Category: Latest News

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 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′

There were three Airtricity League Premier Division matches played this Friday evening.  Dalymount Park hosted the clash of bitter rivals Bohemian and Champions Shamrock Rovers which saw the ‘Gypsies’ prevail by three goals to one. St Patrick’s Athletic welcomed relegation play-off threatened Finn Harps to Richmond Park where the sides played out a two all draw. The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium hosted the meeting of Derry City and Sligo Rovers. who were without their leading goal scorer Johnny Kenny, who is on competitive international duty with the Ireland U19 side in Bulgaria. The ‘Candystripes’ emerged victorious by two goals to nil.

On Saturday evening, already relegated Longford Town played out a one all draw with visitors Waterford, who are in a dogfight with Finn Harps to avoid the ninth place relegation play-off position. 

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers(Champions) 35 23  6  6  57 27   30   75
St Patrick’s Athletic      35 18  7 10  56 42   14   61
Sligo Rovers               35 16  8 11  42 31   11   56
Bohemian                   35 14  9 12  59 45   14   51
Derry City                 35 13 12 10  47 41    6   51
Dundalk                    35 13  9 13  43 44   -1   48
Drogheda United            35 12  8 15  44 41    3   44
Finn Harps                 35 10 11 14  39 52  -13   41
Waterford                  35 12  5 18  35 55  -20   41
Longford Town(R)           35  2  9 24  22 66  -44   15

Ireland played out a scoreless draw with Portugal in this evening’s World Cup qualifier played at the Aviva Stadium. While the match itself did not reach any great heights, manager Stephen Kenny, the players, staff and the majority of the supporters will be satisfied with the outcome. Things looked a little ominous in the opening period with Portugal controlling much of the possession, putting the Irish defence under some degree of pressure but Ireland stood firm with captain Seamus Coleman a prominent and composed presence. Ireland gradually grew into the match and were the more dominant side throughout much of the second half. Clear cut chances for both sides were few and far between with Ireland’s best chances falling to Chiedozie Ogbene, who might have done better with a headed opportunity, and Josh Cullen whose shot while accurate lacked power.  While for the most part, Ireland kept a tight rein on visiting captain Ronaldo, he did have two efforts which were very close and on another day might have spelt defeat for Ireland. The sponsors ‘man of the match’ award again went to Callum Robinson who did work tirelessly but Coleman‘s performance may have been the more telling.

Team: Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman(C), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, Enda Stevens; Chiedoze Ogbene, Callum Robinson, Jamie McGrath
Substitutes:
Adam Idah for McGrath 61′
Conor Hourihane for Hendrick 78′
James McClean for Stevens 78′
Will Keane for Ogbene 90′

Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny has named his starting eleven for this evening’s 2022 World Cup qualifying contest against Portugal in the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm. Injury has ruled out Andrew Omobamidele (Achilles) and Jayson Molumby (Hamstring) while Daryl Horgan has been excluded from the matchday squad.

Team: Gavin Bazunu; Seamus Coleman(C), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, Enda Stevens; Chiedoze Ogbene, Callum Robinson, Jamie McGrath

Stephen Kenny and our Republic of Ireland squad have completed preparations for the World Cup qualifier against Portugal and are set to face a stiff examination in the Aviva Stadium this Thursday evening.

As expected, injured duo Andrew Omobamidele and Jayson Molumby have been excluded from the 23 man matchday squad  submitted to FIFA last night as has Daryl Horgan, which is something of a surprise.

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)