May 4, 2024

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Revealed: The 2021/22 Cymru Premier Team of the Season as four Saints players named

OSWESTRY, WALES - 12 MARCH 2022: The New Saints' celebrate Penybont's Lewis Harling own goal to make it 2-2 during the Second Phase of the JD Cymru Premier / Championship Conference league fixture between The New Saints FC & Penybont FC, Park Hall, Oswestry, Wales, March 12th, 2022. (Pic By John Smith/FAW)

The JD Cymru Premier Team of the Season has been revealed, with four New Saints players making the final squad.

As voted for by the managers and captains of the teams in the Cymru Premier, an 11 of what they believe was the best team in the division have been named. 

As well as four TNS players, there are two inclusions each from Bala Town and Penybont, whilst Caernarfon Town, Connah’s Quay, and Newtown are represented. 

Connahs Quay goalkeeper Oliver Byrne celebrates after the penalty shootout. Cardiff Metropolitan University v Connahs Quay in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final at Bryntirion Park on the 6th February 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell

In goals is Oliver Byrne of Connah’s Quay, who kept 18 clean sheets in the 30 league matches he played for the Nomads. Byrne was the hero in the penalty shootout with Cardiff Met, successfully scoring his spot kick and saving Alex Lang’s to win the Nathaniel MG Cup.

The chosen formation of 5-3-2 accommodates wing-backs, from the same club Penybont. On the right-hand side is Mael Davies, who won the Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive campaign.

Davies played 25 times in the league this year, scoring two goals as Bont finished in the top six for a second consecutive season. He also put in a solid display for Wales C in their 4-0 win over England but picked up an injury that ended his season. 

On the opposite flank is Kane Owen, named in the team for a second year in a row. Bont’s captain played 30 times for Rhys Griffiths’ side this season and got three goals and five assists from his role as left wing-back. 

In what is a three-man central defence, Danny Davies, who played a variety of roles is one of the first centre-backs. Davies played there for Wales C, keeping a clean sheet but also played as a wing-back. He played 24 times and got three assists and a goal. 

Alongside of him is Bala Town centre-back Nathan Peate. Peate featured 29 times for the Lakesiders and was a goalscoring centre-back, scoring seven goals, whilst also keeping 12 clean sheets.

Finishing off the defensive backline is Caernarfon Town skipper Dion Donohue. The 28-year-old enjoyed a first full season back in Welsh football after years in the Football League. Donohue played 25 times for the Canaries getting three goals and an assist. He was a losing finalist in the award for the Player of the Year, but will be happy to have led Huw Griffiths’ side to play-off joy.

CAERNARFON, WALES – 30 MARCH 2022 – Will Evans gives Cymru the 1-0 lead at Cymru C vs England C International Friendly at The Oval, Caernarfon (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

Making up a two-man central midfield is Ryan Brobbel, who is named in the team again for the third consecutive year. Brobbel was a Player of the Year contender, playing 28 times with 12 goals and three assists. 

Alongside of him is his TNS teammate Danny Redmond who played a game more with two goals and three assists to his name. 

An attack-minded front three makes up the forward line with Lifumpa Mwandwe on the right-flank and Will Evans of Bala Town on the left. 

Mwandwe, a nominee for the Young Player award, scored seven goals and got three assists as the Robins qualified for the Europa Conference League for a second season in a row.

Evans, who is rumoured to be moving to League Two outfit Newport County, scored a brace for Wales C against England and for his club got 11 goals and four assists in 24 league appearances this season.

Golden Boot winner Declan McManus, scored 24 goals in 28 appearances in his first season in the league after joining for a club-record fee from Dunfermline Athletic fronts up the team. The 27-year-old won the Golden Boot award and was named the Player of the Year also.

The 2021/22 Cymru Premier Team of the Season

GK: Oliver Byrne (Connah’s Quay Nomads), CB: Danny Davies (The New Saints), CB: Nathan Peate (Bala Town), CB: Dion Donohue (Caernarfon Town), RWB: Mael Davies (Penybont), Ryan Brobbel (The New Saints), Danny Redmond (The New Saints), LWB: Kane Owen (Penybont), RW: Lifumpa Mwnadwe (Newtown), ST: Declan McManus (The New Saints), LW: Will Evans (Bala Town)

The 2021/22 Cymru Premier Manager of the Year: Anthony Limbrick (The New Saints)

The 2021/22 Cymru Premier Player of the Year: Declan McManus (The New Saints)

The 2021/22 Cymru Premier Young Player of the Year: Mael Davies (Penybont)

(Pic By John Smith/FAW)

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