National League Player and Coach Of The Month awards announced for October

The opening month of the MissQuote.ie and InsureMyVan.ie Super League and National League is in the books and the first 'Player and Coach of The Month' awards have been decided. 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell have been in tremendous form to begin the MissQuote.ie Super League, winning their first six games until their streak ended against Killester last time out. Crucial to that has been the drive of club taliswoman Edel Thornton. The Irish international captain has helped gel a new look side together, contributing 17.4ppg along with 5.8 rebounds per game and 4.6 assists. Thornton picked up a facial injury in that defeat to Killester and it remains to be seen the extent of that injury, but she remains an indispensible cog for the Cork side. University of Galway Mystics Kara McCleane missed time after sustaining an injury herself in their opening game, but has averaged a double-double in her three appearances to date and takes second spot, with FloMAX Liffey Celtics Sorcha Tiernan in third.

Coach of The Month honours are bestowed upon Karl Kilbride as he led his FloMAX Liffey Celtics to an unbeaten 6-0 record and top of the MissQuote.ie Super League table.

Belfast Star have had the hot hand in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League and that is reflected in the awards with Tamyrik Fields, De'Ondre Jackson and head coach Adrian Fulton all recognised. Fields and Jackson in particular have been spectacular despite Jackson only coming in because of a last minute injury. The duo are giving Fulton a combined 52 points per game, while Fields is also proving his worth on the boards with 8.8 rebounds per game through five weeks. Jackson's athleticism has been exceptional, proving that his addition could work out well in the long run. Third place goes to Shawndale Jones of Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU. 

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions are still finding their rhythm in the MissQuote.ie Division One, but Sydney Kin has wasted no time in adjusting to life in Clondalkin. She leads the league in total points, rebounds and blocks and is the lynchpin to Rob White's plans for success this season. Templeogue lead the MissQuote.ie Division One North Conference following an outstanding start that sees them 5-0 and unbeaten against all their conference rivals. Experienced Lynn Tunnah has come up big for her side in tight moments, none more so than in overtime to secure the win over iSecure Swords Thunder and she's voted into second place, with Scout Frame of Limerick Sport Huskies in third. The aforementioned iSecure Swords Thunder have enjoyed a early season surge in form under rookie head coach Paul Carr and he has been given Coach of The Month for their 4-1 start.  

Braden Bell is another player averaging a double-double through four games, taking Player of The Month honours in the InsureMyVan.ie Division One. The guard has 29.8 points per game, 11.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists in Scotts Lakers Killarney's 3-2 start in the South Conference. Shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc his ability to hit a clutch three has also proved very useful to the Kerry outfit. Ravel Moody might count himself unlucky to miss out given his role in Portlaoise Panthers road to 5-0. Moody has shot the ball efficiently but also plays hard on defence and has been tasked with guarding the opposition's best players by Coach of The Month Jack Scully. The returning Adam Mullally might only be with Drogheda Wolves until Christmas, but he is making the most of his stay and is voted into third place. 

October Player and Coach of The Month Awards

InsureMyVan.ie Super League

Players – 1^st  Tamyrik Fields (Belfast Star) / 2^nd De’ondre Jackson (Belfast Star) / 3^rd Shawndale Jones (Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU)

Coach – Adrian Fulton (Belfast Star)

MissQuote.ie Super League

Players – 1^st Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell) / 2^nd Kara McCleane (University of Galway Mystics) / 3^rd Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics)

Coach – Karl Kilbride (FloMAX Liffey Celtics)

InsureMyVan.ie Division One

Players – 1^st Braden Bell (Scotts Lakers) / 2^nd Ravel Moody (Portlaoise) / 3^rd Adam Mullally (Drogheda)

Coach – Jack Scully (Portlaoise)

MissQuote.ie Division One

Players – 1^st Sydney Kin (Abbey Seals Dublin Lions) / 2^nd Lynn Tunnah (Templeogue) / 3^rd Scout Frame (Limerick Sport Huskies)

Coach – Paul Carr (iSecure Swords Thunder)