Category: Latest News

Goodison Park hosted this evening’s Premier League match between hosts Everton and visitors Watford which ended in a two all draw. The result was just about fair in a lively contest which saw captain Seamus Coleman contribute to the opening first half goal for the hosts and then concede a fairly unavoidable own goal which levelled matters midway through the second half. Barely two minutes later the visitors took the lead which looked to have earned them three points especially as the ‘Toffees’ had a penalty kick saved just a couple of minutes after they fell behind. With five minutes of added time on the clock, Watford conceded an unnecessary foul at the edge of the penalty area from which Everton equalised with a quite stunning free kick.

Matt Doherty, playing in his customary right wing back position, scored the winning goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the ninety fourth minute of this afternoon’s Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at St James Park. The hosts included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven and with the sides level at one goal each appeared to be in command until the fifty seventh minute dismissal of defender Yedlin which swung the balance, although the visitors left things very late.

Robbie Brady started for struggling Burnley and Jeff Hendrick was an eighty fifth minute substitute as they defeated visitors Brighton & Hove Albion, who were without the suspended Shane Duffy, with the only goal in  their Premier League meeting this Saturday afternoon. Harry Arter was named ‘man of the match’ for Cardiff City who defeated visitors Southampton  by one goal to nil. Greg Cunningham remained an injury absentee while injury also precluded Michael Obafemi and Shane Long from involvement with the visitors. Cyrus Christie was relegated to the Fulham substitute bench as they went down to a four one defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.  Declan Rice was in midfield action for West Ham United who came from behind to defeat visitors Crystal Palace by three goals to two at the London Stadium.

The Championship continued on Saturday afternoon with fifty eight minute Bristol City substitute Callum O’Dowda providing the assist for the only goal to defeat their hosts Birmingham City. Alan Judge was introduced from the substitute bench for Brentford at half time but could not prevent his side going down to a three two defeat by visitors Swansea City at Griffin Park. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph was seeking to redeem the demons of last weekend but visitors Blackburn Rovers, with Derrick Williams starting and the fit again Darragh Lenihan on the bench, held them to a one all draw at the Riverside Stadium. Millwall included Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven for the visit of Hull City to the New Den and he scored in their two all draw. Alan Browne started and substitute Graham Burke got three minutes for Preston North End who scored the only goal to defeat  Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Richie Towell started and scored for Rotherham United who earned a point from a two all draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Anthony Forde also started but Ryan Manning remained unused on the bench. James McClean was a seventieth minute substitute for Stoke City who defeated bottom side Ipswich Town by two goals to nil at the bet365 Stadium. Richard Keogh was in the Derby County side which scored the only goal for victory at Wigan Athletic. The late kick-off saw Reading, who dispensed with manager Paul Clement earlier this week, go down to a two nil defeat by visitors Sheffield United who included a quartet of players who may be involved in Mick McCarthy’s first international squad of his second period at the helm. John Egan and Enda Stevens have been in recent squads while David McGoldrick is expected to return to the fold with recently flagged target Jack O’Connell also under consideration. Ireland Assistant Manager Robbie Keane was in attendance at the Madejski Stadium.
League One leaders Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven for their two nil victory over visitors Southend United.  

Controversy reigned at the Hawthorns this evening with hosts West Bromwich Albion securing a Championship point in the final minutes of their contest with visitors Aston Villa with a hugely disputed equaliser which was clearly handled and admitted post match by the player involved.  The ‘Baggies’ remain in third position with the visiting ‘Villans’ four points further back in eight position. Wes Hoolihan was an unused substitute for the hosts while the visitors included Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven with Glenn Whelan a very late substitute and Scott Hogan unused on the bench. 

The draws for the Elite Stages of the 2019 European Championships at both U17 and U19 level took place at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon this Thursday morning. The draws for the Qualifying Stages of the 2020 Competitions were also made today.

Ireland, as Tournament Finals Host, were not involved in the U17 Elite Stage draw, with Head Coach Colin O’Brien set to continue preparation for the May 2019 Finals with a series of friendly internationals.

In the Elite Stage draw, our U19 side were drawn in Group One alongside Russia, who will host the mini-tournament between the 20th and 26th March 2019, Azerbaijan and Romania. The Group Winners only qualify for the July 2019 Finals in Armenia.

The draw for the U17 Qualifying Stage of the 2020 competition saw  Ireland drawn in Group 3, which we will host, alongside Israel, Montenegro and Andorra. The top two from the qualifying group qualify for the Elite Stage of the 2020 competition. The matches will be played between the 12th and 18th October 2019.

The draw for the U19 Qualifying Stage of the 2020 competition saw  Ireland drawn in Group 10 alongside Austria, who will host the mini-tournament between the 13th and 19th November 2019, Switzerland and Gibraltar. The top two from the qualifying group qualify for the Elite Stage of the 2020 competition.

 

The Gibraltar Football Association has intimated that they wish to play their opening EURO 2020 qualifier against Ireland at their home ground the Victoria Stadium. The ground capacity is 2,300 with Ireland set to receive just 300 tickets for the match. The contest is scheduled to kick-off at 6pm local time (5pm Irish time) on the afternoon of Saturday the 23rd March 2019.
The March meeting of RISSC (London), originally scheduled for Friday the 22nd March, will now be brought forward to Thursday the 21st March at 7.30pm.