Category: Latest News

In form QPR scored the only goal to defeat visitors Aston Villa at Loftus Road in the Championship on Friday evening. The visitors dominated possession but were unable to do much with it in the final third while the successful hosts looked threatening on the counter attack. Glenn Whelan joined the fray on forty one minutes and was solid in central midfield while both Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan remained on the substitute bench.  

Despite dominating the contest throughout, our Under 17 Women, guided by Head Coach Colin Bell, were held to a scoreless draw by their Welsh counterparts in their second European Championship Group Seven Qualifying contest played this Thursday morning in Stara Pazova, the Sports Centre of the Serbian FA. The result leaves Ireland a little vulnerable as they face the hosts Serbia in their final contest on Sunday afternoon. The hosts, who overcame Albania by eight goals to nil later today at the same venue, defeated Wales by four goals to nil in their opening encounter. 

Bohemian exited the UEFA Youth League following their two one defeat by Danish U19 Champions FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their  first round contest in Dalymount Park this Wednesday evening. Bohemian went down to a two one defeat in the first leg played at the Herning Arena three weeks ago but took the lead two minutes before the half-time break this evening with a penalty converted by Ali Reghba. However, a penalty conceded and scored on fifty five minutes coupled with an own goal after seventy seven minutes spelt an aggregate four two defeat.

The Championship continued on Wednesday evening with Bristol City scoring the only goal in added time to defeat visitors Hull City at Ashton Gate. Callum O’Dowda, having recovered from the head injury sustained on international duty, was introduced from the bench on fifty eight minutes while twenty two year old goalkeeper Max O’Leary retained his place following his excellent performance in the one nil victory at Brentford on Saturday last. The Preston North End duo of Alan Browne, who opened the scoring, and Callum Robinson who scored twice, started with Sean Maguire a last minute substitute in their four three victory over visitors Brentford for whom Alan Judge was introduced  from the bench on seventy six minutes. Wes Hoolihan was an unused substitute for West Bromwich Albion who crashed to a four one home defeat by visitors Derby County for whom Richard Keogh was in his usual centre back position.

High flying Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph retained top spot in the Championship despite being held to a scoreless draw at home to Rotherham United on Tuesday evening. The visitors included loanees Ryan Manning and Richie Towell in their starting eleven with Anthony Forde a late substitute. Millwall duo Aiden O’Brien, a half time substitute and Shaun Williams who started, helped their struggling club to come from behind and defeat visitors Wigan Athletic by two goals to one at the New Den. O’Brien earned the penalty which enabled Williams to equalise and both made significant contributions in a much improved second half performance. Norwich City came from behind to defeat visitors Aston Villa by two goals to one at Carrow Road where Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan started and Scott Hogan was a fifty fourth minute substitute for Villa. Another Irish trio, John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick were in the Sheffield United side for their one all draw with visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean was in action. Weekend match winning goal scorer Darragh Lenihan was injured off after just twelve minutes for Blackburn Rovers while Derrick Williams was unused on the bench as they went down to a three one defeat by  Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
In the First Division, the emerging Ronan Curtis and his Portsmouth colleagues were held to a two all draw by visitors Burton Albion in Fratton Park while north of the border, U21 centre back and Burnley loanee Jimmy Dunne was in action for current leaders Heart of Midlothian who secured a three nil victory at Dundee in the Scottish Premiership. Colin Doyle and Jake Mulraney were on the visiting bench while Darren O’Dea started for Dundee.   

The two delayed Airtricity League Premier Division contests took place this Monday evening with Bray Wanderers securing a two one victory over Derry City in the Carlisle Grounds while Sligo Rovers and Bohemian played out a one all draw in the Showgrounds.

Our U17 Women, led by Head Coach Colin Bell, commenced their 2019 European Championship qualifying campaign with a crushing fourteen nil victory over an abysmal Albania this Monday morning in the National Sports Centre of Serbia. The catalogue of Irish goalscorers reads:- Eabha O’Mahoney 3′(p), 45’+1′ Emily Whelan 7′, 25′, 52′ Emily Kraft 9′, 40′, 48′, 50′ Jessica Ziu 21′, 66′ (p) Katelyn Keogh 85′, 87′ Mia Dodd 90’+3′. In the other Group Seven fixture, the host nation Serbia defeated Wales by four goals to nil, again in the National Sports Centre. Ireland will next meet Wales in the NSC at 11am on Thursday the 25th October 2018.