Daniel Cleary has been awarded the SSE Airtricity League/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for August.

It's the first time the Dundalk defender has claimed the monthly prize since joining Dundalk at the start of the 2018 campaign.

"The last time I was nominated for the award was back in February 2018 after my first couple of games, so it was great to be nominated again and I’m delighted to win it," said Cleary, after receiving the award.

The 23-year-old was a commanding presence for the Lilywhites in his six appearances in all competitions, helping them maintain their lead at the top of the Premier Division while booking an FAI Cup quarter-final spot and reaching the EA Sports Cup final.

Dubliner Cleary, a former Liverpool academy player, also scored three goals during wins over Derry City and UCD.

"I’ve learned a lot in the last 18 months or so since arriving in the SSE Airtricity League," Cleary added. "I’ve grown as a player during that period but I think I’ve got more to give and I’m looking forward to showing that."

The Louth club face Derry City in the EA Sports Cup final this Saturday and, with an FAI Cup semi-final tie with Sligo Rovers booked, the treble is very much on the cards.

"We’re in flying form at the moment," said Cleary. “Since we were knocked out of Europe, we have kicked on in the domestic competitions.

"There’s no point thinking three or four games ahead when we’ve got another big one against Derry this weekend and an important league match at Waterford next Friday.

"We’ll just take it game by game and see where that leaves us at the end of the season."

David Parkhouse of Derry City finished runner-up in the voting, while Dundalk team-mate Michael Duffy was third.