Glenavon striker Mark Farren wins monthly award

Glenavon striker Mark Farren has won the Irish Premiership player of the month award after scoring five goals for the Lurgan club in April.

Derry City's all-time leading scorer found the net in matches against Dungannon Swifts, Lisburn Distillery, Portadown and Ballymena United.

Farren said he hoped to come back fitter and stronger in August and help Glenavon finish higher in the table.

"I have not done a proper pre-season in three seasons," he revealed.

Dundela forward Ben Roy won the Championship award

"So I am still only playing at about 50% of what I am capable of, so during summer the aim is to build myself back up.

"Glenavon are a great club. It was exactly what I needed after leaving Derry - a club where I could find myself again and get back into the scoring habit."

The Championship player of the month was Dundela forward Ben Roy who also won the award in December.

Roy scored a superb hat-trick against Carrick Rangers, hitting two against Ards and also got a goal against Limavady United.

"The manager has stuck by me, even when I have not been playing well," said Roy.

"Thankfully, I have been scoring goals - the ball keeps dropping to me and I just hit it.

"This has been my best season - I am just disappointed we are not higher up the table after our great start. "

The Duns are currently fourth in the table, while Roy is the division's top scorer.

Belleek NIFWA awards, April 2013

Player of the month: 1 Mark Farren (Glenavon); 2 Liam Boyce (Cliftonville), 3 David Magowan (Crusaders)

Championship player: 1 Ben Roy (Dundela); 2 James Cully (Ards); 3 Stephen McCabe (Warrenpoint Town)

Goal of the month: David Cushley (Ballymena United)