Sligo Rovers striker Keena lands Player of Month award

Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena has targeted winning the golden boot after being named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March.

Keena bagged four goals in as many games during the period, including a superb hat-trick against Finn Harps.

The 22-year-old is currently the Premier Division's top scorer with a tally of five, while the Bit O’ Red remain unbeaten after the first six matches of the 2022 campaign.

"I’m delighted to win the award," he said.

"It’s been a good start to the season for us and I’ve chipped in with a few goals.

"I worked with Liam [Buckley] before at St Pat’s and I get on with him well, so I had no worries coming up here and I’ve fitted in brilliantly with the lads in the dressing room."

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international arrived at the Showgrounds from Falkirk in January, and he has gone some way to filling the void left by Johnny Kenny’s move to Celtic.

"It was a big loss when Johnny left and Sligo Rovers fans would have been looking to see how we were going to get goals, but I’ve had a good start so hopefully I can keep that going and they won’t be too worried.

"One of my aims for this season is the Golden Boot, but there are only six games gone and it’s a long season ahead."

Derry City midfielder Will Patching finished second in the voting, while Cork City’s Aaron Bolger was third.