Will Patching enjoyed a superb maiden season in the Irish League last season and ended with a spot in NIFWA's Team of the Year. This term, no midfielder has made more passes than Patching (581) while team-mate Ben Doherty and Adam Frizzell (both 22) are the only two players with more key passes than the Coleraine ace (21). With three assists, Patching sits behind only Doherty, Frizzell and Paul Heatley (all four) on that chart.placeholder image
Will Patching enjoyed a superb maiden season in the Irish League last season and ended with a spot in NIFWA's Team of the Year. This term, no midfielder has made more passes than Patching (581) while team-mate Ben Doherty and Adam Frizzell (both 22) are the only two players with more key passes than the Coleraine ace (21). With three assists, Patching sits behind only Doherty, Frizzell and Paul Heatley (all four) on that chart.

RANKED: Every Premiership club's top performer this season so far according to data

Johnny Morton
By Johnny Morton

Sports Journalist

Published 29th Oct 2026, 16:52 GMT

It has been a thrilling start to another Premiership season with goals aplenty and even some big-name arrivals – but who has been the best performer at every club so far?

With every team having now played each other this term, it feels like a good time for a bit of reflection and a look at the data.

Sofascore provides a score out of 10 for each Premiership player in every match, allowing us to see who they rank as the top players – check out below what they reckon!

NOTE: Players had to have featured in at least nine matches to qualify and data is for Premiership only.

Carrick Rangers are enjoying another impressive Premiership campaign and Paul Heatley has been at the centre of it. The 39-year-old is showing age is just a number, scoring six goals and providing four assists in nine matches. The Irish League legend has netted in each of his last three games.

5. Carrick Rangers - Paul Heatley

Carrick Rangers are enjoying another impressive Premiership campaign and Paul Heatley has been at the centre of it. The 39-year-old is showing age is just a number, scoring six goals and providing four assists in nine matches. The Irish League legend has netted in each of his last three games. Photo: DESMOND LOUGHERY

Photo Sales
Summer signing David Walsh has kept three clean sheets for Ballymena United and produced 28 saves for Oran Kearney's side. The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last six league matches alongside securing BetMcLean Cup progression past Newington.

6. Ballymena United - David Walsh

Summer signing David Walsh has kept three clean sheets for Ballymena United and produced 28 saves for Oran Kearney's side. The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last six league matches alongside securing BetMcLean Cup progression past Newington. Photo: Andrew McCarroll

Photo Sales
Another goalkeeper on the list, Cliftonville's PJ Morrison has made 57 saves so far this season, which puts him just one behind the league's leader - more on him later! The 28-year-old has started in all 13 league matches for Jim Magilton's side and signed a new contract extension.

7. Cliftonville - PJ Morrison

Another goalkeeper on the list, Cliftonville's PJ Morrison has made 57 saves so far this season, which puts him just one behind the league's leader - more on him later! The 28-year-old has started in all 13 league matches for Jim Magilton's side and signed a new contract extension. Photo: DESMOND LOUGHERY

Photo Sales
Crusaders appear to have unearthed another gem in Owen Wardell. The Scottish winger made a rapid start to the season, scoring in wins over Ballymena United and Glentoran before providing an assist against Coleraine. The 21-year-old netted once again as Declan Caddell's side beat Bangor last month. Wardell has been the best dribbler in the Irish League this season, completing 59 dribbles - 16 more than second-placed Danny Gibson.

8. Crusaders - Owen Wardell

Crusaders appear to have unearthed another gem in Owen Wardell. The Scottish winger made a rapid start to the season, scoring in wins over Ballymena United and Glentoran before providing an assist against Coleraine. The 21-year-old netted once again as Declan Caddell's side beat Bangor last month. Wardell has been the best dribbler in the Irish League this season, completing 59 dribbles - 16 more than second-placed Danny Gibson. Photo: PACEMAKER BELFAST

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:Premiership
News you can trust since 1737
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice