Category: Latest News

 

Sunday
The FA Cup fourth round continued at noon on Sunday with Liverpool and Caoimhin Kelleher defeating Cardiff City and their trio of Mark McGuinness, James Collins and Joel Bagan by three goals to one at Anfield. Kelleher was rather fortunate to only receive a yellow card when committing  a foul after a rash dash from his penalty area. The late kick-off in the final round four contest produced the shock of the round with non-league Boreham Wood going through to face Everton in round five with a one nil victory at AFC Bournemouth who included Gavin Kilkenny in their side with Mark Travers an unused substitute.

New Scottish Premiership leaders Glasgow Celtic maintained  their position at the summit with a four nil victory at Motherwell where James McCarthy was an unused substitute. Jake Carroll started and was replaced  at half-time by recent signing Ross Tierney for the hosts.

RSC Anderlecht included Josh Cullen in their side for their four one Belgian First Division victory over visitors KAS Eupen late this afternoon.

Saturday
Relegation threatened duo Burnley and Watford played out a scoreless draw at Turf Moor in the Premier League early on Saturday evening. The host ‘Clarets’ included Nathan Collins and Kevin Long on their substitute bench.

The FA Cup fourth round continued on Saturday afternoon with Peterborough United defeating visitors QPR by two goals to nil. Sam Szmodics was a half time substitute for the victors as was deadline day loan signing Jeff Hendrick fir the visitors while Jimmy Dunne started in defence. Shane Long was in the Southampton side which came from behind to secure a two one extra-time victory over Coventry City. League One Wigan Athletic included deadline day signing Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven for their two nil defeat at Stoke City.  Norwich City included Adam Idah in their starting eleven for their shock one nil victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers. There was an 8pm kick-off for the meeting of Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion which saw the hosts emerge victorious by three goals to one. Matt Doherty was an 87th minute substitute for the victors while  Evan Ferguson  was introduced on 79 minutes by the visitors while Shane Duffy was unused on their substitute bench.

The Scottish Premiership saw Hibernian and Jake Doyle-Hayes go down to a one nil defeat by visitors St Mirren for whom Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan scored  the winning goal.  St Johnstone included recent signing Dan Cleary in their starting eleven for their scoreless draw with visitors Dundee United while fellow newcomer John Mahon was an unused  substitute.

Bristol City duo Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary were in Championship action at  Blackpool where they suffered a three one defeat.  Sean McLoughlin was in action for Hull City who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Preston North End for whom  Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham were in action. The late kick-off saw Swansea City defeat visitors Blackburn Rovers with the only goal scored by Michael Obafemi on 16 minutes. Ryan Manning and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie also started with Manning dismissed on 53 minutes following a second bookable offence. Darragh Lenihan captained  the defeated visitors.

There was League One action with MK Dons defeating visitors Lincoln City by two goals to one. Warren O’Hora together with loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott started for the hosts with O’Hora scoring the winning goal. Anthony Scully was in action for the visitors.  Mark Sykes and Luke McNally started for Oxford United who defeated visitors Portsmouth by three goals to two with McNally scoring the opening goal. Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett started for the the visitors with recent loan signing Aiden O’Brien an 83rd minute substitute. Current leaders Rotherham United scored the only goal to defeat visitors Accrington Stanley with Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven and Joshua Kayode a 77th minute substitute. Speculation surrounding the possible return of Roy Keane to the management role with Sunderland was very much in evidence as the ‘Makems’ and Dennis Cirkin went down to a two one defeat by bottom side Doncaster Rovers who included West Ham United loanee Ademipo Odubeko in their starting eleven at the Stadium of Light.

League Two saw Lee O’Connor and promotion chasing Tranmere Rovers held to a one all draw at Barrow while fellow promotion hopefuls Swindon Town included Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien in their side as they went down to a two one defeat by visitors Exeter City.

 

 

The January 2022 transfer window in the UK commenced on Saturday the 1st January 2022 and concluded on Monday the 31st January 2022.The final hour of the window saw moves for midfielders Jeff Hendrick and Jamie McGrath, two current internationals. Hendrick joins QPR on loan to the end of the season while McGrath has joined Wigan Athletic on a two year contract for an undisclosed fee. Throughout the window, there was some significant Irish activity, predominantly involving players from and to the Airtricity League. On the Irish domestic scene, the return of Jack Byrne from Cypriot club APOEL Nicosia to Shamrock Rovers and that of Eoin Doyle from Bolton Wanderers to St Patrick’s Athletic on a three year contract have been the highlights. The journey East to the UK has been made by a number of players with Ross Tierney and Georgie Kelly from Bohemian to Motherwell and Rotherham United respectively and the Sligo Rovers duo of Johnny Kenny to Glasgow Celtic and John Mahon to St Johnstone being the highest profile. Senior international striker Aaron Connolly has made a loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Championship side Middlesbrough while Cyrus Christie has moved on loan from Fulham to Swansea City. 

Name	From	To	Details
James Abankwah	St Patrick’s Ath	Udinese (Italy)	€500,000
James Brown	Drogheda United	Blackburn Rovers	6mth deal
Jack Byrne	APOEL Nicosia	Shamrock Rovers	Undisclosed
Killian Cahill	Shamrock Rovers	Brighton & Hove	Undisclosed
Niall Canavan	Bradford City	Barrow	Undisclosed
Harry Charsley	Mansfield Town	Port Vale	Undisclosed
Cyrus Christie	Fulham	Swansea City	EoS Loan
Daniel Cleary	Dundalk	St Johnstone	Free EoC
Aaron Connolly	Brighton & Hove	Middlesbrough	EoS Loan
Dylan Connolly	Northampton Town	Morecambe	18 mths
Rob Cornwall	Bohemian	North Colorado	EoC
Conor Coventry	West Ham United	MK Dons	EoS Loan
Ryan Delaney	Morecambe	Scunthorpe Utd	EoS Loan
Lee Desmond	St Patrick’s Ath	Sacramento Rep	EoC
Jamie Devitt	Barrow	Carlisle United	Undisclosed
Eoin Doyle	Bolton Wanderers	St Patrick’s Ath	3Yr Deal
Cathal Heffernan	Cork City	AC Milan	Loan +
Jeff Hendrick	Newcastle United	QPR	EoS Loan
Callum Kavanagh	Middlesbrough	Harrogate Town	EoS Loan
Georgie Kelly	Bohemian	Rotherham United	3Yr Deal
Johnny Kenny	Sligo Rovers	Glasgow Celtic	€150,000
John Mahon	Sligo Rovers	St Johnstone	Undisclosed
Conor Masterson	QPR	Gillingham	EoS Loan
Jamie McGrath	St Mirren	Wigan Athletic	Undisclosed
Ademipo Odubeko	West Ham United	Doncaster Rovers	EoS Loan
Aiden O’Brien	Sunderland	Portsmouth	EoS Deal
Jake O’Brien	Crystal Palace	Swindon Town	EoS Loan
Lee O’Connor	Glasgow Celtic	Tranmere Rovers	Undisclosed
Thomas O’Connor	Burton Albion	Wrexham	Undisclosed
Kieran O’Hara	Burton Albion	Fleetwood Town	EoS Deal
Corey O’Keefe	Mansfield Town	Rochdale	EoS Deal
Daniel O’Reilly	Drogheda United	Hamilton Accies	Free EoC
Killian Phillips	Drogheda United	Crystal Palace	£50,000
Christy Pym	Peterborough Utd	Stevenage	EoS Loan
Glen Rea	Luton Town	Wigan Athletic	EoS Loan
Ali Reghba	Leicester City	CR Belouizdad	Undisclosed
Lewis Richards	Wolverhampton W	Harrogate Town	EoS Loan
Kieran Sadlier	Rotherham United	Bolton Wanderers	2Yr Deal
Deji Sotona	Nice	Brentford	Undisclosed
Ross Tierney	Bohemian	Motherwell	Free EoC
Tyreik Wright	Aston Villa	Colchester Utd	EoS Loan

 

Friday
There was Championship action on Friday evening with Birmingham City and Scott Hogan going down to a two one defeat by visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan in their starting eleven with David McGoldrick an 89th minute substitute while Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane remained on their substitute bench.

Championship side Middlesbrough dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup with an 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory after the sides finished level on one goal each after extra-time in the fourth round this Friday evening. The visitors named Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly, who was not cup-tied, on their substitute bench and he was introduced at the commencement of the 30 minute extra-time period.

Wednesday
Glasgow Celtic superseded Glasgow Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table following their comprehensive three nil victory over their bitter rivals in Celtic Park this evening. James McCarthy was a 72nd minute substitute for the victors while Liam Scales was unused on the substitute bench. 

The Championship saw Cardiff City secure a one nil victory at Barnsley where Mark McGuinness was in action for the victors while James Collins and Joel Bagan were unused on their substitute bench. Huddersfield Town defeated Derby County with two late goals following a resolute performance from the visitors who were reduced to ten men following a  red card dismissal after just three minutes. Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for  the ‘Rams’ while Eiran Cashin was a 61st minute substitute.

Tuesday
The Scottish Premiership saw Hibernian and Jake Doyle-Hayes, who started, play out a scoreless draw with visitors Heart of Midlothian and unused substitute Aaron McEneff.   Livingston went down to a two one defeat by visitors St Johnstone who included Dan Cleary in their starting eleven with John Mahon making his debut as a 61st minute substitute. St Mirren included Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven alongside Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne and Alan Power for their one all draw with visitors Motherwell for whom Jake Carroll started with Ross Tierney a 40th minute substitute who scored the added time equaliser.  Jonny Hayes started and scored the goal for Aberdeen in their one all draw at Ross County.

In the Championship, Millwall and Danny McNamara played out a scoreless draw with visitors Preston North End who included Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven with Alan Browne a 79th minute substitute. Swansea City included Ryan Manning,  Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie and Michael Obafemi  in their starting eleven for their disappointing one nil defeat by visitors Luton Town.

In League One Doncaster Rovers named West Ham United loanee Ademipo Odubeko in their side for the visit of table toppers Rotherham United who crushed them by five goals to nil. Chiedoze Ogbene started and scored for the ‘Millers’  with Joshua Kayode a 70th minute substitute. Wigan Athletic included James McClean in their starting eleven for their one all draw with visitors Oxford United who included Mark Sykes  and Luke McNally in their starting eleven. New signing Jamie McGrath must await his Wigan debut while injury ruled out Will Keane.

League Two Harrogate Town included Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Lewis Richards and Middlesbrough loanee Calum Kavanagh in their side for the scoreless draw with visitors Mansfield Town. Richards was forced off through injury after just 15 minutes. Promotion chasing  Swindon Town included Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien in their side for their one all draw with visitors Crawley Town.  Lee O’Connor was in the Tranmere Rovers who defeated visitors Stevenage and goalkeeper Christy Pym by one goal to nil.

Monday
There was League One action on Monday evening with Portsmouth and their Irish quintet of Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Marcus Harness, Shaun Williams and Sean Raggett who started and 71st minute substitute Ronan Curtis playing host to Charlton Athletic who emerged from Fratton Park with a two one victory.

 

 

Sunday
The Championship continued on Sunday afternoon with Derby County coming from two goals down to secure a two all draw with visitors Birmingham City. Jason Knight started for the ‘Rams’ with Festy Ebosele  a 41st minute substitute while Scott Hogan started for the visitors and scored  their second goal on 56 minutes.  Struggling Cardiff City returned to winning form with an unexpected two one success against visitors Nottingham Forest. Mark McGuinness started for the victors with James Collins a 70th minute substitute while Joel Bagan was unused on the substitute bench.

RSC Anderlecht and Josh Cullen were seeking to recover from their unexpected midweek home defeat in the Belgian First Division when they visited current leaders Union-Saint-Gilloise early on Sunday afternoon but there was no joy for them as they went down to a one nil defeat.

Saturday
The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic score the only goal in the closing stages to defeat visitors Dundee United on Saturday afternoon. Liam Scales started but was withdrawn at half-time while James McCarthy was an 83rd minute substitute. Aaron McEneff was an unused substitute for Heart of Midlothian who defeated their visitors  Motherwell, who include Jake Carroll and Ross Tierney in their starting eleven, by two goals to nil. Hibernian named Jake Doyle-Hayes in their starting eleven as they suffered an unexpected  three two defeat by visitors Livingston.

The Championship featured Barnsley against visitors AFC Bournemouth who include Mark Travers in their starting eleven with Gavin Kilkenny  unused on their bench as they secured  a one nil victory. Hull City and Sean McLoughlin defeated their visitors Swansea City by two goals to nil. Ryan Manning, and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie started for the ‘Swans’ with Michael Obafemi a half-time substitute. Luton Town played out a scoreless draw with visitors Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly has not yet his the heights with Middlesbrough who defeated visitors Coventry City by one goal to nil  with Connolly withdrawn on 56 minutes. Danny McNamara started for Millwall who defeated visitors West Bromwich Albion by two goals to nil. Callum Robinson was a 59th minute substitute for the ‘Baggies’ while Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was unused on their bench. Preston North End include Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven for the two all draw with visitors Bristol City for whom Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary both started. Centre back Jimmy Dunne started and scored for QPR who defeated visitors Reading by four goals to nil. The late kick-off saw Sheffield United secure a comfortable two nil victory at  Peterborough United for whom Sam Szmodics was an unused substitute while John Egan and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane. started for the ‘Blades’ and David McGoldrick was a 22nd minute substitute.

In League One, Bolton Wanderers introduced new signing Kieran Sadlier from their bench on 72 minutes as they crushed visitors Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin by six goals to nil. Wigan Athletic included James McClean and Will Keane in their starting eleven for their scoreless draw at Cheltenham Town where Keane was forced off through injury on 54 minutes. Chiedoze Ogbene started and Joshua Kayode was a 65th minute substitute for Rotherham United who secured  a two nil success at  Crewe Alexandra but new signing Georgie Kelly was not yet ready to be involved. West Ham United loanee Ademipo Odubeko started for Doncaster Rovers who went down to a three one defeat by visitors Plymouth Argyle. QPR loan signing Conor Masterson was on the substitute bench for Gillingham who suffered a crushing seven two defeat by visitors Oxford United who included Luke McNally and Mark Sykes in their starting eleven at Priestfield.  Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their side as they went down to a two one defeat by visitors Burton Albion and Conor Shaughnessy. MK Dons defeated their hosts Wycombe Wanderers by one goal to nil with Daryl Horgan a 61st minute substitute while Warren O’Hora together with Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott and West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry all started for the victors.

League Two featured Colchester United playing host to Swindon Town who included Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien in their starting eleven as the sides played out a one all draw. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Lewis Richards was in the  Harrogate Town side which went down to a three nil defeat at Stevenage who included goalkeeper Christy Pym in their side. Lee O’Connor has made his loan from Glasgow Celtic to Tranmere Rovers permanent and started against table topping visitors Forest Green Rovers who criuhed their hosts by four goals to nil..

 

 

The FAI has announced two home friendly matches to be played during the March international window.

Saturday 26 March – Belgium
Tuesday 29 March – Lithuania

 

Wednesday
In the Scottish Premiership, third place Heart of Midlothian went down to a two one defeat by second place Glasgow Celtic at Tynecastle. Aaron McEneff was an unused  substitute for the hosts while James McCarthy was introduced for the final ten minutes by the victors with Liam Scales unused on their bench. Jake Doyle-Hayes and his Hibernian colleagues journied to Motherwell where they were held to a scoreless draw. Recent signing Ross Tierney was introduced from the home substitute bench on 66 minutes but was withdrawn 19 minutes later while Jake Carroll started in defence.  Daniel Cleary started for St Johnstone with midweek signing John Mahon unused on the substitute bench for the scoreless draw with visitors Dundee.

Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby were on the West Bromwich Albion substitute bench and introduced during the second half of  their two nil Championship defeat by visitors Preston North End who included Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven with Sean Maguire a 73rd minute substitute.

Josh Cullen and RSC Anderlecht suffered a surprise two nil defeat by visitors Cercle Bruges in the Belgian First Division on Wednesday evening.

Tuesday
Jamie McGrath returned to Scottish Premiership action with St Mirren in their one nil victory over visitors Aberdeen. He was joined in the starting eleven by Charles Dunne, Alan Power, Joe Shaughnessy and  Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan who scored the goal and was named ‘Man of the Match’.  

In the Championship, Birmingham City came  from two behind to secure a draw with visitors Peterborough United. Scott Hogan scored  the very late equaliser for the hosts while Jack Taylor started and Sam Szmodics. was an 86th minute substitute for the visitors. Peter Kioso was an 87th minute substitute for Luton Town who defeated visitors  Bristol City and their duo of Max O’Leary and Callum O’Dowda by two goals to one. Promotion chasing QPR and Jimmy Dunne played out a scoreless draw with visitors Swansea City who included former QPR man Ryan Manning together with Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven while Michael Obafemi was a 66th minute substitute.

Burton Albion went down to a one nil League One defeat by visitors MK Dons who included Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry from West Ham United  and Troy Parrott of Tottenham Hotspur in their starting eleven.

In the Football League Trophy, Rotherham United duo Kieran Sadlier and Joshua Kayode started  while Chiedoze Ogbene replaced Sadlier on 65 minutes of their one all draw with Cambridge United at Millmoor. The ‘Millers’ went through to the quarter-finals with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out success. 

Monday
There was Championship action on Monday evening with Blackburn Rovers climbing to second place on the League Table with a one nil victory over Ewood Park visitors Middlesbrough. Darragh Lenihan captained the hosts and had a fine game while Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly was in action for the visitors but his radar was off course with the couple of chances he had.

 

Sunday
There  was a 2pm kick-off  for three contests in the Premier League with Arsenal playing out a scoreless draw with visitors Burnley for whom Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes. Crystal Palace went down to a three one defeat by visitors Liverpool for whom Caoimhin Kelleher was an unused substitute. Chelsea defeated visitors Tottenham Hotspur by two goals to nil with Matt Doherty  given a starting berth following his positive contribution as a half-time substitute in Wednesday night’s three two victory at Leicester City.

Josh Cullen and RSC Anderlecht travelled to Mechelen in the Belgian First Division where they secured  a one nil victory this Sunday afternoon. 

Saturday
The early kick-off in the Premier League saw managerless Everton go down to a one nil defeat by visitors Aston Villa at Goodison Park where Seamus Coleman was an unused substitute for the hosts.  Leeds United welcome Newcastle United to Elland Road where Ciaran Clark, while not appearing to be in the new manager’s future plans. was included on the substitute bench alongside Jeff Hendrick. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph is on the West Ham United substitute bench at Manchester United. The late kick-off saw Southampton hold Manchester City to a one all draw with Shane Long an unused substitute on the ‘Saints’ bench while Will Smallbone remains on the injury list.

The early Championship meeting of Bristol City and Cardiff City went the way of the hosts at Ashton Gate. Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary both started for the victors while Mark McGuinness and James Collins, who scored, started for the visitors with Joel Bagan unused on their substitute bench. East Midland rivals Nottingham Forest and Derby County met at the City Ground where the hosts prevailed  by two goals to one.  Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for the visiting’ Rams’ while Eiran Cashin was unused on their substitute bench. AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers in their starting eleven with Gavin Kilkenny an unused substitute as they suffered  a shock one nil home defeat by visitors Hull city and Sean McLoughlin. Promotion chasing QPR included Jimmy Dunne in the starting eleven for their two one victory at Coventry City. John Egan and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane started for Sheffield United in their two nil victory over visitors Luton Town and Peter Kioso. Swansea City included Ryan Manning, who scored  the only goal, and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi unused on their bench for the visit of  Preston North End for whom Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started with Sean Maguire an unused substitute. West Bromwich Albion named Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby on their substitute bench and both were introduced on 75 minutes and helped spark a late three goal salvo for victory over visitors Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor started  with Sam Szmodics a 69th minute substitute.

League One promotion chasers MK Dons included Warren O’Hora, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott and new loanee arrival Conor Coventry from West Ham United in their side for the one nil defeat by visitors Doncaster Rovers. Both loanees were withdrawn on 75 minutes.  Daryl Horgan was a 75th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who suffered a three two defeat at Morecambe for whom captain Anthony O’Connor scored  their opening goal. Mark Sykes and Oxford United came from behind to defeat visitors Sheffield Wednesday by three goals to two. Anthony Scully and Lincoln City made the lengthy journey to Plymouth Argyle where they also came from behind to secure a two one victory. Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven with  Joshua Kayode unused on the bench for their one nil victory over visitors Cheltenham Town. Dennis Cirkin and Sunderland defeated visitors Portsmouth by one goal to nil. ‘Pompey’ included Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett in their starting eleven with Curtis withdrawn on 71 minutes. Wigan Athletic duo Will Keane and James McClean started against their visitors Gillingham with Keane scoring twice in their three two victory which sees them return to the top of the table.

The 1pm League Two meeting of Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers featured Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien in action with the hosts who were held to a one all draw. Crawley Town went down top a one nil defeat by visitors Tranmere Rovers and their Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Lewis Richards was in the Harrogate Town side for their three nil defeat of visitors Oldham Athletic.

The Scottish Cup fourth round saw St Mirren secure a two nil victory at  Ayr United with Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven but Jamie McGrath, who is in some conflict with the club, was missing again. The late kick-off featured League One Alloa Athletic and Glasgow Celtic who included Liam Scales  in their starting eleven with James McCarthy a half time substitute in their two one victory.