Galway United striker Karl Sheppard has been named the Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for April after he netted four times in eight games for Sean Connor’s side
Sheppard, 19, began the month by netting in a 2-2 draw against Sporting Fingal before producing a man of the match performance in Galway’s 3-2 win over Bohemians as he scored twice and won the match-winning penalty.
He added a further goal against Bray Wanderers though his link-up play also earned him rave reviews as he had a hand in all of strike partner Anto Flood’s five goals during the month as well.
Sheppard grew up in Dublin playing for schoolboy club Portmarnock before joining Shelbourne where his form alerted Everton who paid €150,000 to bring him to Goodison Park in 2007.
A regular in the Toffees’ youth and reserve sides, he decided to return home this season joining Galway, initially on loan until his Everton contract runs out this summer.