Category: Latest News

 

Wednesday
Matt Doherty was included in the Tottenham Hotspur side for their two one EFL Cup quarter-final victory over visitors West Ham United for whom Darren Randolph was an unused substitute. Caoimhin Kelleher was included in the Liverpool side which recovered from the concession of two very early goals to secure a three all draw with Leicester City and take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. Kelleher saved twice in the shoot-out to help his side to a 5-4 success and progression to the semi-finals. The other two quarter-finals were won by Arsenal and Chelsea. The draw for the semi-finals, which will be played over two legs, paired Arsenal with Liverpool and Chelsea with Tottenham Hotspur.

There was Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening with Jim Goodwin‘s St Mirren holding Glasgow Celtic to a scoreless draw at Love Street. The hosts included Joe Shaughnessy and Charles Dunne in their side  but were without Jamie McGrath and Connor Ronan while their visitors included Liam Scales in their starting eleven while James McCarthy was an unused substitute. 

Monday
The Championship meeting of leaders Fulham and Sheffield United took place at Craven Cottage on Monday evening and saw the visiting ‘Blades’ score the only goal after just three minutes for victory. John Egan, Enda Stevens and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane  were all in the starting eleven and made a positive contribution. 

Sunday
Their was Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with Newcastle United playing host to Manchester City. Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ with Jeff Hendrick an 80th minute substitute as they went down to a four nil defeat. Later at 4.30pm Tottenham Hotspur played out a dramatic two all draw with visitors Liverpool at their New London Stadium. Matt Doherty for the hosts and Caoimhin Kelleher for the visitors were unused on the respective substitute benches.

The Scottish League Cup Final between Glasgow Celtic and Hibernian took place in  Hampden Park this afternoon. The Glasgow side named James McCarthy and Liam Scales on their substitute bench while Jake Doyle-Hayes started for the Edinburgh side. Hibernian took the lead early in the second half but it lasted barely a minute as Celtic equalised and went on to score the winner some twenty minutes later. Scales was introduced to the contest on 83 minutes.

Fourth place RSC Anderlecht, with Josh Cullen in their starting eleven, played out a two all Belgian First Division draw at second place Club Bruges early this afternoon.

Saturday
In the Championship AFC Bournemouth have hit something of a blip in form and that continued in this afternoon’s early encounter at Middlesbrough where they lost to the only goal. The ‘Cherries’ included Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny in their starting eleven with Robbie Brady a 77th minute substitute. Goalkeeper Travers had a fine game while Kilkenny and Brady, during his short stint, performed reasonably well.  Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan crushed Birmingham City by four goals to nil at Ewood Park where Scott Hogan was an unused  substitute for the visitors. There was a three one success for Blackpool  over visitors Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor started while Sam Szmodics was an unused substitute. 

In League One, Rotherham United named Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven and he provided  the assist for the only goal to secure victory at Cambridge United. Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute for the ‘Millers’. There was a three two away success for Wigan Athletic at Oxford United where Will Keane opened the scoring and James McClean scored  the late winner. The hosts included Mark Sykes in their starting eleven. 

 

 

The draw for the 2022 UEFA Nations League took place this afternoon in Montreux and sees Ireland, who were seeded 12 of 16 and in Pot 2, drawn to play Ukraine, Scotland and Armenia in Group B1.

The match schedule is as follows:-

Saturday 4th June 2022 :               19.45 Ireland v Ukraine       Scotland v Armenia
Tuesday 7th June 2022:                 17.00 Armenia v Ireland     Ukraine v Scotland
Saturday 11th June 2022:              17.00 Ireland v Scotland     Armenia v Ukraine
Tuesday 14th June 2022:               17.00 Ukraine v Ireland       Armenia v Scotland
Friday 23rd September 2022:      19.45 Scotland v Ireland      Ukraine v Armenia
Monday 26th September 2022:    19.45 Ireland v Armenia      Scotland v Ukraine
                                                                     

 

Friday
There was one Championship contest played on Friday evening with Barnsley holding visitors West Bromwich Albion, who included Callum Robinson in their starting eleven, to a scoreless draw. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was  a 70th minutes substitute for the ‘Baggies’ while William Hondermarck was an unused substitute for the hosts. 

Thursday
The Premier League continued on Thursday evening with Everton, for whom Seamus Coleman, despite carrying a knock, was named on the substitute bench, holding Chelsea to a one all draw at Stamford Bridge.  Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was on the bench for Liverpool who defeated visitors Newcastle United by three goals to one at Anfield where Jeff Hendrick and Ciaran Clark were unused substitutes for the visitors.

Wednesday
Brighton & Hove Albion were without the suspended Shane Duffy when they went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. Aaron Connolly started for the ‘Seagulls’ but was withdrawn on 60 minutes while Evan Ferguson was an unused  substitute.  Crystal Palace played out a two all draw with Southampton who included Will Smallbone in their starting eleven. Shane Long was a 70th minute substitute for the ‘Saints’ with Smallbone departing at the same time. There was also a substitute appearance for Armstrong Oko-Flex who was on the West Ham United bench for their two nil defeat at Arsenal.

Glasgow Celtic included Liam Scales in the starting eleven and he provided  the assist for their opening goal as they secured  a two one Scottish Premiership victory at Ross County. 

There is one Championship contest scheduled  for Friday evening with Barnsley playing host to West Bromwich Albion who include Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby in their travelling squad.

Tuesday
The Premier League continued on Tuesday evening with Norwich City going down to a two nil defeat by visitors Aston Villa at Carrow Road. Adam Idah was a 61st minute substitute for the hosts but made very little impact. Andrew Omobamidele was not available because of a lower back stress problem.

RSC Anderlecht, with Josh Cullen in midfield, defeated visitors Sint-Truidense VV by two goals to nil in the Belgian First Division this Tuesday evening.

 

 

Sunday
Battling Burnley played out a scoreless draw with high flying West Ham United at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes for the host’s. Jeff Hendrick was again an unused substitute for Newcastle United who crashed to a four nil defeat at Leicester City. In the late kick-off, Seamus Coleman and Everton went down to a three one defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

James McCarthy was an unused substitute for Glasgow Celtic who defeated visitors Motherwell by one goal to nil in the Scottish Premiership while  Liam Scales was  not included in the matchday squad.  

Saturday
Southampton duo Shane Long and Will Smallbone were unused on the substitute bench for their three nil Premier League defeat at Arsenal. Adam Idah was an unused substitute for Norwich City who went down to a one nil defeat by Manchester United in the late kick-off at Carrow Road.

St Mirren included Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven with Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan a 60th minute substitute as a vey late goal from Joe Shaughnessy earned  them a one all Scottish Premiership draw with visitors Hibernian. 

Birmingham City included Scott Hogan in their starting eleven for their two all Championship draw with visitors Cardiff City for whom Mark McGuinness scored an added time equaliser. James Collins also started  for the ‘Bluebirds’ but was withdrawn on 60 minutes. Second place AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers and Robbie Brady in their starting eleven with Gavin Kilkenny on the bench for the two nil defeat by visitors Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan. Derby County included Jason Knight in their starting eleven for their one nil victory over visitors Blackpool while Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who played out a two all draw at Hull City for whom Sean McLoughlin was in central defence. Peterborough United included Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics in their starting eleven with West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry on their bench for their two one victory over  visitors Millwall. Both Alan Browne and Sean Maguire started for Preston North End with Browne scoring in their two one success over visitors Barnsley. Ryan Manning started and Michael Obafemi was a 56th minute substitute for Swansea City who went down to a four one defeat by visitors Nottingham Forest. Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby started for West Bromwich Albion with Robinson scoring the only goal to defeat visitors Reading at the Hawthorns.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott, who saw 25 minutes of action in midweek, started for MK Dons together with Warren O’Hora as they went down to a two one League One defeat by visitors Oxford United for whom Mark Sykes started and scored. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was in action for Portsmouth as were Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness as they secured  a two nil victory over visitors  Morecambe with Harness scoring the opening goal. Chiedoze Ogbene was an 80th minute substitute for Rotherham United while Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute as they overcame visitors Burton Albion by three goals to one. Wigan Athletic duo Will Keane and James McClean were in action against visitors Ipswich Town as the sides played out a one all draw.. Daryl Horgan has been struggling for game time and was a 65th minute substitute for  Wycombe Wanderers who were held to a two all draw by visitors AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.

There is a 7.45pm kick-off time set for the Belgian First Division contest between RFC Seraing and RSC Anderlecht who include Josh Cullen in their ranks.

 

The draws for the 2021/22 Elite Rounds of both the U17 and U19 European Championships have taken place in Nyon this afternoon.

The draws for the 2022/23 Qualifying Rounds of both competitions took place earlier today.

U19 Elite Round 2021/22
Group Three
1. Portugal
2. England
3. Republic of Ireland
4. Armenia

U17 Elite Round 2021/22
Group Eight
1. Bulgaria
2. Republic of Ireland
3. Portugal
4. Finland

U19 Qualifying Round 2022/23
Group Four
1. Republic of Ireland
2. Hungary
3. Wales
4. Gibraltar

U17 Qualifying Round 2022/23
Group Five
1. Republic of Ireland
2. Poland
3. North Macedonia
4. Andorra

UEFA Regions Cup 2022/23
Group Six
1. Republic of Ireland
2. Bulgaria
3. Romania
4. San Marino

U19 Women Round Two 2021/22
Group A7
1. France
2. Czech Republic *
3. Republic of Ireland
4. Greece

U17 Women Round Two 2021/22
Group A1
1. Republic of Ireland
2. Iceland
3. Finland
4. Slovakia

 

 

 

Thursday
The final contests in the Group Stage of both the Europa League and Conference were scheduled to take place this Thursday evening but the Europa Conference meeting of Tottenham Hotspur and Rennes has been postponed because of a Covid outbreak in the Londoners camp.

Spurs are now three points behind Vitesse who defeated bottom side NS Mura by three goals to one this evening and the sides are level on goal difference. When they Rennes fixture is re-arranged, Spurs must win the match in order to progress. 

Glasgow Celtic were out of contention in Group G of the Europa League but they defeated  visitors Real Betis by three goals to two with James McCarthy and Liam Scales both starting and completing the full 90 minutes.

Wednesday
Ireland duo James McClean and Will Keane were in League One action this evening when their promotion chasing Wigan Athletic defeated visitors Shrewsbury Town by two goals to one.. Things have not been going too well for young striker Troy Parrott, on loan at MK Dons from Tottenham Hotspur, and he was again named on the substitute bench for this evening’s one all draw with visitors Plymouth Argyle. Parrott was introduced to the action on 67 minutes while his Irish colleague Warren O’Hora was in action from the start.

Tuesday
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to have been disappointed that he was once again confined to bench duty for Liverpool despite tonight’s Champions League visit to AC Milan, which they won by two goals to one, was not vital to the Merseyside club who had already qualified  for the knock-out stage.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is understood to have had an eye on this evening’s League One contest between Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park. Loanee goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was joined in the host starting eleven by centre back Sean Raggett and attacking midfielders Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness while Olamide Shodipo started for the visitors. The match was dominated  by the hosts with Curtis quite prominent but with both goalkeepers in excellent form neither side managed  to score. Veteran one cap midfielder Shaun Williams was also in action for the hosts. Current leaders Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven with Joshua Kayode a 75th minute substitute for their five one victory over visitors Gillingham with Ogbene scoring the final goal. Daryl Horgan was again named on the substitute bench for third place Wycombe Wanderers who defeated visitors Burton Albion by two goals to one.

Monday
Club captain Seamus Coleman was in action for Everton who came from behind to defeat Arsenal by two goals to one in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Monday evening. The ‘Toffees’ have been in poor recent form but the upturn in their fortune’s tonight was well merited and may be the catalyst for further improvement as the season progresses.

 

 

Sunday
Matt Doherty was introduced from the Tottenham Hotspur substitute bench on 62 minutes of their three nil Premier League defeat of visitors Norwich City on Sunday afternoon. Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah were both in the starting eleven for the ‘Canaries’. 

Republic of Ireland women’s captain Katie McCabe was in Action with Arsenal who went down to a comprehensive three nil defeat by Chelsea in the delayed Women’s FA Cup Final this Sunday afternoon.

Glasgow Celtic cruised to a three nil victory at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at noon on Sunday. James McCarthy was an unused  substitute while  Liam Scales made his League debut as a 75th minute substitutes and capped the day with the third goal six minutes after his introduction. 

The second round in the FA Cup continued with Wigan Athletic securing a two one victory at Colchester United. Will Keane started while James McClean was a 76th minute substitute for the victors. Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright is on the bench for Salford City who play host to Chesterfield.

Josh Cullen was in action with RSC Anderlecht who came from behind to defeat  SV Zulte Waregem by three goals to two in the Belgian First Division this afternoon.

Saturday
Bottom side Newcastle United defeated fellow strugglers Burnley with the only goal at St James Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.  The hosts included Jeff Hendrick on their substitute bench but Ciaran Clark was ruled out through suspension. The visitors included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven with Kevin Long on their substitute bench. St Mary’s Stadium hosted the South Coast meeting of Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion with the visitors scoring an equaliser for a one all draw in the eight minute of added time. Shane Long and Will Smallbone were  unused on the home bench while Shane Duffy started for the visitors with Aaron Connolly introduced from their substitute bench on 55 minutes.

Jamie McGrath and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan were in the St Mirren starting eleven which crashed to a four one defeat at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

The early Championship kick-off saw Coventry City go down to a two one defeat by visitors West Bromwich Albion who included Callum Robinson in their starting eleven but Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was suspended following his dismissal last weekend. The ‘Lancashire Derby’ meeting of Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End at Ewood Park went the way of the hosts with the only goal.  Darragh Lenihan was in action for the hosts while Alan Browne captained the visitors. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who scored  the only goal to defeat visitors  Derby County and their Irish duo of Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele at Ashton Gate where Knight was withdrawn at half-time. Cardiff City included Mark McGuinness and James Collins in their starting eleven and McGuinness scored a late goal as his suide went down to a three two defeat by visitors Sheffield United who named John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick, who scored, and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven. Swansea City include dRyan Manning in their starting eleven while Michael Obafemi was a 67th minute substitute in their one nil defeat at Middlesbrough. Jack Taylor started and West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry was a 65th minute substitute for struggling Peterborough United who went down to a two nil defeat at Nottingham Forest.

In the second round of the FA Cup, Leyton Orient defeated visitors Tranmere Rovers, who included Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in their starting eleven, by four goals to nil. Portsmouth name Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu in their starting eleven with Ronan Curtis a 60th minute substitute as they went down to a two one defeat by visitors Harrowgate Town.

Second place AIK Solna included Zack Elbouzedi in their starting eleven for the Swedish Allsvenskan visit of IKN Sirius. AIK recovered from the concession of two goals in the opening twenty minutes to secure a four two victory.