By Callum McFadden
The Sports Direct Premiership has thrown up more twists and turns and is on the cusp of a dramatic climax, with a three-horse title race at one end, a tense fight for a European Play-Off place in the middle and a dogfight to escape the relegation battle at the bottom.
Some existing stars have continued to shine bright throughout it all, while other fresher faces have also left their mark on things all across the division.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the top performers throughout the 2023/24 top-flight campaign.
Leroy Millar – Larne, attacking midfielder, 28 years old
Having a midfielder who can score goals and create them in equal measure is useful for any team, particularly so for a team going for the league title.
Millar was a standout in his debut season at Larne last season when they won their first Gibson Cup, and he has carried on where he left off this season.
If the Invermen are to retain the title, then keeping Millar fit will be vitally important.
Benji Magee – Loughgall, striker, 21 years old
Playing for a newly promoted club as a striker can be a difficult experience because you are adapting to a new level while playing in a team widely considered as underdogs.
However, Dean Smith’s men quickly changed that attitude towards them by beating Larne early into the campaign and by carrying that form on to see them pushing for the top six.
Magee, who scored the late winner in that 1-0 triumph over the Inver Reds at Lakeview Park, has been a massive part of that.
He has scored 15 league goals, and at just 21 years of age, the sky appears to be the limit for the talented striker.
Ethan McGee – Linfield, right-back, 21 years old
McGee started the season at Dungannon Swifts and made such an impression at right-back that both Larne and Linfield battled for his signature in the January transfer window.
The Blues won the face for his services and David Healy will be delighted to have the defender as he certainly has bags of potential while also being more than capable of contributing to the Linfield team in the here and now.
Ronan Hale – Cliftonville, striker, 21 years old
A fantastic footballer who can score all types of goals while creating chances and assisting his team-mates from all across the pitch.
Hale was injured at the start of the season, but he has been exceptional since returning to the side.
He has scored goals, claimed a hat-trick in the Irish Cup against Coleraine and won a Player of the Month award.
There is a lot of interest in Scotland and England in him, but Jim Magilton will be overjoyed to have him secured until the end of this season at the very least.
Tomas Cosgrove – Larne, right-back, 31 years old
A leader in Tiernan Lynch’s side, even if he is no longer the captain.
A right-back with vast experience and the ability to play at centre back in a back three, his experience has been invaluable to Larne.
Scored the winner in the Country Antrim Shield Final to showcase his ability in both boxes.
Ben Wilson – Cliftonville, striker, 22 years old
The top scorer in the NIFL Premiership so far this season and arguably the signing of the season too having joined the Reds from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer.
Wilson has scored an array of goals both inside and outside the box to help Cliftonville challenge for the title and the Irish Cup.
Matthew Lusty – Dungannon Swifts, striker, 20 years old
A Larne loanee who has excelled under Rodney McAree at Dungannon by scoring goals and contributing to an upturn in form at the club with his all-round play.
At 20, his best years are ahead of him, but he has shown that he is tailor-made for the Irish League already.
David Odumosu – Cliftonville, goalkeeper, 22 years old
Most teams have an ambition to play out from the back and Odumosu has been crucial to allowing Jim Magilton’s side to do just that.
He isn’t just good with his feet either; he has kept the joint-most clean sheets in the league so far, which is why Reds fans will be delighted that he has now signed on a permanent deal at the club following an initial loan from St Patrick’s Athletic.
Chris Shields – Linfield, central midfielder, 33 years old
The 33-year-old has been invaluable since arriving at Windsor Park from Dundalk in 2021.
He is a natural leader for David Healy’s men and has added more goals to his game this season, which is an added bonus.
His pedigree in the league isn’t in doubt as he has shown by winning Ulster Footballer of the Year, NIFWA Player of the Year and Linfield’s Player of the Year in their Premiership-winning 2021/22 campaign.
He shows no signs of slowing up any time soon and has penned a new two-year contract to remain at the club, which will be music to the ears of Blues fans.
David Cushley – Carrick Rangers, forward, 34 years old
The experience of Cushley has been vital for Stuart King’s side this season.
He has scored some vital goals this season, including the winner against Dungannon Swifts in September, and by scoring a vital goal at the Coleraine Showgrounds as Carrick defeated Oran Kearney’s men at that’s venue for the first time in three decades.
Featured image from Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker.
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