Category: Latest News

The Airtricity League First Division semi-final play-off process commenced on Friday evening when Drogheda United, who finished fourth in the league campaign, went down to a one nil defeat by Shelbourne who finished third, in United Park this Friday evening. The second leg is set for Tolka Park on Monday the 8th October, with the victors progressing to meet league runners-up Finn Harps, again over two legs. 

Shane Duffy, who earlier in the day signed a five year contract extension, was in his customary centre back position for Brighton & Hove Albion who scored the only goal to defeat visitors West Ham United at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Friday evening.

Following their opening match victory over mini-tournament hosts Lithuania, our U19 Women continued their 2019 European Championship Group Eight qualifying campaign when they defeated the Faroe Islands by three goals to nil on Friday afternoon in Marijampole. The hosts went down to a two nil defeat by the Ukraine later in the afternoon which means Ireland and the Ukraine, who meet on Monday afternoon, have both qualified for the next Elite Stage.  

The Championship continued on Wednesday evening with Blackburn Rovers, who had Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in defence, going down to a two nil defeat at home to Sheffield United for whom John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started. Derby County and Richard Keogh were held to a one all draw by Norwich City at Pride Park while Nottingham Forest saw a two goal lead erased by  Millwall following the sixty seventh minute introduction of Aiden O’Brien with starter Shaun Williams scoring the first at the City Ground. Rotherham United had Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Anthony Forde a sixty ninth minute substitute in their scoreless draw with visitors Bristol City for whom Callum O’Dowda was substituted on sixty one minutes. Sheffield Wednesday saw a two goal lead erased by visitors West Bromwich Albion following the sixty fifth minute introduction of Wes Hoolihan at Hillsborough.  

Airtricity League U19 Champions Bohemian commenced their UEFA Youth League challenge on Wednesday afternoon when they went down to a two one defeat by Danish Champions Midtjylland at the Arena Herning in the first round first leg of the competition. Steven Nolan’s late goal today creates an interesting second leg set for Dalymount Park on the evening of Wednesday the 24th October 2018.

Also in action in this competition was Ryan Nolan, who captained Inter Milan in their two one defeat by PSV in Eindhoven. This also  sets up an interesting second leg in Milan in three weeks time.  

The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with stuttering Aston Villa held to a three all draw at home to bottom side Preston North End. Conor Hourihane started for Villa and was replaced on eighty three minutes by Glenn Whelan, while once touted Ireland goalkeeping target Mark Bunn started for the first time this season. Long time groin injury casualty Scott Hogan was on the Villa bench, also for the first time this season. Alan Browne and Callum Robinson both started for Preston while Graham Burke was an unused substitute. Alan Judge started for Brentford in their one all draw with visitors Birmingham City and Darren Randolph was in action for Middlesbrough in their two nil victory at Ipswich Town. Broken arm victim James McClean returned to action as a sixty eight minute substitute for Stoke City in their two nil victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers who had Marc Wilson in defence. 

Ronan Curtis scored the only goal for First Division leaders Portsmouth in their one nil victory at Coventry City.    

Our U19 Women commenced their 2019 European Championship Qualifying Campaign with a crushing seven nil victory over mini-tournament hosts Lithuania in Alytus this Tuesday afternoon. The hosts presented a barrier of resistance for the opening thirty minutes but once Heather Payne scored on thirty one minutes, the floodgates opened. Alannah McEvoy, Isibeal Atkinson, Tiegan Ruddy, Chloe Singleton, Carla McManus and Payne with her second added to the total. In the other group contest, the Ukraine defeated the Faroe Islands by four goals to nil. In their next encounter, Ireland face the Faroes in Marijampole at 1pm on Friday afternoon.

There was one late change to the travelling squad, with Aoife Thompson of Galway WFC replacing the injured Sion Swifts midfielder Amy Boyle Carr.