Category: Latest News

The third round of the EFL Cup continued on Wednesday evening with Arsenal defeating Brentford by three goals to one at the Emirates Stadium where Alan Judge completed the full ninety minutes and scored the ‘Bees’ goal with a superb free kick. Nottingham Forest included Daryl Murphy in their starting eleven and he scored in their three two victory over visitors Stoke City. League Two basement side Macclesfield Town were crushed eight nil by West Ham United at the London Stadium where Declan Rice joined the fray after just nine minutes and eighteen year old midfielder Conor Coventry was introduced for the second half.  

Dundalk moved twelve points clear at the summit of the Airtricity League Premier Division following their three two victory over Derry City in Oriel Park this Tuesday evening. With just four series of matches remaining the ‘Lilywhites’ are almost certainly Champions.

The first series of matches in round three of the English Football League Cup took place this Tuesday evening with AFC Bournemouth, who had nineteen year old goalkeeper Mark Travers on the bench, securing a three two victory over Championship visitors Blackburn Rovers who included Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven. League One side Burton Albion, with former U21 international Damian McClure at left back, came from behind to defeat Burnley by two goals to one. Kevin Long started and scored the opener while Stephen Ward also started with Jeff Hendrick introduced from the bench on seventy four minutes. Millwall had Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven with Shaun Williams a late substitute in their three one home defeat by Fulham for whom Cyrus Christie completed the full ninety minutes and scored the third goal. Callum Robinson scored the opener for Preston North End but visitors Middlesbrough recovered and the match ended in a two all draw with Middlesbrough prevailing by four goals to three in the penalty shoot-out. Wes Hoolihan completed the full ninety minutes for West Bromwich Albion in their three nil home defeat by Crystal Palace. Richard Keogh was among the penalty shoot-out scorers for Derby County who knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford by eight penalties to seven after a two all draw. 

The tribute match in respect of the late Liam Miller, between the Manchester United Legends managed by Roy Keane and a Republic of Ireland & Glasgow Celtic Legends side managed by Martin O’Neill will take place at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. The match, to raise funds for Liam’s widow and three young children, is a 45,000 sell out and will be followed later that evening by a Gala Dinner in Cork City Hall, which is also sold out.

Because of significant interest the organising committee has arranged to print special non-attendance commemorative e-tickets which together with a special match day brochure can be purchased for just €5 + €2 postage & packaging. Full details are available on the Liam Miller Testimonial Website – www.supportliammiller.com     

The London Stadium meeting of West Ham United and Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon ended in a scoreless draw and featured Declan Rice in the holding midfield role for the hosts, which he performed with calm assurance. The nineteen year old has of course been the subject of endless debate and speculation surrounding his international future, the definitive decision on which is awaited.

The final set of regular season fixtures in the Airtricity League First Division took place this Saturday evening with Drogheda United securing the third play-off place following their two nil victory over Cobh Ramblers in St Colman’s Park. Longford Town, their challengers for that prize, came from two goals down against the Champions UCD to secure a draw but it was not enough. Finn Harps, already assured of second place, crushed Cabinteely by seven goals to one in Finn Park while third place Shelbourne defeated Galway United by three goals to nil in Tolka Park.

Drogheda United and Shelbourne will now face each other over two legs with the winner then meeting Finn Harps, again over two legs, to determine who will contest the two legged play-off final with the ninth placed Premier Division side which looks likely to be Limerick with the winners participating in the Premier Division next season.

There were two Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures played this Saturday afternoon with Shamrock Rovers reclaiming third position following a one nil victory over Derry City at the Brandywell while Bohemian continued their excellent vein of form with a three one success against St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park.