Category: Latest News

 

Friday
There was Championship action on Friday evening with the top two, Fulham and AFC Bournemouth playing out an exciting one all draw at Craven Cottage. Mark Travers was in excellent form for the visiting ‘Cherries, while Robbie Brady made his debut as an 88th minute substitute. There was disappointment for young Gavin Kilkenny who was unused on the substitute bench.

The second round of the FA Cup saw Rotherham United progress to round three with a one nil victory over visitors Stockport County. Chiedoze Ogbene started for the hosts while Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute.

Thursday
There was more Premier League action on Thursday night with Tottenham Hotspur defeating visitors Brentford by two goals to nil at the London Stadium where Matt Doherty was again unused on the host substitute bench.

The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic, who included James McCarthy on their substitute bench, score the only goal to defeat visitors Heart of Midlothian for whom Aaron McEneff started in midfield. There was no place in the home squad for Liam Scales which must be of some concern for the Dubliner given that two regular defenders are currently unavailable through injury

Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Southampton, who named  Shane Long and Will Smallbone on their substitute bench, playing out a two all draw with visitors Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium. West Ham United welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom Shane Duffy was named on their substitute bench and introduced to the action on 36 minutes at the London Stadium. The ‘Hammers’ took an early lead but the the visiting ‘Seagulls’ equalised in the closing minutes with substitute Duffy named ‘man of the match’.  Wolverhampton Wanderers played out a scoreless draw with visitors Burnley who included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven with Kevin Long on the substitute bench. The ‘Merseyside Derby’ saw Seamus Coleman in action for Everton who went down to a four one defeat while Caoimhin Kelleher was named on the Liverpool bench at Goodison Park.

The Scottish Premiership featured St Mirren duo Jamie McGrath and Connor Ronan in action against visitors Ross County in a contest which finished scoreless with Ronan named ‘man of the match’.

Young defender Ciaran Brennan and QPR loanee Olamide Shodipo were in the Sheffield Wednesday starting eleven for their EFL Trophy encounter with visitors Hartlepool United at Hillsborough where the visitors secured  a three nil victory. 

Tuesday
The ninth minute dismissal of Ciaran Clark left Newcastle United with a mountain to climb in their crucial Premier League relegation battle with fellow strugglers Norwich City at St James Park this Tuesday evening. The ‘Magpies’ took the lead just after the hour mark from the penalty spot but were unable to hold on as the visiting ‘Canaries’ equalised on 79 minutes to secure a one all draw. Adam Idah was a 67th minute substitute for the visitors while Andrew Omobamidele remained unused on the  bench as did Jeff Hendrick for the hosts.

There was EFL Trophy action for Joshua Kayode and Kieran Sadlier with Rotherham United who progressed to the next round with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out success against visitors Port Vale following a one all draw with Sadlier a successful penalty taker. MK Dons also progressed  to the next stage with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success at Leyton Orient following a scoreless draw. Troy Parrott started this evening but was dismissed in the first minute of added time at the end of the match.

Monday
There was late disappointment for the Irish at Derby County as they went down to a two one Championship defeat by visitors QPR in Pride Park this Monday evening. Jason Knight started for the ‘Rams’ who took an early lead which they held until the 50th minute when QPR equalised. Festy Ebosele replaced Knight on 79 minutes as their side suffered anguish in the closing minutes with the concession of the winning goal. Jimmy Dunne started in central defence for the victors while young Louie Watson was unused on the home bench.

Zack Elbouzedi continued his impressive form for Swedish Allsvenskan side AIK Solna who climbed to second on the table with a four two victory at fourth place IF Elfsborg. The victors twice came from behind with Elbouzedi providing the assist for the first equaliser.

 

Our Senior Women crushed Georgia by eleven goals to nil in tonight’s  2023 World Cup qualifying contest in Tallaght Stadium. With world ranked number 2 Sweden expected  to top Group A, the battle for second place and a play-off position appears to rest between Finland, Slovakia and Vera Pauw‘s Republic of Ireland. The disappointment of last Thursday’s one all draw with visitors Slovakia placed huge pressure on the team to emerge victorious from this Georgia contest and they responded in some style. Ireland hit the front on four minutes through an own goal  and were in total command throughout. Further first half goals followed from Kyra Carusa, her first for Ireland, Lucy Quinn and Denise O’Sullivan.

The second half was extremely one sided with Ireland adding seven more goals to their tally with O’Sullivan completing her hat-trick, skipper Katie McCabe scoring twice and Saoirse Noonan, Amber Barrett and Megan Connolly adding another three.

While Georgia were very poor opponents who had lost their three opening games to Sweden (4-0), Finland (3-0), Slovakia (2-0), tonight’s scoreline may yet reap benefit for Ireland in the battle to secure second place and qualification for the play-offs.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell; Jessica Ziu, Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe (c); Lucy Quinn, Kyra Carusa, Denise O’Sullivan
Substitutes:
Ciara Grant for Littlejohn 67′
Roma McLaughlin for Lucy Quinn 67′
Amber Barrett for Carusa 75′
Saoirse Noonan for Ziu 75′

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Sweden                      5  5  0  0  11  1   10   15
Republic of Ireland         4  2  1  1  14  3   11    7
Finland                     4  2  0  2   7  5    2    6
Slovakia                    5  1  1  3   4  7   -3    4
Georgia                     4  0  0  4   0 20  -20    0

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Our senior women played out a disappointing one all draw with Slovakia in this evening’s World Cup qualifier played at Tallaght Stadium. The contest failed to reach any great heights during the first 60 minutes with a below par Ireland comfortably outplayed by Slovakia who scored  their goal two minutes into the second half. Ireland found a greater urgency in the final half hour and equalised on 65 minutes through a fine finish from captain Katie McCabe who was accorded  the ‘Player of the Match’ award.  Striker Heather Payne worked tirelessly despite some hefty challenges from the Slovak defenders but the remainder of our players have had better days.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Jamie Finn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe (c); Lucy Quinn, Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Ruesha Littlejohn for O’Gorman 70′
Kyra Carusa for Lucy Quinn 84′

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Vera Pauw has been forced to make a number of changes to our Senior Women’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia. Injury rules out Leanne Kiernan, Ellen Molloy and Claire Walsh and they have been replaced by Isibeal Atkinson, Jessie Stapleton and Emily Whelan with Jessica Ziu also added to the squad. The third goalkeeping place will be filled  by Megan Walsh who has played for England at U17, U19 and U23 level and has now received clearance from FIFA to make the switch.
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Head Coach Vera Pauw has named her 25 player Republic of Ireland Senior Women squad for the upcoming 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia on Thursday the 25th November and Georgia on Tuesday the 30th November with both fixtures scheduled  for Tallaght Stadium at 7pm. A third goalkeeper will be added to the squad once international clearance comes through from FIFA.

It has also been confirmed  that Wexford Coach Tom Elmes has replaced Eileen Gleeson, who has taken up the reins at Glasgow City,  as Assistant to Vera Pauw. 

Squad
Goalkeepers:  Courtney Brosnan (Everton),  Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders:  Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln),  Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic have won the 2021 FAI Cup following the drama of another penalty shoot-put after they and opponents Bohemian finished level with one goal each after extra-time. The two sides fought out a measured battle before an attendance of 37,126 at the Aviva Stadium. Defences were in command for the most part throughout the regular ninety minutes but gaps began to appear during extra-time when energy levels began to drop. The Inchicore side took the lead in the final minute of the first period of extra-time with an excellent solo goal from Chris Forrester. The ‘Gypsies’ responded  in the opening minutes of the second period with an excellent header from substitute defender Rory Feely. Both sides had late opportunities to win the match with the best falling to  Bohemian player Ross Tierney who was thwarted by goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros who is on loan from Liverpool. 

The contest then went to a penalty shoot-out, the fifth time this has occurred since the opening Aviva Stadium contest of 2010. Bohemian took an advantage when match goal scorer Chris Forrester had his penalty saved but they then missed their fourth and fifth kicks and it was left to Robbie Benson to convert the winner for St Patrick’s Athletic. The cup success added to their second place finish in the League made it a very memorable season for the Inchicore side. 

Sunday
Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues suffered another Premier League defeat on Sunday afternoon, losing to the only goal at newly promoted Brentford.

There was better news in the Championship for the Sheffield United quartet of John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane who all started their two nil victory over Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda at Bramall Lane.

James McCarthy completed the full 90 minutes for Glasgow Celtic in their two one Scottish Premiership victory over visitors Aberdeen. Liam Scales was again an unused substitute for the victors.

Saturday
First into Premier League action on Saturday afternoon were Arsenal and Newcastle United who met in the Emirates Stadium where the hosts secured  a comfortable two nil victory. Ciaran Clark was relegated to the ‘Magpies’ substitute bench where he was joined by  Jeff Hendrick. with neither seeing any action. There was also no match involvement for Southampton duo Shane Long and Will Smallbone both of whom remained on the substitute bench as their side suffered a four nil defeat at Liverpool.  Norwich City named Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah on their substitute bench for the visit  of Wolverhampton Wanderers where they remained as the sides played out a scoreless draw. The late kick-off saw Brighton & Hove Albion and visitors Leeds United play out a scoreless draw which was dominated by the hosts with their failure to convert any of their many chances proving frustrating. Shane Duffy is likely to have been disappointed with his relegation to the substitute bench.  

St Mirren included Jamie McGrath and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven for their two nil Scottish Premiership defeat by hosts  Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.

The early Championship kick-off featured Alan Browne in action with Preston North End together with Sean Maguire as they held leaders Fulham to a one all draw at Deepdale. AFC Bournemouth, who currently lie second on the table, played host to resurgent Coventry City and included Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny in their starting eleven as they dropped two points by conceding two late goals following their red card reduction to ten men. Troubled Cardiff City collected the points with a two one victory at Luton Town where Mark McGuinness  and James Collins both started for the victors. Peterborough United included Jack Taylor and West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry in their starting eleven for their scoreless draw with visitors  Barnsley. Ryan Manning started and scored for Swansea City who suffered a surprise three two home defeat by visitors Reading.

Portsmouth travelled to Gillingham in League One where Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis were in their starting eleven as they scored  the only goal in added time. The reason for the absence of Troy Parrott from the last two MK Dons matchday squads is not clear but the Tottenham Hotspur loanee was  named on the substitute bench for their four nil victory at Morecambe and was introduced  for the final three minutes. Chiedoze Ogbene started and Joshua Kayode was an 83rd minute substitute for Rotherham United  who played out a scoreless draw at Oxford United. James McClean and Will Keane were in the Wigan Athletic side  which made the lengthy journey to Plymouth Argyle where they secured  a two one victory with Keane on the scoresheet. Young defender Cillian Brennan retained his starting role with Sheffield Wednesday who were held to a two all draw by Wycombe Wanderers at Hillsborough where Daryl Horgan was a 69th minute substitute for the visitors.

Josh Cullen was again in midfield action for RSC Anderlecht who secured  a three one Belgian First Division victory at Charleroi.

 

Our senior women played out a disappointing one all draw with Slovakia in this evening’s World Cup qualifier played at Tallaght Stadium. The contest failed to reach any great heights during the first 60 minutes with a below par Ireland comfortably outplayed by Slovakia who scored  their goal two minutes into the second half. Ireland found a greater urgency in the final half hour and equalised on 65 minutes through a fine finish from captain Katie McCabe who was accorded  the ‘Player of the Match’ award.  Striker Heather Payne worked tirelessly despite some hefty challenges from the Slovak defenders but the remainder of our players have had better days.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Jamis Finn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe (c); Lucy Quinn, Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Ruesha Littlejohn for O’Gorman 70′
Kyra Carusa for Lucy Quinn 84′

——————————————————————————————————-
Vera Pauw has been forced to make a number of changes to our Senior Women’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia. Injury rules out Leanne Kiernan, Ellen Molloy and Claire Walsh and they have been replaced by Isibeal Atkinson, Jessie Stapleton and Emily Whelan with Jessica Ziu also added to the squad. The third goalkeeping place will be filled  by Megan Walsh who has played for England at U17, U19 and U23 level and has now received clearance from FIFA to make the switch.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Head Coach Vera Pauw has named her 25 player Republic of Ireland Senior Women squad for the upcoming 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia on Thursday the 25th November and Georgia on Tuesday the 30th November with both fixtures scheduled  for Tallaght Stadium at 7pm. A third goalkeeper will be added to the squad once international clearance comes through from FIFA.

It has also been confirmed  that Wexford Coach Tom Elmes has replaced Eileen Gleeson, who has taken up the reins at Glasgow City,  as Assistant to Vera Pauw. 

Squad
Goalkeepers:  Courtney Brosnan (Everton),  Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders:  Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln),  Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

 

 

Friday
The Championship continued on Friday evening with West Bromwich Albion playing out a scoreless draw with visitors Nottingham Forest at the Hawthorns. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson were both in the ‘Baggies’ starting eleven and were quite prominent for the 70 minutes they were in action. Molumby exited the match following a second caution for a reckless challenge while Robinson was sacrificed in the subsequent adjustments made by the manager. The reckless Molumby tackle which led to his dismissal has been a recurring feature of his career to date, one which he must address and rectify if he is to make the progress his talent deserves.

Thursday
Match Series Five in the Europa League saw Glasgow Celtic travel to leaders Bayern Leverkuson knowing they must not lose should Real Betis defeat visitors Ferencvaros,  as expected, in the other Group G fixture tonight. Despite a valiant effort the Glasgow side went down to a three two defeat while Real Betis were victorious thus ending their progress in the competition. James McCarthy was a 76th minute substitute while Liam Scales was unused on the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven for their Europa Conference Group G clash with bottom side NS Mura which ended in a two one defeat for the London side. Doherty was withdrawn on 53 minutes in what was an all round disappointing display by the London side who can still finish second but will surely have to defeat Group winners Rennes whom they will host in their final Group contest in two weeks time. 

Wednesday
The Championship continued on Wednesday evening with Barnsley going down to a two nil defeat by visitors Swansea City for whom Ryan Manning was a 72nd minute substitute.  Blackburn Rovers crushed visitors Peterborough United by four goals to nil with Darragh Lenihan scoring one of their goals. Jack Taylor and  Sam Szmodics   started for the visitors while West Ham United  loanee Conor Coventry was a 61st minute substitute. Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda defeated visitors Stoke City with the only goal at Ashton Gate. Cardiff City suffered  a one nil home defeat by Hull City with Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven while James Collins was a 63rd minute substitute. Former Cork City defender Sean McLoughlin started in defence for the victorious ‘Tigers’.  Current leaders Fulham were held to a scoreless draw at home to  troubled Derby County at Craven Cottage where Jason Knight and U21 player Festy Ebosele started for the visiting ‘Rams’. Millwall included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors  AFC Bournemouth who were seeking to recover from their disappointing defeat by Derby County at the weekend.  Mark Travers and U21 midfielder Gavin Kilkenny were both in the ‘Cherries’ starting eleven.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to have been disappointed that he did not start in the Champions League for Liverpool this evening  as they overcame FC Porto by two goals to nil at Anfield.  Liverpool, having won all four of their opening contests, had already won Group B . 

Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with Blackpool playing out a scoreless draw with visitors West Bromwich Albion who included  Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 60th minute substitute. Middlesbrough went down to a two one defeat by Preston North End at the Riverside Stadium where Alan Browne was in action for the victors.  Reading went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Sheffield United who included  John Egan, Enda Stevens and international retiree David McGoldrick in their starting eleven with Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane a 72nd minute substitute.

In League One Cambridge United played host to promotion chasing Wigan Athletic who recovered from a two goal deficit to secure a draw. James McClean and Will Keane both started for the ‘Latics’ with Keane scoring one of their goals. Ipswich Town welcomed Rotherham United to Portman Road where Chiedoze Ogbene started and U21 striker  Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute for the visitors who ran out two nil victors.  Lincoln City named  Sean Roughan on their substitute bench for the visit of Portsmouth for whom Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu was in action as ‘Pompey’ secured  three nil victory. Plymouth Argyle went down to a three nil defeat by visitors Wycombe Wanderers for whom Daryl Horgan was an unused substitute.  Sheffield Wednesday included Ciaran Brennan in their starting eleven for their two one victory over visitors MK Dons who included Warren O’Hora and Peter Kioso in their starting eleven at Hillsborough. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott was again missing from the visitors matchday squad.

 

The Irish domestic season is scheduled to conclude this weekend with the Promotion/Relegation Final between Waterford and UCD played in Richmond Park on Friday evening and the FAI Cup Final between Bohemian and St Patrick’s Athletic scheduled  for the Aviva Stadium at 4pm on Sunday afternoon. 

The play-off  final was impacted upon by the news which emerged on Monday evening that Waterford had dismissed manager Mark Bircham following dialogue with the Club Chairman. The play-off final on Friday evening brought further woe to the ‘Blues’ as despite taking a fifth minute lead, they went down to a two one defeat which sees the ‘Students’ replace them in the Premier Division next season.