Cliftonville star Jamie McDonagh is celebrating a unique double today after winning both the Danske Bank Player of the Month and NIFWA’s Goal of the Month awards for January.
McDonagh helped himself to five goals last month as the Reds maintained their challenge in the Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup and near the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
He bagged a memorable goal from distance in a 2-1 defeat to Glentoran live on Sky and followed it up with a clinical brace in a 2-2 draw with Linfield at Solitude.
Another double followed in last week’s 2-2 draw at Ballymena to keep Paddy McLaughlin’s men in the title mix with Glentoran and Linfield.
“It's a very proud moment for me and I'm very happy to win my first ever Player of the Month award from the Football Writers and Danske Bank,” said McDonagh.
“But I couldn't have done it without my teammates and Paddy McLaughlin who fills me with confidence every game I play.
“It's great to show the league how well I can play but I want to keep improving and try and help the team as much as I can.”
Jamie also picked up the NIFWA Goal of the Month prize for his spectacular strike against Ballymena United, the first of a stunning brace at the Warden Street Showgrounds.
Latching onto Levi Ives’ half cleared corner just outside the area, the 25-year-old arrowed an unstoppable, first time volley into the back of the net.
“Since Conor McDermott came in at right back it's given me a bit more freedom to go forward and work inside,” said McDonagh
“I had only scored one goal before the new year and in January I got five so it's paying off.
“A lot of it is down to the style of football we're playing as a team but also the freedom Paddy has given me to play with."
McDonagh, who joined Cliftonville from Glentoran in August, pipped Dungannon Swifts striker Darragh McBrien and Crusaders defender Josh Robinson to the top player award.
