Conor McCormack named SSE Airtricity/SWAI player of the month for April

Conor McCormack's performances have been so impressive to date during his time with Cork City he has been compared to Chelsea star N'Golo Kante.

For the second month in succession, the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award has been awarded to a Cork City man, as McCormack picked up the award for the month of April.

McCormack is easily the signing of the season to date in the League Of Ireland and he has most certainly made his presence felt in the City midfield since arriving on Leeside ahead of the 2017 season.

The man who spent a period at Manchester United as a youth team player has been solid.

His reading of the game, his tackling and his distribution have helped him to produce consistently impressive displays for the Leesiders this season, who look unstoppable at the moment in their pursuit of Premier Division glory.

Speaking to the assembled media in City's Bishopstown training ground after picking up his award on Wednesday morning, the former Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City player described how the strength in depth of the squad has been a key factor in the incredible run Cork have been on.

He also feels that one of his teammates could have just as easily won the April player of the month accolade.

"Having such a strong squad helps every player,” McCornack told reporters.

“You always have to perform because if you don't, there is a fella just as good who can come in.

"I have really enjoyed my few months down in Cork so far. I have really settled in here and obviously the performances have been decent and we are winning games and everyone is happy when you are winning games. So hopefully it can stay that way.

"Seani [Maguire] got this award last month and I got it this month, but there is a lot of players in the team that could have deserved it.

“We are going well, we are keeping clean sheets and we are scoring goals, so there are a good few players that could have won it this month."

There is a fantastic feel good factor around the city and county of Cork at the moment, largely caused by the good fortunes of The Rebel Army. The crowds have been coming out in force in Turners Cross this campaign.

Giving his thoughts on playing every second week in front of a crowd like the one on Leeside, McCormack said it gives players an added incentive to go out and perform on match nights.

"It's unreal. The fans come out in their numbers. Each week they support us and especially so at home, where they make a great atmosphere for us.

“They give us that little bit of edge when we need it sometimes. So it has been great to play home games at a ground like Turners Cross.

Meanwhile City manager Caulfield expressed his satisfaction at McCormack picking up the award, and he feels he is a player who perfectly matches the identity of the club.

"This season our supporters have seen how good he is and how versatile he can be.

"Picking up the player of the month award is great for Conor and long may his good performances continue. Conor is a special player and he is a real Cork City type of player."

City will look to maintain their winning streak on Friday night and make it 13 wins out of 13, when they make the trip west to face Galway United.