Category: Latest News

Following the FA Cup action of last weekend, the Championship resumed this Friday evening with current leaders Leeds United defeating sixth place Derby County by two goals to nil at Elland Road. A knee injury ruled out Ireland target Patrick Bamford for the victorious hosts but Richard Keogh was in his regular centre back position for the vanquished visitors.

Premier League leaders Liverpool exited the FA Cup in a two one defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round this Monday evening. The visitors, who named nineteen year old goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher on the substitute bench, were very disappointing and the hosts fully merited their victory. Wolves, who currently sit ninth on the Premier League table, introduced Matt Doherty from the substitute bench on seventy five minutes to help retain their lead and secure victory. The fourth round draw was made this evening and Wolves will travel to face the winners of the third round replay between Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town.

 

The third round of the 2019 FA Cup continued on Sunday afternoon with Fulham and unused substitute Cyrus Christie exiting the competition following a two one defeat by League Two side Oldham Athletic at Craven Cottage.  Aiden O’Brien and Derby County loanee Alex Pearce both started for Millwall who came from behind to defeat visitors Hull City by two goals to one at the New Den. Shaun Williams also returned to action with the ‘Lions’, following his lengthy injury absence, with a sixty third minute introduction from the substitute bench. Preston North End went down to a three one  home defeat by League One promotion chasers Doncaster Rovers at Deepdale where Graham Burke started but was replaced at half-time by Alan Browne, while long term injury victim Sean Maguire returned to action as a seventy fourth minute substitute. The victors included goalkeeper Ian Lawlor in their starting eleven while new signing Kieran Sadlier was introduced  for the final six minutes. As expected, the Sheffield United trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick were rested to the substitute bench where they remained as their side exited the competition at Bramall Lane following a one nil defeat by National League side Barnet.  Thirty year old Padraig Amond scored the eighty fifth minute penalty which saw League Two side Newport County defeat seventh place Premier League side Leicester City by two goals to one at Rodney Parade.

There was further Irish involvement in three FA Cup third round ties  kicking-off at 5.30pm this Saturday afternoon. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who defeated Premier League strugglers Huddersfield Town by one goal to nil at Ashton Gate while Darragh Lenihan started and Derrick Williams was a very late substitute for Blackburn Rovers who have travelled to  St James Park where they played out a one all draw with Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark was an unused substitute following his recovery from injury. Championship high flyers Norwich City were reduced to ten men early in their Carrow Road contest with League One leaders Portsmouth following a foul on Ronan Curtis and ‘Pompey’ went on to score a very late winner. 

The regular 3pm kick-off time featured several Irish players in FA Cup third round action on Saturday afternoon. The Aston Villa duo of Glenn Whelan and Scott Hogan started against visitors Swansea City who crushed them by three goals to nil with both Whelan and Hogan substituted during the second half. Richard Keogh and Derby County came from two goals down to draw with visitors Southampton and Shane Long at Pride Park. James McCarthy was named alongside Seamus Coleman on the Everton substitute bench, where they remained for the two one victory over League Two leaders Lincoln City. Greg Cunningham was unused on the Cardiff City substitute bench as they went down to a one nil defeat at League One side Gillingham while Peterborough United, also of League One, included goalkeeper Conor O’Malley in their starting eleven at Middlesbrough, where they crashed to a five nil defeat. Darren Randolph was rested by the victorious hosts. Manchester United scored a comfortable two nil victory over visitors Reading for whom midfielder Liam Kelly caught the eye with some cultured play. The former Ireland Under 21 international rejected a senior call up from Martin O’Neill but the quality on display at Old Trafford might prompt an enquiry from Mick McCarthy

There was some Irish involvement in the initial batch of FA Cup third round fixtures which kicked-off at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Manager Chris Hughton and his Brighton & Hove Albion side, which included Shane Duffy, made the short south coast journey to face AFC Bournemouth and secured a three one success at the Vitality Stadium. Burnley included Jeff Hendrick, Kevin Long and the fit again Stephen Ward in their starting eleven for the one nil victory over visitors Barnsley who currently sit fourth in League One. James McClean and his Stoke City colleagues live to fight another day as they drew one each at League One side, Shrewsbury Town. Conor Coventry was an unused substitute, while Declan Rice started for West Ham United who defeated  London Stadium visitors   Birmingham City and Lukas Jutkiewicz by two goals to nil. 

The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Shane Long a half time substitute for Southampton who played out a battling scoreless draw with hosts Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Teenage striker Michael Obafemi was unavailable for the ‘Saints’ through injury. Robbie Brady returned to action with Burnley as a sixty third minute substitute but then was red carded in the final minutes for a two footed tackle. Irish colleague Jeff Hendrick was an added time substitute while Kevin Long remained on the bench as the ‘Clarets’ came from behind to secure a two one victory at Huddersfield Town.  West Ham United, with Declan Rice in midfield,  recovered a two goal deficit to draw two all with London Stadium visitors Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Shane Duffy scored their second goal. Matt Doherty and Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a disappointing two nil home defeat by Crystal Palace at Molineaux.