Category: Latest News

Derry City have won the first trophy of the 2018 Irish domestic season with a three one victory over First Division side Cobh Ramblers in the EA Sports Cup final played in the Brandywell this afternoon.

There was more Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with Matt Doherty earning the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his wing back performance for Wolverhampton Wanderers in their one nil victory over visitors Burnley who included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Kevin Long and Stephen Ward unused substitutes. Later in the afternoon the currently ‘undecided’ Declan Rice was impressive in the holding midfield role for West Ham United who defeated Everton by three goals to one at Goodison Park. 

There was very little Irish involvement in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Harry Arter started for Cardiff City in their four one defeat at Chelsea but was withdrawn at half-time with a stomach upset while Greg Cunningham was an unused substitute. Cyrus Christie completed the full ninety minutes for Fulham in their three nil defeat at Manchester City while Ciaran Clark was a half-time substitute for Newcastle United who went down to a two one defeat by visitors Arsenal at St James Park, with Clark scoring the ‘Magpies’ goal in added  time.  

The Championship resumed on Saturday afternoon with Blackburn Rovers conceding an added time equaliser to an exquisite free kick converted by seventy seventh minute substitute Conor Hourihane for Aston Villa at Ewood Park. Darragh Lenihan started in central defence for the hosts while Derrick Williams, returning following injury, was introduced from the bench on seventy three minutes.  Bristol City scored the only goal following a cross from sixty second minute substitute Callum O’Dowda to defeat visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven. Millwall had Ireland goalscorers Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Leeds United at the New Den. Callum Robinson scored for Preston North End in their three two defeat by visitors Reading while Graham Burke was an eightieth minute substitute. Rotherham United, scored the only goal, a penalty converted by Ryan Manning, to defeat visitors Derby County. Loanee Richie Towell also started for Rotherham while Richard Keogh was in defence for the ‘Rams’.  Norwich City scored the only goal to defeat visitors Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph at Carrow Road.

In the First Division, Irish eyes were focussed on Ronan Curtis who started for Portsmouth who superseded their hosts Peterborough United at the top of the table with a two one victory.

 

The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Friday evening with second place Cork City journeying to face Bohemian in Dalymount Park  where they suffered a crushing four two defeat which leaves  their chance of retaining their League Title hanging by a thread. Third place Shamrock Rovers trounced Limerick, likely candidates for the relegation play-offs, by five goals to nil in Tallaght Stadium while Fourth place Waterford defeated relegation favourites Bray Wanderers by two goals to nil at the Regional Sports Centre.
On Saturday evening in the Showgrounds, St Patrick’s Athletic collected the points with a two one victory over hosts Sligo Rovers.   

UCD have won the Airtricity League First Division and promotion to the Premier Division following their one all draw with second place Finn Harps in the Bowl this Friday evening. The Ballybofey side are assured of a play-off position while there is a three way contest for the remaining two play-off roles. Third place Shelbourne, are on forty seven points, following their one all draw with Cabinteely at Stradbrook while Drogheda United superseded Longford Town in fourth place with a two one victory over them in United Park. One point separates the pair with just one match remaining.  

Our Under 16 side played out a one all draw with their hosts Bulgaria in their second friendly international at 3pm (Irish time) in Sofia on Thursday afternoon. Head Coach Paul Osam ran the rule over those members of his nineteen player travelling squad who did not see any action in the first encounter on Tuesday afternoon. Cork City midfielder Oran Crowe gave Ireland the lead but the hosts recovered to secure a draw which was probably a fair outcome.