McGonigle, Haveron and McDaniel win NIFWA awards

Limavady United striker Jamie McGonigle has been named September's player of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

After an unbeaten month, Larne boss Gary Haveron claimed the manager of the month award.

In the Women's Premiership, the Football Writers named Cliftonville midfielder Louise McDaniel as September's best player, while Annagh United's Craig Taylor claimed the Championship award.

McGonigle, who is on loan at promoted Limavady from Coleraine, scored five goals in September, including a superb hat-trick against Bangor.

The 30-year-old, who won the award ahead of Linfield's Adam Frizzell and Larne's Matthew Lusty, said he was "delighted" to win the award.

"I would like to thank the Football Writers' for selecting me and all my teammates at Limavady for welcoming me to the club," he said.

Larne bounced back from their European heartbreak to have an unbeaten September in the Irish Premiership, and that earned Haveron the September award.

There were league wins over Glentoran, Bangor, Portadown, Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers, while the Inver Reds also dispatched Newington in the County Antrim Shield.

"It was heartbreaking to be just seven minutes away from group-stage football and for it to go wrong, so it was vital we bounced back," Haveron said.

"To win six games in a month is very special. It showed how resilient we are as a group of players and staff, and they deserve all the credit for this award."

In the Women's Premiership, McDaniel played a key role as Cliftonville won the title for the third time in five years.

The Northern Ireland international, who returned to the club in May after a spell at Burnley, said the award "solidifies" both the form of the Reds and her own personal performances.

"There's a lot of competition in our team. It's down to my team-mates for pushing me, and me pushing them, and my form has come from there.

"We were delighted to win the league, and because we won it with a few games to spare we were able to enjoy it and take in the moment.

"For the club to win the treble would be incredible. We've done it once before so to do it again would be unbelievable."

The Reds will look to complete the treble against Glentoran in the Women's Irish Cup final on 24 October.

Taylor scored three goals and had several assists for title challengers Annagh United, who had an unbeaten September in the Championship.

"I'm really pleased to win this award, as it was a good month for the team and for myself personally," he said.

"We made a bit of a slow start to the season, so going through September unbeaten was important."