the 2-2 draw with rivals Derry City at Dalymount Park before he hit a first career fbrace in the 6-0 FAI Cup victory over Rockmount.

The tenacious midfielder started only three of Bohs' first 15 league games but he has played his way into the team and now appears an indispensable player as the season reaches its climax.

In a vote of SWI members, Clarke edged a very close poll, finishing ahead of St Patrick's Athletic captain Joe Redmond. His Bohemians' teammate Jonathan Afolabi, the July Player of the Month, was third.

Clarke, who joined Bohs from Drogheda in the summer of 2022, was previously nominated for the award as recently as June this year when Dundalk's Pat Hoban claimed the prize.

He is the third Bohemians player to win the award this season, following on from Ali Coote's win in March and Afolabi's win in July.

Speaking after receiving his award, Clarke said: "It's really nice to get recognition for the work I've done throughout the month so obviously I'm really happy to get that."

On his impressive recent goal-scoring run, Clarke added: "It's always something I want to add to my game to be honest,