Burton Albion defender Ryan Delaney has been named in the League of Ireland team of the season by pundits at RTE Soccer after his successful loan spell with Cork City.
The centre-back rounded off a season in his native Republic of Ireland with an FAI Cup on Sunday to add to Cork's League of Ireland title.
And now Delaney and defensive partner Alan Bennett have been rewarded for their heroics at the back with a spot in the team of the season alongside goalkeeper Mark McNulty.
Delaney made 30 appearances in the league and scored an impressive six goals, with RTE saying "his partnership (with Bennett) was very, very good."
"He guided him through it, he learned as the season went on. He was key to Cork's start to the league.
"They won 21 games out of 22 and he was a major part of that."
The 21-year-old will return to Burton in January after taking a break due to the nature of the summer football calendar in Ireland.
Delaney posted a message of thanks to Cork and their supporters on social media on Wednesday evening.
"I want to thank everybody at Cork City for a fantastic year," it read.
"It has been a please to play at the Cross. Winning the double was an unbelievable feeling, and I want to wish everyone at the club the very best for the future."
"It's helped me so much.
"There have been different experiences that helped me improve as a player and become more confident on the pitch, and as a person.
"Just being at Cork City, a great club, some great people have helped me along the way."
