Baxter and Hoban win NIFWA January awards
Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter and Glentoran striker Pat Hoban have won January's Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association awards.
Carrick Rangers made a dreadful start to the new year as they lost 7-0 to Glentoran at Taylors Avenue, a game in which Hoban scored six goals.
However, Baxter's men fought back with league wins against Cliftonville, Dungannon Swifts and Portadown, and they also won the County Antrim Shield for the club's first senior trophy in 33 years.
"I'm sure I'm the first manager to win this award despite losing the first match of the month 7-0," said Baxter.
"I believe the key to our recent success is that we did not panic or get too down on ourselves when we were losing games. I always knew we had the quality to be competitive in this league.
"Winning the Shield was a great moment for everyone at the club, particularly the supporters who waited 33 years for a senior trophy."
For Hoban, his six goals against Carrick helped him to a nine-goal haul for the month as he also netted against Dungannon Swifts and twice against Strabane Athletic in the Irish Cup.
The 34-year-old won the Irish Premiershp Player of the Month award ahead of Carrick forward Adam Lecky and Glentoran midfielder Cammy Palmer.
"As a striker I've always backed myself to score goals. I'm obviously delighted to have 20 in 25 games, although I feel like I probably should have more. I've missed a few chances in certain games, but that's the nature of the job. Overall, it's been a good return so far.
"These awards are nice to receive and it's good recognition for the work you're doing, but I wouldn't be in this position without my teammates. They're the ones putting balls into the box and creating chances for me."
H&W Welders striker Ethan Devine won the Championship player of the month after an impressive month.
The former Linfield and Ballymena United forward scored an incredible nine goals in the month, including a six-minute hat-trick against Armagh City.
