Steven Bradley’s fantastic start to life in a Dundalk shirt has been recognised by the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland who have named him the SWAI SSE Airtricity Player of the Month award for February.
The 19-year-old winger, who is on a season-long loan deal from Hibernian, scored Dundalk’s first goal of the campaign against Derry City on February 18th and followed that up with the equaliser against Bohemians at Dalymount Park a week later and a brace in the 3-0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park 72 hours later.
Bradley saw off competition from Derry City’s Jamie McGonigle, who finished second in the voting, and Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty in third, to become the first Dundalk player to win the award since David McMillan at the end of the 2020 season.
“To win Player of the Month is a massive achievement,” Bradley said. “It’s been a great start for me personally, but the team has gelled really well in the first few games considering half of us hadn’t played together before a month ago.
“I’m delighted with how everything is going at the moment. I wanted to come over here to express myself and show people what I can do. I’ve not really had the chance to play a lot of first-team football, so I just wanted to come here and show my ability.”
The teenager, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on St Patrick’s Day, is thankful to Dundalk head coach Stephen O’Donnell, his new teammates and the fans for welcoming him with open arms.
“All the boys have been great with me ever since the first day I came in,” he added. “It’s my first time moving away from home and they’ve made me feel really settled. The gaffer has been brilliant as well.”
