With a return of four goals from five games, Megan Smyth-Lynch was always going to be a frontrunner to pick up the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Player of the Month Award for March.The Shelbourne midfielder topped the voting ahead of Shamrock Rovers ace Jaime Thompson and Peamount United defender Jetta Berrill following her outstanding start to the 2023 season.It's not just the fact that Smyth-Lynch scored crucial goals for The Reds, it is how she executed them. With two delightful chipped efforts against Cork City added to a neat left-footed finish and a cushioned header against Peamount United, she led many people to hit playback on LOITV to watch the goals again.With Shelbourne sitting two points behind leaders Peamount, there is still work to do to keep their three-in-a-row bid alive but a positive start has Smyth-Lynch believing that capturing more silverware is achievable.Smyth-Lynch said: "It's a great feeling to win the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month Award. We started the season really well and picked up a couple of good wins. Obviously with this award there are 10 other players on the pitch with myself so I couldn't have done it without them.
"Noel King has been brilliant since I've come in last season. He's really helped me individually and the team as well with his experience. If you reflect on last season, winning two Cups - the FAI Cup and the League - the question is can we get that third League title in a row?"There is plenty to play for this year and we want to win everything. Yes it's a massive target, we want to aim high and see where it takes us. But I just want to keep performing well for Shelbourne, contribute to the team on a weekly basis and see where that takes me."Leanne Sheill, SSE Airtricity Marketing Manager, said: “Congratulations to Megan Smyth-Lynch on being named the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month for March. Megan has had a great start to the season and scored several important goals helping Shelbourne to second in the League so far. It’s already shaping up to be a very competitive year again so we can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds. "We’re delighted to have begun our third year sponsoring the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division and we look forward to continuing our efforts of increasing awareness and participation in women’s football in Ireland. We would like to wish all of the teams in the League the best of luck with the season ahead.”
