Derry City midfielder Kevin Deery has been named as the Eircom/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland player of the month for August, a month in which the 21-year-old produced a string of fine performances both at home and in Europe for his club.

The Ireland under-21 international played a key part in his club's progress in both the National League and FAI Cup but it was for his two goals in Motherwell against Gretna in the Uefa Cup that he really made the headlines.

"The Gretna night was special,"said Deery yesterday. "To score two goals like that in a game so important was amazing. To win 5-1 capped it all off because with the supporters coming all the way to watch us and make the noise they did."

After another impressive display against Shelbourne in the FAI Cup Deery was singled out by Paris St German manager Guy Lacombe as one of the players his side will have to be wary of when they take on City in the first leg of their Uefa Cup first-round tie tomorrow night.

His league form also helped City maintain their challenge to the Tolka Park outfit at the top of the table.