Category: Latest News

Saturday
The Premier League resumed on Saturday afternoon with new manager Stephen Gerrard taking charge of Aston Villa who defeated Brighton & Hove Albion who included Shane Duffy in their side by two goals to nil at Villa Park. The former Villa manager and now new Norwich City boss Dean Smith also got off to a winning start with his new side who recovered from the concession of an early goal to defeat visitors Southampton by two goals to one at Carrow Road. Both Adam Idah and Andrew Omobamidele were unused substitutes for the victors while Shane Long and Will Smallbone were also unused on the visitors bench. Burnley duo Nathan Collins and Kevin Long remained on the bench at Turf Moor as the ‘Clarets’ played out a three all draw with visitors Crystal Palace. Another new manager Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United but was unable to attend their three all draw with visitors Brentford because of Covid restrictions. Ciaran Clark was in the ‘Magpies’ side but Jeff Hendrick was again excluded from the matchday squad. 

Scottish Premiership side St Mirren included Jamie McGrath who scored their goal in a one all draw with visitors Livingston. 

Glasgow Celtic reached the Scottish League Cup final with a one nil victory over visitors St Johnstone. James McCarthy was a 78th minute substitute for the victors while Liam Scales remained on the bench. 

There was a 12.30pm kick-off for the Championship clash of Sheffield United and Coventry City which ended in a scoreless draw. John Egan, Enda Stevens and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane were named in the ‘Blades’ starting eleven. Bristol City included Callum O’Dowda in their starting eleven and he scored the goal in the one all draw with visitors Blackburn Rovers. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was a 75th minute substitute for West Bromwich Albion who went down to a one nil defeat at Huddersfield Town while Callum Robinson was an unused substitute for the ‘Baggies’. Club captain Alan Browne and his Preston North End colleagues, who included Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire who scored after just two minutes, went down to a two one defeat by visitors Cardiff City for whom Mark McGuinness scored the equaliser and half-time substitute James Collins the winner. Peterborough United and Jack Taylor went down to a two nil defeat at Stoke City. Swansea City included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi a 72nd minutes substitute as they were held to a one all draw by visitors Blackpool.

In League One, Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and his Portsmouth colleagues secured  a two one success over visitors AFC Wimbledon. Chiedoze Ogbene started and Joshua Kayode was a 68th minute substitute for Rotherham United who defeated visitors Cambridge United by three goals to one. The visitors goal was created by the veteran Wes Hoolihan. There was disappointment for Daryl Horgan who was an unused substitute for Wycombe Wanderers in their one nil victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers.

Sunday
Captain Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues went down to a three nil defeat at Manchester City in the Premier League this Sunday afternoon while Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to defeat visitors Leeds United by two goals to one. Matt Doherty was an unused substitute foir the victors.  

Following a further points deduction Derby County are in serious Championship relegation trouble which is bad news for Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele. The ‘Rams’ played host at noon to leaders AFC Bournemouth who included Mark Travers in their starting eleven while Gavin Kilkenny was a 61st minute substitute. Knight gave the ‘Rams’ the lead on 11 minutes but the ‘Cherries’ responded to lead by two goals to one at the interval. The second half saw the hosts mount a fightback and they scored twice for an unexpected victory.

Josh Cullen and his RSC Anderlecht colleagues played out a one all  Belgian First Division draw with visitors KV Kortrijk.

AIK Solna included Zak Elbouzedi in their side for their one nil  Swedish Allsvenskan victory at Varbergs BoIS to maintain their third place on the league table just two points behind the leaders. 

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)

 

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Head Coach Vera Pauw named the same starting eleven that faced Sweden for this afternoon’s 2023 World Cup qualifier against Finland in the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki where Ireland secured  a very significant two one victory against the second seeds (26/10/2021).

A Megan Connolly free kick on 10 minutes gave Ireland the lead and disciplined defending maintained that scoreline to the half-time break. Finland started the second half on the front foot and equalised just seven minutes after the re-start. The Irish response was swift and just four minutes later they reclaimed  the lead with a headed goal from Denise O’Sullivan. The hosts did  mount several attacks  but again the defence stood strong and held the advantage to the end.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Rianna Jarrett for Lucy Quinn 75′

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Our Senior Women, under the guidance of Head Coach Vera Pauw, commenced their 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign with a one nil defeat by top seeds and world Number 2 ranked Sweden in Tallaght Stadium this Thursday evening (21/10/2021).

The team was set up in a solid 4-5-1 formation and stuck valiantly to their task for the full 90+6 minutes. The goal which defeated us came on 39 minutes and was an extremely unfortunate ‘own goal’ from Louise Quinn.

The ‘Player of the Match’ award went to goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and while none could be faulted for commitment and effort there were sterling performers in midfielder Lucy Quinn who was earning just her second cap, Denise O’Sullivan and captain Katie McCabe.

The squad will now re-group and travel to take on second seeds Finland in the Olympic Stadium at 4.15pm next Tuesday afternoon with RTE 2 and RTE Player bringing live coverage from Helsinki.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Amber Barrett for Finn 74′
Leanne Kiernan for Payne 74′
Saoirse Noonan for Lucy Quinn 90’+3′

Squad
Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Amanda Budden (Shelbourne), 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), Harriet Scott (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), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln),  Rianna Jarrett London City Lionesses), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

 

The 2021 Airtricity League Premier Division regular season reached it’s conclusion on Friday evening. With the top three positions and the bottom place relegation already confirmed, there remained two matters to be resolved. The battle for fourth place went the way of Derry City who came from behind to secure a two one victory over Dundalk in Oriel Park while Bohemian played out a one all draw with Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds. The ‘Gypsies’ still have the opportunity to claim the European place from the ‘Candystripes’ with victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup Final. 

The trauma of a relegation play-off rested between Finn Harps and Waterford who were equal on points but the Donegal side had a much superior goal difference. Finn Harps ensured that goal difference was irrelevant with a five nil victory over already relegated Longford Town while Waterford played out a scoreless draw with second place St Patrick’s Athletic in the RSC. Champions Shamrock Rovers came from behind to complete their season with a two one victory over Drogheda United in Tallaght Stadium.

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers(Champions) 36 24  6  6  59 28   31   78
St Patrick’s Athletic      36 18  8 10  56 42   14   62
Sligo Rovers               36 16  9 11  43 32   11   57
Derry City                 36 14 12 10  49 42    7   54
Bohemian                   36 14 10 12  60 46   14   52
Dundalk                    36 13  9 14  44 46   -2   48
Drogheda United            36 12  8 16  45 43    2   44
Finn Harps                 36 11 11 14  44 52   -8   44
Waterford                  36 12  6 18  35 55  -20   42
Longford Town(R)           36  2  9 25  22 71  -49   15

The Airtricity League First Division play-off final between Bray Wanderers and UCD to determine who will face the ninth placed Premier Division side in the Promotion/Relegation Final took place in Dalymount Park this Friday evening and saw the ‘Students’ emerge victorious by two goals to nil.

UCD and Waterford will now play-off to determine which club will participate in the Premier Division next season.

Our U21 side scored the only goal in the third minute of added time to defeat second seeds Sweden in a crucial European U21 Championship qualifier at Tallaght Stadium this Tuesday evening. Ireland had the majority of the scoring opportunities but were unable to find the net until those final seconds when substitute Oliver O’Neill, who was introduced just nine minutes earlier, scored the all important winner.

While top seeds Italy will be expected to win the Group, the battle for second place and a place in the play-offs remains a possibility for Ireland. We currently trail Sweden by four points but do have a match in hand. Our next outing in March next year, the away fixture in Sweden, will present a huge challenge and is likely to be definitive to the outcome of the Group.

Team: Brian Maher; Lee O’Connor, Jake O’Brien, Mark McGuinness, Joel Bagan;  Lee O’Connor, Will Smallbone, Conor Coventry, Gavin Kilkenny, Tyreik Wright; Will Smallbone, Joshua Kayode, Ross Tierney
Substitutes:
Will Ferry for Tierney 68′
Evan Ferguson for Kayode 76′
Conor Noss for Smallbone 84′
Oliver O’Neill for Wright 84′

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Sweden                      7  4  2  1  18  5   13   14
Italy                       5  4  1  0   9  2    7   13
Republic of Ireland         6  3  1  2   7  5    2   10
Bosnia & Herzegovina        7  2  2  3   8 12   -4    8
Montenegro                  7  2  1  4   9 13   -4    7
Luxembourg                  6  0  1  5   2 16  -14    1

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Our U21 side went down to a two nil defeat by top seeds Italy in this evening’s European Championship qualifier played in Tallaght Stadium. Ireland started the match quite brightly with Tyreik Wright on the left flank causing problems for the Italian defence but were unable to capitalise on some excellent deliveries from the Aston Villa man who is currently on loan at Salford City. As the half progressed Italy began to take control and took the lead approaching the half hour mark when Jake O’Brien stumbled making an absolute hash of a clearance which was seized upon and converted by Italy. Thereafter Italy took command with their greater quality and technique evident. Ireland did up their tempo following the introduction of substitutes Festy Ebosele and Joshua Kayode and later substitute Ross Tierney looked set to equalise but was thwarted by an excellent save by the Italian goalkeeper. The match was secured by Italy with their second goal in the final minute of normal time. Captain Conor Coventry was Ireland’s standout player while fellow midfielder Gavin Kilkenny also provided some moments of quality.

Team: Brian Maher; Lee O’Connor, Jake O’Brien, Mark McGuinness, Joel Bagan; Will Smallbone, Conor Noss, Conor Coventry, Gavin Kilkenny, Tyreik Wright; Colm Whelan
Substitutes:
Festy Ebosele for Noss 56′
Joshua Kayode for Whelan 56′
Dawson Devoy for Smallbone 76′
Ross Tierney for Kilkenny 76′

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Republic of Ireland U21 Head Coach Jim Crawford has announced  his 25 man squad for the upcoming European U21 Championship qualifying contests against Italy and Sweden.

Friday    12 November     RoI v Italy          17.30 Tallaght Stadium [Live RTE 2]
Tuesday 16 November     RoI v Sweden    17.30  Tallaght Stadium [Live RTE 2]

 Squad 

Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers on loan at Cliftonville), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Ryan Johansson (Seville-on loan at Fortuna Sittard),  Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), William Hondermarck (Barnsley)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Armstrong Oko-Flex (West Ham United), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)

 

Our U19 side, with Tom Mohan at the helm, qualified for the Elite Stage of the 2022 European U19 Championship with a two nil victory over Group 6 hosts Bulgaria early this Tuesday afternoon. Ireland finished second on goal, difference behind Bosnia & Herzegovina. Ireland took the lead on 24 minutes with a Johnny Kenny penalty kick and the second came in the 82nd minute from debutant defender Sean Roughan. The draw for the Elite Stage is set to take place at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon during December.

Team: Arlo Doherty; James Abankwah, David Okagbue, Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (c), Sean Roughan; Jack Henry-Francis, Ed McJannet; Johnny Kenny, Aidomo Emakhu, Cian Hayes; Sinclair Armstrong
Substitutes:
Evan Caffrey for Hayes 46′
Andrew Moran for Emakhu 46′
Kevin Zefi for Kenny 75′
Sam Curtis for Abankwah 85′
Kian Corbally for Henry-Francis 90′

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Bosnia & Herzegovina        3  2  1  0   7  1    6    7
Republic of Ireland         3  2  1  0   6  3    3    7
Montenegro                  3  1  0  2   3  7   -4    3
Bulgaria                    3  0  0  3   0  5   -5    0

 

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Our U19 side continued their European Championship qualifying campaign when they played out a one all draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday afternoon in Bulgaria. Ireland opened the scoring on 26 minutes through Johnny Kenny but the very physical B&H side equalised two minutes before the half-time break. Ireland dis create a number of goal scoring opportunities but were able to convert.

In the other Group contest, Montenegro scored  the only goal to defeat host Bulgaria. The Group will be decided early on Tuesday afternoon with Ireland facing hosts Bulgaria while Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro meet in the other contest.

Team: Arlo Doherty; James Abankwah, Bosun Lawal (C), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, Tayo Adaramola; Jack Henry-Francis, Ed McJannet; Johnny Kenny, Val Adedokun, Andrew Moran; Sinclair Armstrong
Substitutes:
Kian Corbally for Henry-Francis 46′
Kevin Zefi for Kenny 71′
Aidomo Emakhu for Adedokun 88′

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Our U19 side commenced their 2021/22 European Championship campaign with a three two victory over Montenegro in Bulgaria this afternoon. Ireland were in total command throughout the regulation 90 minutes and two goals from QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong, who is currently on loan at Torquay United, and another from the ‘Riverstown Red’ Johnny Kenny of Sligo Rovers gave Ireland a comfortable lead with some 15 minutes remaining. There came quite a jolt in added time with an own goal swiftly followed by a second for Montenegro, however Ireland rode out the mini-storm to collect the three points.

In the other Group 6 contest, Bosnia & Herzegovina defeated mini-tournament hosts Bulgaria by two goals to nil.  The hosts did have a player dismissed shortly before the half-time interval.

Team: Dan Rose; James Abankwah, Bosun Lawal (C), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, Tayo Adaramola; Jack Henry-Francis, Ed McJannet; Johnny Kenny, Evan Caffrey, Andrew Moran; Sinclair Armstrong
Substitutes:
Aidomo Emakhu for Caffrey 72′
Sam Curtis for MacNally 86′
Kian Corbally for Henry-Francis 86′
Kevin Zefi for Armstrong 87′
David Okagbue for Abankwah 90’+2′

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Republic of Ireland U19 Head Coach Tom Mohan has named  his 20 player squad for  the 2021/22 UEFA Championship qualifying Group 6 in Bulgaria between the 10th and 16th November 2021.

Fixtures
Wednesday 10 November:
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Montenegro 12.30pm
Bulgaria 0-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina   12.30pm
Saturday 13 November:
Republic of Ireland v Bosnia & Herzegovina  12.30pm
Bulgaria v Montenegro  12.30pm
Tuesday 16 November: 
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria 12.30pm
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Montenegro  12.30pm

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arlo Doherty (Leicester City), Dan Rose (Schalke 04)

Defenders: James Abankwah (St Patrick’s Athletic), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Val Adedokun (Brentford), Sam Curtis (St Patrick’s Athletic), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), David Okaghue (Stoke City), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders: Evan Caffrey (UCD), Kian Corbally (St Patrick’s Athletic), Jack Henry-Francis (Arsenal),  Bosun Lawal (Glasgow Celtic),  Ed McJannett (Luton Town)

Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (QPR on loan at Torquay United), Aidomo Emakhu (Shamrock Rovers), Cian Hayes (Fleetwood Town), Johnny Kenny (Sligo Rovers), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan) 

Our U18 side went down to a one nil defeat when they faced Sweden in the second of their international friendly contests in Marbella this Sunday afternoon. The winning goal came after just 11 minutes and while Ireland had  a number of goal scoring opportunities they were unable to convert any of them. Head Coach Colin O’Brien expressed satisfaction with the performance of his charges during both meetings with Sweden.

Team: Stephen McMullan; John Ryan, Harry Nevin, Cathal Heffernan; Edwin Albaje(c); Justin Ferizaj, David Toure, Joshua Ireland; Tom Lonergan, Ben Quinn, Rio McEvoy
Substitutes:
Harry Vaughan for McEvoy 10′
Rocco Vata for Quinn 27′
Luke Pearce for Ireland 46′
Cian Coleman for Toure 61′

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Our Republic of Ireland Under 18 side conceded an added time equaliser for a two all draw in the first of two friendly internationals with Sweden in Marbella this Thursday afternoon. The Scandinavian side took the lead on 28 minutes and might have scored a second when they hit the cross bar just before the half-time break. The break proved beneficial for Head Coach Colin O’Brien and his players, with Ireland much improved in the second half.  Billy Brooks provided  the equaliser on 65 minutes and substitute Ben Quinn gave Ireland the lead minutes later and might have consolidated the lead  shortly after but was thwarted by a fine save from the Swedish goalkeeper. There was disappointment in the first minute of added time when Sweden equalised.

Team: Conor Walsh; Josh Seary, Alex Murphy, Ben Curtis; Tommy Fogarty; Rocco Vata, Harry Vaughan, Cian Coleman; Conor Barrett, Luke Pearce, Billy Brooks
Substitutes:
Justin Ferizaj for Vata 67′
Ben Quinn for Barrett 67′
Edwin Agbaje for Brooks 67′
Tom Lonergan for Pearce 85′

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Republic of Ireland Under 18 Head Coach Colin O’Brien has named a twenty two man squad for a brace of friendly internationals against Sweden in Marbella on Thursday the 11th and Sunday the 14th November. 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Stephen McMullan (Warrenpoint), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers)
Defenders: Ben Curtis (St Patrick’s Athletic), Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City),  Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), Harry Nevin (Preston North End), John Ryan (Shamrock Rovers), Josh Seary (Preston North End), David Toure (Shelbourne)
Midfielders: Conor Barrett (Birmingham City), Billy Brooks (Lincoln City), Cian Coleman (Leeds United), Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Joshua Ireland (Stoke City), Rocco Vata (Glasgow Celtic), Harry Vaughan (Oldham Athletic)
Forwards: Edwin Agbaje (Ipswich Town), Tom Lonergan(St Patrick’s Athletic),  Rio McEvoy (Bolton Wanderers), Luke Pearce (Southampton), Ben Quinn (Glasgow Celtic)

 

Our Republic of Ireland team executed their mission of revenge for the Dublin debacle last March with an emphatic three nil victory in Luxembourg this Sunday evening in the final contest of our 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. The first half did provide some concerns with an absence of fluidity as we lacked control, a fact acknowledged by Stephen Kenny in his post match interview. There were some positive moments during the opening half  with a John Egan header which went just over the crossbar and a shot from Chiedoze Ogbene which was just too straight the primary examples. Highlight of the half was undoubtedly a brilliant save made by Gavin Bazunu on 27 minutes.

The early stages of the second half provided some moments of concern with the tts putting the ball in the net but it was ruled out, a touch fortuitously perhaps, for a foul on Shane Duffy in the build-up. Thereafter, Ireland slowly began to gain control and the introduction of Jason Knight for the ineffectual Adam Idah on 62 minutes was the catalyst for further positive momentum. Six minutes after his introduction, Knight‘s drive towards the penalty area was halted unceremoniously and from the resultant free kick, delivered by Josh Cullen, the head of Shane Duffy nodded Ireland in front. The goal proved the catalyst for increased composure and confidence and seven minutes later Knight was again the conductor as his back heeled lay-off  enabled ‘player of the match’ Chiedoze Ogbene to score his second international goal.  The Knight show was still not over as, with two minutes of normal time remaining, he collected a fine diagonal cross from James McClean and literally put it on a plate for Callum Robinson to score the third goal and take his personal goal tally to six in the past four matches.

The victory enabled Ireland to leapfrog Luxembourg into third place on the final Group Table which was where the seeding process suggested we would finish. This evening’s result, together with the three preceding matches has seen Ireland score ten goals without conceding any, which must lend itself to an air of positivity within the group and the great majority of the fan base. Tonight’s performance was not perfect and Stephen Kenny and his coaching team are fully aware that further improvement will be necessary. We must hope that the background contract extension rumblings are finally put to bed and Stephen and his team are encouraged to continue the rebuilding process which is gathering impressive momentum.

Team: Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman(C), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, James McClean; Chiedoze Ogbene, Adam Idah,  Callum Robinson
Substitutes:
Jason Knight for Idah 62′
Alan Browne for Ogbene 82′
Conor Hourihane for Cullen 90′
Andrew Omobamidele for Doherty 90′
Troy Parrott for Robinson 90′

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Manger Stephen Kenny has named his Republic of Ireland starting eleven for this evening’s final 2022 World Cup qualifier  in Luxembourg. The team shows two changes from Thursday’s draw with Portugal in Dublin. James McClean replaces Enda Stevens in the left wing back position while Adam Idah leads the line with Callum Robinson switching to the left flank in place of Jamie McGrath.

Team: Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman(C), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, James McClean; Chiedoze Ogbene, Adam Idah,  Callum Robinson

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Our Republic of Ireland Senior Squad have travelled  to Luxembourg where they will complete their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign against their hosts who inflicted the shock one nil defeat in Dublin which was in essence the death knell for our qualification hopes.

Jack Taylor of Peterborough United has linked up with the squad as replacement for the injured Jayson Molumby while Andrew Omobamidele, who missed the Portugal match with an Achilles injury, has travelled.