Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly is the Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for November.

 

Kelly was presented with the November Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month trophy by Konstantine Trautman of Airtricity Sales this afternoon (Monday, December 6). The presentation took place at the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin.

 

30-year-old Kelly played a key role in Sligo Rovers' FAI Cup final triumph over Shamrock Rovers. The Co Mayo man rewrote the history books by saving all four of the Hoops’ penalties during a dramatic shootout to send the trophy West.

 

It was a remarkable achievement and Sligo fans at Aviva Stadium were left pinching themselves afterwards. Kelly's heroics also helped avenge Sligo's dramatic defeat to Sporting Fingal in the 2009 final in Tallaght Stadium.

 

"Personally, it's great to win this award," said Kelly. "But it's also a great thing for the club as my team-mate Richie Ryan won the Airtricity/SWAI award for October last month. It caps off a great season for Sligo Rovers.

 

"It has been a real whirlwind since the FAI Cup final, but it just goes to show how much a team like Sligo appreciates winning a trophy - that's how real it is.

 

"It's still a little bit surreal but that just makes you want to win it again, and win other trophies. It's hard to put into words how much a success like that means to the people in Sligo and also the West of Ireland.

 

“I could never have dreamed the match would end that way for me and the club, but it's fantastic and the type of thing you dream about all your career," added Kelly.

 

Kelly came back into the Sligo team this season following injury to regular No 1 keeper Richard Brush who was ruled out for the season – but Kelly quickly made the jersey his own with a series of impressive and commanding displays.

 

He played a key role as Paul Cook's team finished the Airtricity League season with a flourish. By the end of the campaign, Sligo had rocketed up the table and was the form team in the Premier Division.

 

Kelly was also pivotal to the club's drive for Europe as Sligo secured third place in the top flight to book their ticket for the Europa League next season.  Kelly will hope to be part of that adventure and has been in contract talks with Sligo in recent weeks.

 

Kelly – from Annfield, Hollymount, Co Mayo – is in his second spell with Sligo and counts Derry City, Galway United and Athlone Town among his former clubs.