Category: Latest News

 

Friday
Relegation candidates Watford and Norwich City were in Premier League action on Friday evening. The visiting ‘Canaries’ included weekend goal scorer Adam Idah in their starting eleven and he made a significant contribution to their three nil victory.

Thursday
Liverpool progressed to the final of the EFL Cup with a two nil second leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this evening. Caoimhin Kelleher started for the victors and, but for one excellent save from a free-kick, had very little to do.  

Wednesday
Leicester City conceded twice in added time to suffer a stunning three two defeat by visitors Tottenham Hotspur  in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. Matt Doherty was a half-time substitute for the victors and made a telling contribution.

Hull City and Sean McLoughlin caused a Championship upset with a two nil victory over high flying visitors Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan this Wednesday evening. Twenty two year old wing back Peter Kioso was in the Luton Town side which secured a two nil victory at Reading. Kioso spent the first half of the season on loan at MK Dons but was recalled by his parent club and was straight into first team action on his return. 

Tuesday
Brighton & Hove Albion played out a one all draw with visitors Chelsea in the Premier League this Tuesday evening. Injury ruled Shane Duffy out of contention for the hosts while young Evan Ferguson was unused  on the substitute bench.

Current Championship leaders Fulham crushed Birmingham City and 64th minute substitute Scott Hogan by six goals to two at Craven Cottage. Preston North End included Alan Browne in their starting eleven and he scored in their two all draw with visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan, Enda Stevens and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven with David McGoldrick a 70th minute substitute. Greg Cunningham was a 40th minute substitute for the hosts while Sean Maguire was unused on the bench. 

Stuttering Portsmouth included Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett in their starting eleven with Ronan Curtis a 67th minute substitute as they played out a scoreless League One draw at AFC Wimbledon. Promotion chasing Wigan Athletic included Will Keane who scored and James McClean in their starting eleven at Morecambe where they prevailed  by two goals to one..

The  Scottish Premiership featured St Mirren who secured  a two one success at Dundee United this Tuesday evening. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan started for the victors alongside Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne and Alan Power. Transfer window signing Daniel Cleary started for St Johnstone who went down to a two nil defeat at Heart of Midlothian for whom Aaron McEneff was a 71st minute substitute

Monday
Glasgow Celtic were in  Scottish Premiership action on Monday evening. when they secured  a two nil success over visitors Hibernian. Liam Scales and James McCarthy were unused substitutes for the hosts while Jake Doyle-Hayes was in midfield for the defeated visitors. 

 

 

Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Liverpool defeating Brentford by three goals to nil at Anfield to move up to second place on the League Table. Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the substitute bench for the hosts. Young  Armstrong Oko-Flex was an unused substitute for West Ham United who went down to a three two home defeat by visitors Leeds United.

There was a noon kick-off for the Championship meeting of Hull City and Stoke City which the visitors won by two goals to nil. Sean McLoughlin was in central defence for the defeated  hosts while goalkeeper Jack Bonham started  for the victors.

In the Belgian First Division, Josh Cullen was in action for RSC Anderlecht who were held to a one all draw by visitors Standard Liege.

Saturday
Norwich City climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table with a two one victory over Carrow Road visitors Everton this afternoon. Adam Idah started  and scored the second goal while Seamus Coleman started for the ‘Toffees’ but was withdrawn on 54 minutes. Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated visitors Southampton by three goals to one at Molineaux where Shane Long was an unused substitute for the ‘Saints’.

There were two 12.30pm kick-offs in the Championship with Cardiff City going down to a one nil defeat by  visitors Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town scoring a winning goal in the sixth minute of added time to defeat AFC Bournemouth by three goals to two. Both  James Collins and Mark McGuinness started for the ‘Bluebirds’ with Joel Bagan on the substitute bench while Darragh Lenihan skippered the victors. Mark Travers was in action for the ‘Cherries’ with Gavin Kilkenny unused on the substitute bench. Derby County continued their huge battle against relegation with a two nil victory over visitors Sheffield United. Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for the ‘Rams’ while Eiran Cashin was an 83rd minute substitute. John Egan started for the ‘Blades’ with Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane a 68th minute replacement for David McGoldrick. Enda Stevens was unused on the substitute bench. Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary started for Bristol City who led  twice in the early stages before conceding four goals before the half time break in an eventual six two defeat by hosts Fulham. Ryan Manning was joined in the Swansea City starting eleven by midweek loan signing Cyrus Christie as they played out a one all draw at Huddersfield Town. Michael Obafemi replaced Christie on 68 minutes. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly started  for Middlesbrough and was withdrawn on 67 minutes as his side defeated visitors Reading by two goals to one. Club captain Alan Browne scored for Preston North End and was joined in the starting eleven by Greg Cunningham as they were held to a one all draw by visitors Birmingham City for whom 83rd minute substitute Scott Hogan scored  the equaliser three minutes after his introduction. Jimmy Dunne was again in central defence for QPR who maintained their promotion push with a one nil victory over visitors West Bromwich Albion who included Callum Robinson and loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven.

Dennis Cirkin was in League One action for Sunderland who played out a one all draw at Accrington Stanley. Will Keane and James McClean started for Wigan Athletic who secured  a two one victory at Doncaster Rovers with Keane scoring the second goal.  Chiedoze Ogbene was in the Rotherham United  side which went down to a one nil defeat at Fleetwood Town where former Irish international Anthony Pilkington scored  the winner in the 5th minute of added time. Joshua Kayode was a half-time substitute for the defeated ‘Millers’. Anthony Scully and Lincoln City suffered a one nil home defeat by Cambridge United for whom Wes Hoolihan was a 61st minute substitute. The Portsmouth quartet of loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett  went down to two one defeat by MK Dons at Fratton Park where Warren O’Hora and Peter Kioso  started  for the victors with loanee Troy Parrott an 83rd minute substitute. Daryl Horgan was a 78th minute substitute bench for Wycombe Wanderers who secured a two nil victory over visitors Oxford United and Mark Sykes.

Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien was in League Two action with Swindon Town who secured  a three one victory at Port Vale. Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor was in the Tranmere Rovers side which defeated  visitors Rochdale by two goals to nil.

 

 

 

Friday
Brighton & Hove Albion scored  a late equaliser in their Premier League contest with bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Friday evening. Teenager Evan Ferguson, who impressed in his brief FA Cup substitute appearance against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday last, was an unused  substitute. 

Thursday
The first leg in the second EFL Cup semi-final took place at Anfield on Thursday evening  with Liverpool held to a scoreless draw by visitors Arsenal who were reduced to ten men after just 24 minutes. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was named on the substitute bench for the hosts. 

Wednesday
Teenage striker Armstrong Oko-Flex was an unused  substitute for West Ham United  who defeated visitors Norwich City by two goals to nil in the Premier League. Adam Idah started for the ‘Canaries’ but was withdrawn on 75 minutes.

The semi-final second leg in the EFL Cup between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea took place at the London Stadium on Wednesday evening and saw the visiting ‘Blues’ score the only goal for a three nil aggregate victory. Matt Doherty started for the hosts but was withdrawn on 65 minutes. 

Tuesday
Southampton scored a comfortable four one success over visitors Brentford in the Premier League this Tuesday evening at St Mary’s Stadium where Shane Long was an unused  substitute for the victors. 

Wycombe Wanderers introduced Daryl Horgan from their substitute on 73 minutes of their two nil victory at Bolton Wanderers in League One this evening. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott and Peter Kioso were very late substitutes for MK Dons while Warren O’Hora started their one nil victory over visitors and bitter rivals AFC Wimbledon. Defender Dennis Cirkin started for Sunderland with Aiden O’Brien a 65th minute substitute as the ‘Makems’ suffered  a three one defeat by  Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light.

Loan signing from Crystal Palace, Jake O’Brien made his debut for Swindon Town in their three two League Two defeat at Mansfield Town. Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was in the Salford City side while Ipswich Town loanee Corrie Ndaba was an unused substitute as they played out a one all draw with visitors Tranmere Rovers who included Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in their starting eleven.

The last sixteen in the EFL Trophy saw Cambridge United defeat visitors Portsmouth by two goals to one. Wes Hoolihan started for the hosts while Ronan Curtis started for ‘Pompey’ with Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett  introduced  from the bench in the second half.

 

Sunday
The FA Cup continued on Sunday afternoon as Championship side Cardiff City named James Collins and Joel Bagan in their starting eleven with Mark McGuinness on the bench for the visit of fellow Championship outfit Preston North End for whom Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire started with Alan Browne on the bench. The tie went to extra-time where the hosts scored the winner for a two one victory with Collins providing the assist for the goal. League One Charlton Athletic lost to the only goal from Premier League strugglers Norwich City for whom Adam Idah was an 84th minute substitute at The Valley. Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers secured  a comfortable three nil victory over  Championship visitors Sheffield United who included loanee Conor Hourihane and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven. Caoimhin Kelleher started for Liverpool who progressed  to round four with a four one victory over League One Shrewsbury Town. Matt Doherty was in the Tottenham Hotspur side which overcame  League One Morecambe by three goals to one after the visitors had taken the lead through skipper Anthony O’Connor.

Saturday
There were early kick-off times set for a number of FA Cup third round fixtures this afternoon including the meeting of Championship sides Bristol City, who included Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary in their starting eleven, and Fulham at Ashton Gate where the visitors scored  the only goal in extra-time. Premier League Burnley. for whom Kevin Long was an unused substitute, exited the competition following a two one home defeat by Championship club Huddersfield Town. Championship sides Coventry City and Derby County met at the Ricoh Arena where the hosts scored the only goal to progress to round four. Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for the visiting ‘Rams’ while Eiran Cashin was an unused substitute. Championship side Millwall included Danny McNamara and Alex Pearce in their side for the visit of Premier League Crystal Palace to the New Den where the visitors came from behind to secure a two one victory.

There are 3pm kick-off times set for  a number of other ties. Premier League Newcastle United name Jeff Hendrick on their substitute bench for the visit of League One Cambridge United (Wes Hoolihan). Championship side Peterborough United have Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics in their starting eleven for the visit of League One side Bristol Rovers to London Road. Championship outfit QPR and Jimmy Dunne entertain League One leaders Rotherham United for whom Kieran Sadlier starts while Chiedoze Ogbene and Joshua Kayode are included on the bench. Championship West Bromwich Albion and Callum Robinson play host to Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion who have Shane Duffy in their starting eleven while Evan Ferguson is on the substitute bench.  League One Wigan Athletic name Will Keane in their starting eleven with James McClean on the bench for the visit of Championship side Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan.

Championship side Hull City included Sean McLoughlin in their starting eleven while teenager Jevon Mills was an unused substitute as they suffered a three two extra-time defeat by Premier League visitors Everton who included captain Seamus Coleman in their side. Championship side Swansea City included Ryan Manning and Michael Obafemi in their starting eleven for the visit of Premier League Southampton who progressed  to the fourth round with a Shane Long winner in extra-time. Long was introduced from the bench on 78 minutes and also provided an assist for their second goal in their three two victory. Championship side AFC Bournemouth travelled  to non-league Yeovil Town where they progressed  to the fourth round with a three one victory. Gavin Kilkenny started for the ‘Cherries’ with Robbie Brady a 64th minute substitute while goalkeeper Mark Travers was rested on the substitute bench.

Several League One fixtures took place, with Wycombe Wanderers and Sunderland sharing six goals in a dramatic contest which kicked off at 12.30pm. Daryl Horgan was an added time substitute for the hosts while Dennis Cirkin was in fine form for the the visitors. Accrington Stanley played out a one all draw with visitors MK Dons who included Warren O’Hora, Peter Kioso and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott in their starting eleven. Anthony Scully started and scored for Lincoln City who defeated visitors Oxford United and Mark Sykes by two goals to nil.

 

 

Friday
The opening FA Cup Round Three fixture between League Two Swindon Town and Premier League leaders Manchester City went the way of the visitors at the County Ground on Friday evening by four goals to one. Ireland U21 international  Jake O’Brien, a midweek loan signing from Crystal Palace, was an unused substitute for the ‘Robins’. 

The quest for a quarter-final place in the EFL Trophy went the way of Portsmouth at Exeter City this evening.  Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett started for the victors while Ronan Curtis was introduced from the substitute bench on 63 minutes. Curtis certainly delivered  with two goals in the closing minutes to secure a three two victory. The hosts included Pierce Sweeney in their starting eleven but he was withdrawn at half-time while Padraig Amond was a 71st minute substitute.

The German Bundesliga clash of  Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach saw the visitors come from behind to secure a two one victory. Ireland U21 midfielder Conor Noss was on the victors substitute bench.

Wednesday
The EFL Cup semi-final first leg between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur took place at Stamford Bridge this evening and saw the hosts secure a two nil advantage which does not entirely reflect their dominance. Matt Doherty started in a left wing back position for the visitors but was withdrawn at half-time. 

Tuesday
Some fixtures in the last sixteen in the EFL Trophy took place this Tuesday evening.  Charlton Athletic scored  the only goal to defeat visitors MK Dons who included Warren O’Hora in their starting eleven. Crewe Alexandra suffered defeat by visitors Rotherham United who named Kieran Sadlier in their starting eleven and he scored their first half equaliser. Substitutes Joshua Kayode (62) and Chiedoze Ogbene (78) were introduced and the ‘Millers’ went on to  secure a four two victory. Kayode scored his first senior goal for the club with Ogbene providing the assist. Oldham Athletic suffered  a crushing six nil defeat by visitors Wigan Athletic who included Will Keane in their starting eleven and he  scored as the ‘Latics’ surged into a three nil half time lead. 

Monday
The Championship continued on Monday afternoon with Reading and visitors Derby County playing out a two all draw. The ‘Rams’ recovered from a two goal deficit with the equaliser coming in added time. Jason Knight started with Festy Ebosele a 57th minute substitute. Preston North End, captained by Alan Browne, also came from behind to secure a two one victory at Stoke City where Sean Maguire was an 89th minute substitute for the victors. 

In League One, Cambridge United held promotion chasing visitors Portsmouth to a scoreless draw. Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett all started for ‘Pompey’.

 

The New Year fixture list has been decimated by postponements because of the Covid virus with just a handful of matches surviving this weekend.

Sunday
The Premier League survivors included the 2pm kick-off between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion which the visitors won by three goals to two. Seamus Coleman started for the defeated hosts while Shane Duffy was a 61st minute substitute for the victors.  Struggling sides Leeds United and Burnley met at Elland Road where the hosts prevailed by three goals to one. Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes  for the visiting ‘Clarets’. Caoimhin Kelleher was an unexpected  starter for Liverpool who played out a dramatic two all draw with  Chelsea in the late kick-off at Stamford Bridge.    

The Championship featured Bristol City who came from behind to defeat visitors Millwall by three goals to two at Ashton Gate. Callum O’Dowda and goalkeeper Max O’Leary both started for the victorious ‘Robins’.  Danny McNamara and the veteran Alex Pearce were in the defeated ‘Lions’ side. Scott Hogan was a very late substitute for Birmingham City who went down to a two one defeat by visitors QPR for whom  Jimmy Dunne was in central defence. Darragh Lenihan was in Ewood Park action for Blackburn Rovers who were held to a scoreless draw by visitors Huddersfield Town. Callum Robinson scored the goal for West Bromwich Albion in their one all draw with visitors Cardiff City for whom James Collins opened  the scoring. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby replaced Robinson on 79 minutes while Mark McGuinness was in action for the visitors with Joel Bagan on their substitute bench.

Saturday
The Premier League saw Watford concede the only goal to visitors Tottenham Hotspur in the 6th minute of added time at Vicarage Road where Matt Doherty was an unused substitute for the victors. In the late kick-off, teenage striker Armstrong Oko-Flex was again named on the West Ham United substitute bench for their visit to Selhurst Park where they took a three goal first half lead against their hosts Crystal Palace but were left hanging on with the concession of two goals in the final minutes.  

Former Cork City central defender Sean McLoughlin was again in action for Hull City  who went down to a one nil defeat at Blackpool in the Championship with veteran Richard Keogh in action with the hosts.

There was a little more League One activity with Charlton Athletic going down to a one nil defeat by visitors Wycombe Wanderers  for whom Daryl Horgan was again an unused substitute. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott was in the MK Dons side together with central defender Warren O’Hora for the scoreless draw with visitors Gillingham. Chiedoze Ogbene started with Joshua Kayode a 73rd minute substitute  for Rotherham United who defeated visitors Bolton Wanderers by two goals to one to return to the top of the League Table. Eoin Doyle who is reported to be  set to return home and join St Patrick’s Athletic on a three year contract, scored the goal for the defeated side. The in form Mark Sykes scored the equaliser for  Oxford United in their one all draw with visitors Cheltenham Town.  

 

 

Thursday
In the Premier League Manchester United defeated visitors Burnley by three goal;s to one. Nathan Collins was an unused substitute for the defeated ‘Clarets’.

Among the surviving Championship fixtures was the meeting of AFC Bournemouth and Cardiff City which the hosts won by three goals to nil.  Mark Travers was in action with the hosts while Mark McGuinness started for the visitors with James Collins a 59th minute substitute. Bristol City included Callum O’Dowda in their starting eleven together with goalkeeper Max O’Leary as they went down to a two one defeat by visitors QPR and Jimmy Dunne. Stoke City suffered  a two onw defeat by visitors Derby County who included Jason Knight in their starting eleven with Festy Ebosele a 63rd minute substitute.

Two huge clubs, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, met at the Stadium of Light in League One where the hosts crushed their visitors by five goals to nil. Dennis Cirkin was a 63rd minute substitute for the victors while Ciaran Brennan was a 29th minute substitute for the visiting ‘Owls’  with Olamide Shodipo unused on the bench.

Wednesday
The Premier League saw Chelsea held to a one all draw by visitors Brighton & Hove Albion who scored the equaliser in added time. Shane Duffy and teenager Evan Ferguson were unused on their substitute bench. 

The Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley at Ewood Park went the way of the hosts by two goals to one with captain Darragh Lenihan in his usual defensive position for the victors. Millwall scored  the only goal for victory at Coventry City where Danny McNamara was in action for the ‘Lions’.

In League One, Ipswich Town scored the only goal to defeat visitors Wycombe Wanderers for whom Daryl Horgan was an unused substitute. Oxford United defeated visitors AFC Wimbledon by three goals to nil with Mark Sykes  scoring the opening goal.    

Tuesday
There was an Irish presence in all four of this afternoon’s Premier League fixtures. Adam Idah started for Norwich City who went down to a three nil defeat at Crystal Palace. Shane Long  started for Southampton who played out a one all draw with visitors Tottenham Hotspur for whom Matt Doherty was a half-time substitute.  Teenage striker Armstrong Oko-Flex was unused on the West Ham United substitute bench for their four one victory at Watford while Caoimhin Kelleher was an unused substitute for Liverpool in their one nil defeat at Leicester City.

Monday
The Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Manchester United took place in  St James Park on Monday evening and ended in a one all draw with  Jeff Hendrick an unused substitute for the host ‘Magpies’. 

The two Championship fixtures scheduled for Monday evening remained unscathed. Derby County and their Irish quartet of Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele who started and substitutes Louie Watson and Eiran Cashin defeated West Bromwich Albion and their duo, Callum Robinson and loanee Jayson Molumby, with the only goal at Pride Park this afternoon. The meeting of QPR and AFC Bournemouth took place at Loftus Road with the visiting ‘Cherries’ emerging victorious by one goal to nil. Jimmy Dunne was in central defence for the hosts  while Mark Travers started for the victors with Gavin Kilkenny and Robbie Brady unused on their substitute bench.

Sunday
Among the surviving Premier League matches on St Stephen’s Day was the Carrow Road meeting of Norwich City and Arsenal where Adam Idah was a 72nd minute substitute for the ‘Canaries’  who crashed to a five nil defeat.  Despite speculation surrounding his future at the club, Matt Doherty was included  on the Tottenham Hotspur bench for their three nil victory over visitors Crystal Palace. The London Stadium hosted the clash  of West Ham United and Southampton which the visiting ‘Saints’ won by three goals to two. Shane Long was an unused substitute for the victors. There was an 8pm kick-off time for the Amex Stadium contest between Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford with Shane Duffy and Aaron Connolly not part of the host squad but teenage striker Evan Ferguson was named on the substitute bench as the ‘Seagulls’ secured  a comfortable two nil victory.

The Scottish Premiership witnessed St Johnstone go down to a three4 one defeat by visitors Glasgow Celtic who included Liam Scales and James McCarthy in their starting eleven. St Mirren welcomed back Jamie McGrath to their starting eleven for their two nil  defeat by Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox Park.

Current League One leaders Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven while  Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute as they suffered a one nil defeat at Accrington Stanley. Loanee Troy Parrott was a 60th minute substitute for MK Dons who recovered from a two goal deficit to defeat their hosts Lincoln City by three goals to two. Anthony Scully returned from his lengthy injury absence as a 68th minute substitute for the defeated ‘Imps’.

Thursday
The Premier League –  Manchester United v Burnley (Nathan Collins and Kevin Long).

The Championship fixtures currently surviving include AFC Bournemouth (Mark Travers, Gavin Kilkenny and Robbie Brady) and Cardiff City (Mark McGuinness, James Collins and Joel Bagan). Bristol City (Callum O’Dowda) and QPR (Jimmy Dunne). Stoke City and Derby County (Jason Knight, Festy Ebosele, Eiran Cashin and Louie Watson).