Category: Latest News

Current news headliner Declan Rice was in excellent midfield form for West Ham United who went through to the next round of the EFL Cup with a hard fought three one victory at AFC Wimbledon who played for more than an hour with ten men this Tuesday evening. Our U21 captain Josh Cullen was an unused substitute for the ‘Hammers’. Burton Albion, for whom midweek signing Stephen Quinn played the first half, defeated Aston Villa by one goal to nil. Conor Hourihane was in midfield for Villa while Glenn Whelan and Jake Doyle-Hayes were unused substitutes. Alan Judge completed his first ninety minutes of the season as Brentford defeated Cheltenham Town by one goal to nil. Chiedozie Ogbene was a seventy fifth minute substitute for the ‘Bees’. Greg Cunningham made his Cardiff City debut but suffered disappointment as his side went down to a three one defeat at home to Norwich City. Young defender Conor Shaughnessy started for Leeds United but was substituted at half-time in their two nil home defeat by Preston North End for whom Alan Browne was a late substitute while Graham Burke was unused on the bench.

Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Dundalk suffered an added time defeat by visitors Shamrock Rovers in Oriel Park this evening. With the sides level at one goal each the ‘Hoops’ were awarded a penalty three minutes into added time which was converted by Dylan Watts. The ‘Lilywhites’ remain three points clear of Cork City at the summit with seven matches remaining for both clubs while Shamrock Rovers move to within one point of third place Waterford.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the 2018 Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup was made this evening with the ties set to be played on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th September.
Derry City v Bohemian
Limerick v Dundalk
Longford Town v Cork City
UCD v Waterford

Manager Martin O’Neill has announced a provisional thirty one man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League contest against Wales in Cardiff followed by the friendly encounter in Poland. The most notable absentee and now primary talking point is Declan Rice who, it is reported, has been approached by England and has now requested ‘time’ to consider his position. Sean McDermott of Kristiansund BK in Norway receives his first call-up while fellow netminder Kieran O’Hara is also included but is expected to link up with the U21 squad who have two European Championship qualifiers during the same timeframe. International clearance has been obtained for Preston North End striker Callum Robinson while the uncapped Aiden O’Brien of Millwall is also included in this initial squad. The squad will be revised on Monday the 3rd September following the weekend league fixtures.
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Kieran O’Hara (Macclesfield Town), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough).
Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Kevin Long (Burnley), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Stephen Ward (Burnley).
Midfielders: Harry Arter (Cardiff City), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Judge (Brentford), James McClean (Stoke City). David Meyler (Reading), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City),Shaun Williams (Millwall).
Forwards: Graham Burke (Preston North End), Shane Long (Southampton), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Jonathan Walters (Burnley). 

There was more Irish involvement in the Scottish Premiership early on Sunday afternoon with former U21 international Carl McHugh scoring one of the goals for Motherwell in their three all draw with visitors Glasgow Rangers. Conor Sammon was a late substitute for the Fir Park hosts. Jonny Hayes was an unused substitute for  Glasgow Celtic who defeated visitors Hamilton Accademical with the only goal at Parkhead. 

There was further Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with newly promoted Fulham, for whom Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute, securing a four two victory over a Burnley side who suffered a three one Europa League third round first leg defeat in Greece on Thursday evening. Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward both started again today, with Hendrick scoring after ten minutes, but Kevin Long was an unused substitute. Jon Walters appears to be out of favour while Robbie Brady is still seeking to regain full fitness following his lengthy injury absence. Also in late afternoon action were Newcastle United, for whom Ciaran Clark was on central defensive duty, who went down to a two one defeat by visitors  Chelsea at St James Park. 

There was further Championship action early on Sunday afternoon when QPR loanee Ryan Manning played his part for Rotherham United who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Millwall in the AESSEAL New York Stadium. The winning goal was scored on twenty minutes by Norwich City loanee Sean Raggett. The 6’6″ centre back has been capped by England at non-league ‘C’ level but is believed to also be eligible for Ireland. The visiting ‘Lions’ included Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven.