Category: Latest News

The hectic Championship schedule continued on Wednesday evening with Aston Villa scoring in the fifth minute of added time to secure a two all draw with visitors Brentford. Glenn Whelan started in midfield for the hosts with Conor Hourihane introduced for the final twelve minutes. Alan Judge was an unused substitute for the visitors. Darragh Lenihan was in central defence for Blackburn Rovers who came from two goals down to secure a two all draw with visitors Reading. The hosts goals both came from the penalty spot for fouls committed by visiting captain Paul McShane while David Meyler and John O’Shea were unused substitutes for the ‘Royals’. Alan Browne and Callum Robinson both started for Preston North End in their two nil defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road, while Graham Burke was an unused substitute. Also on their travels were Millwall, who went down to a two one defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.  Aiden O’Brien was substituted by the ‘Lions’ around the hour mark but Shaun Williams was not in the matchday squad. James McClean was in the Stoke City side which went down to a three nil home defeat by Wigan Athletic, who are managed by former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook.  

There was more Championship action on Tuesday evening with Richard Keogh and his Derby County colleagues securing a two nil victory over visitors Ipswich Town at Pride Park while Callum O’Dowda was a late substitute for Bristol City who defeated hosts Queens Park Rangers by three goals to nil at Loftus Road. Young Ryan Manning started for Rotherham United who went down to a three two defeat by visitors Hull City in the AESSEAL New York Stadium while fellow Galway native Conor Shaughnessy was an unused substitute for Leeds United who drew two each with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. 

Dundalk extended their lead at the summit of the Airtricity League Premier Division with a comfortable two nil victory over Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds this Monday evening. Goals in either half from Michael Duffy and Pat Hoban underpinned their success and they still have a further match in hand of second place Cork City.

 

Defending champions Cork City were unable to regain top spot in the Airtricity League Premier Division when they were held to a one all draw by visitors St Patrick’s Athletic in Turner’s Cross this Sunday evening. The ‘Rebels’ currently trail Dundalk on goal difference but the ‘Lilywhites’ do have two matches in hand and will themselves travel to face Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds on Monday evening. 

Burnley, currently a haven for Irish footballers with six players in their first team squad, went down to a disappointing three one defeat by visitors Watford at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League. Kevin Long, Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward all completed the full one hundred and twenty minutes of their Thursday evening Europa League success with Hendrick and Ward the only two outfield players to retain their starting roles today while Long reverted to the substitute bench. Jon Walters was not in the midweek squad and was again absent today while Robbie Brady is still seeking to regain full fitness and young defender Jimmy Dunne has been involved with the U23 side. Shane Duffy scored his first Premier League goal and was named ‘man of the match’ as his Brighton & Hove Albion defeated visitors Manchester United by three goals to two at the AMEX Stadium this afternoon. 

The Championship continued on Saturday afternoon with Bristol City, for whom Callum O’Dowda was a late substitute, going down to a two nil defeat at home to Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph while Hull City were also defeated at home by the only goal from visitors  Blackburn Rovers who had Darragh Lenihan in central defence. Portman Road hosted the one all draw between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa for whom Conor Hourihane was a late substitute while Glenn Whelan remained on the bench. The New Den witnessed the two one success of Millwall over visitors Derby County with both Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams, who scored the second goal, completing ninety minutes for the hosts as did Richard Keogh for the visitors. Reading had Paul McShane and David Meyler in their starting eleven with John O’Shea an unused substitute for their one nil home defeat by visitors Bolton Wanderers for whom Marc Wilson was also an unused substitute. Bramall Lane hosted the two one success of hosts Sheffield United over visitors Norwich City. John Egan opened the scoring for the ‘Blades’ and was joined in the starting eleven by Enda Stevens while David McGoldrick was introduced on the hour mark. Midweek loan signing Ryan Manning was a late substitute for Rotherham United who went down to a two nil defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road. The late kick-off saw the trio of Alan Browne, Graham Burke and Callum Robinson start for Preston North End in their two all draw with visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean was also a starter. Burke was again on the scoresheet following his midweek goal in the EFL Cup. 

Week Two in the Premier League kicked-off at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon when Cardiff City played out a scoreless draw with visitors Newcastle United. The ‘Bluebirds’ included loan signing Harry Arter in their starting eleven while £4 million summer signing Greg Cunningham was an unused substitute. Ciaran Clark retained his starting position for the ‘Magpies’ but Rob Elliot continues to be out of favour. Seamus Coleman started for Everton in their two one success over visitors Southampton for whom Shane Long was a fifty eight minute substitute. Leicester City defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers by two goals to nil, with Matt Doherty scoring an ‘own goal’ at the King Power Stadium, before being injured out following a tackle which earned the perpetrator Jamie Vardy a red card. Cyrus Christie was a very late substitute for Fulham in their three one defeat at Wembley Stadium by hosts Tottenham Hotspur.