Category: Latest News

There was a full programme of Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures played this Monday afternoon and evening. Shamrock Rovers played host to Sligo Rovers in Tallaght Stadium where the visitors scored  the only goal to leapfrog their hosts at the summit of the league table. Third place St Patrick’s Athletic were held to a two all draw by Derry City in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Dalymount Park hosted the meeting of Bohemian and Dundalk which saw the ‘Gypsies’ crush their visitors by five goals to one. Promoted duo Drogheda United  and Longford Town met at Head in the Game Park where the hosts secured  a comfortable four one victory. Struggling Waterford took an an early lead against visitors Finn Harps in the RSC but the Donegal side recovered  to score twice in the second half for victory..

 

Sunday
The 2020/2021 Premier League season was completed on Sunday afternoon with all ten matches kicking-off at 4pm. With the top two places and the three relegation places already determined the primary focus was on the battle for the remaining  European Competition places to be secured  by the sides  finishing third to seventh.  Chelsea and Liverpool commenced the day in the third and fourth positions which bring Champions League qualification and both survived with the ‘Reds’ taking third with a two nil victory over Crystal Palace who included James McCarthy in their starting eleven. Chelsea went down to a two one defeat at Aston Villa but claimed fourth place as a result of Leicester City again capitulating on the final day, as they did last season, by going down to a four two home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur who included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven. The London side retained seventh  place which will grant them entry  into the new third European competition. West Ham United retained their sixth place position with a three nil victory over visitors Southampton at the London Stadium. Darren Randolph and Ademipo Odubeko were unused substitutes for the ‘Hammers’ while Michael Obafemi was an 84th minute substitute for the ‘Saints’ with Will Ferry an unused substitute. Arsenal defeated visitors Brighton & Hove Albion by two goals to nil to finish in eight position with Aaron Connolly a half-time substitute for the ‘Seagulls’.  In other contests, Fulham went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Newcastle United for whom  Jeff Hendrick was an 80th minute substitute while Ciaran Clark remained on the substitute bench. Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson started for West Bromwich Albion who went down to a three one defeat at Leeds United with the Irish duo withdrawn around the hour mark.  John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick started for Sheffield United who defeated visitors Burnley with the only goal from McGoldrick at Bramall Lane.  Jimmy Dunne was in central defence for the vanquished ‘Clarets’. 

The second leg of the League Two semi-final play-off between Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers ended in a one all draw which enabled the hosts to progress on an three two aggregate scoreline. Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor started for the  visitors but was withdrawn at half-time.

Josh Cullen started for RSC Anderlecht who were reduced to ten men following an early red card and went down to a one nil defeat at Royal Antwerp in the hectic finale to the Belgian First Division.

Saturday
The second legs of the Championship play-off semi-finals took place on Saturday afternoon with Brentford overturning a one nil first leg deficit with a three one victory over AFC Bournemouth at their new London Stadium. The visitors included Mark Travers, Gavin Kilkenny and loanee Shane Long on their substitute bench  with Long introduced for the final 10 minutes. Later at 5.30pm, the second semi-final took place at the Liberty Stadium where Swansea City, holding a one nil advantage from the first leg, played out a one all draw with Barnsley to progress to the final. Loanee Conor Hourihane started for the ‘Swans’ and was withdrawn on 74 minutes while Ryan Manning was unused on the substitute bench.

The second leg of the League One semi-final  play-off between Sunderland and Lincoln City took place at the Stadium of Light where the hosts won by two goals to one but it was not enough as the visitors held a two nil advantage from the first leg and progressed to the final where they will face Blackpool. Lincoln named Anthony Scully in their starting eleven but he was withdrawn at half-time for tactical reasons while Aiden McGeady started for the hosts with Aiden O’Brien introduced from the bench on 78th minutes. 

 

Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny is set to name his squad for a twelve day training camp in Spain with two friendly internationals taking place within that period. The squad will assemble in Girona on Friday the 28th May with the first contest against Andorra set for Thursday the 3rd June at 5pm in Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barcelona. The second contest is set for Tuesday the 8th June against Hungary in the Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest at 7pm.

The squad announcement is scheduled for Monday the 24th May 2021.  Definite absentees are injured duo Kevin Long and Callum O’Dowda while injury and remedial procedures cast serious doubt on the availability of Robbie Brady, Alan Browne, Ciaran Clark, Jeff Hendrick and Enda Stevens.

All ten Airtricity League Premier Division clubs were in action this Friday evening. New manager Mark Bircham took charge of Waterford  who went down to a one nil home by Derry City in the RSC while at the same time Richmond Park witnessed a dramatic finale to the meeting of Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemian. The visitors were the more dominant side throughout but conceded the opening goal but equalised from the penalty spot with just minutes remaining only for the hosts to also be awarded a penalty kick a couple of minutes later which they converted for a two one victory.  The remaining contests saw Dundalk defeat leaders Shamrock Rovers by two goals to one in Oriel Park, second place Sligo Rovers overcome Longford Town by two goals to nil in the Showgrounds and Finn Harps lose to an added time goal from visitors Drogheda United in Finn Park.

There was also a full Airtricity League First Division programme this evening. Leaders Shelbourne defeated second place UCD by three goals to one in Tolka Park while third place Athlone Town overcame visitors Cobh Ramblers by two goals to one.  Cabinteely defeated visitors Treaty United by two goals to one in Stradbrook while Cork City and Galway United played out a one all draw in Turner’s Cross. Bottom side Wexford remain pointless following their one nil defeat by visitors Bray Wanderers in Ferrycarrig Park.

 

Friday
The second leg in the first League One play-off semi-final between sixth place Oxford United and third place Blackpool took place in Bloomfield Road this Friday evening and ended in a three all draw. The hosts progress to the final on a 6-3 aggregate score following their three nil victory in the first leg at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday last.  The visitors  included Mark Sykes and Anthony Forde in their starting eleven this evening while QPR loanee Olamide Shodipo was a 69th minute substitute and scored five minutes after his introduction.

Thursday
Tranmere Rovers included Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in their starting eleven for the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final against Morecambe at Prenton Park this Thursday evening. Despite dominating for the majority of the contest, the hosts went down to a two one defeat and face an uphill task for the away second leg at 12.30pm next Sunday.  

Josh Cullen started for RSC Anderlecht who recovered from a two goal deficit to secure a three all draw with Club Bruges in the Belgian First Division this evening.  Cullen was withdrawn on 73 minutes.

Wednesday
Everton, whose poor home form in the Premier League has been destructive to their European ambitions, were back in Goodison Park on Wednesday evening when Wolverhampton Wanderers  were their visitors. Club captain Seamus Coleman was in action with ‘The Toffees’ as they secured victory with the only goal of the game.  Newcastle United scored the only goal to defeat relegated visitors Sheffield United for whom John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started while Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick were unused substitutes for the hosts. Matt Doherty was a very late substitute for Tottenham Hotspur who went down to a two one defeat by visitors Aston Villa. James McCarthy retained his starting position for Crystal Palace who suffered a three one defeat by visitors Arsenal at Selhurst Park. Jimmy Dunne was an unused  substitute for Burnley who went down to a three nil defeat by Turf Moor visitors Liverpool. Relegated West Bromwich Albion suffered a three one defeat by visitors West Ham United for whom Darren Randolph started following an injury sustained by regular goalkeeper Fabianski in the pre-match warm-up. Teenage striker Ademipo Odubeko was an unused substitute for the victorious ‘Hammers’. 

The first leg of the second League One play-off semi-final between fifth place Lincoln City and fourth place Sunderland took place at Sincil Bank this evening and saw the hosts secure a two nil advantage for the second leg at the Stadium of Light next Saturday afternoon.  Anthony Scully was in the ‘Imps’ starting eleven  while Aiden McGeady was a starter for the ‘Makems’.

Tuesday
Southampton welcomed Leeds United to St Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League at 6pm on Tuesday evening where they went down to a two nil home defeat. Further along the South Coast Brighton & Hove Albion played host to champions Manchester City at 7pm.  ‘Saints’ duo Michael Obafemi and Will Ferry were unused substitutes while  Aaron Connolly was also an unused substitute as ‘The Seagulls’ recovered from a two goal deficit to defeat the champions, who had been reduced to ten men following a 10th minute red card,  by three two goals to two. 

The first leg in the first League One play-off semi-final between sixth place Oxford United and third place Blackpool took place in the Kassam Stadium at 6pm. The visitors ran out comfortable three nil victors and will be expected  to confirm their place in the final when the second leg is played at Bloomfield Road on Friday evening. The hosts named  Mark Sykes in their starting eleven while  Anthony Forde  and QPR loanee Olamide Shodipo were very late substitutes.

Monday
The first legs of the Championship play-off semi-finals took place on Monday evening with  AFC Bournemouth, who finished sixth, playing host to third place Brentford at 6pm in the Vitality Stadium while fifth place Barnsley welcomed fourth place Swansea City to Oakwell at 8.15pm. The ‘Cherries’ secured  a one nil victory while goalkeeper Mark Travers and Southampton loanee Shane Long were unused on their substitute bench.  Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane  started for ‘The Swans’ who secured a one goal advantage for the second leg on Saturday next. Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for ‘the victorious visitors. 

 

 

Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Crystal Palace and James McCarthy coming from behind to defeat visitors Aston Villa by three goals to two at Selhurst Park. Matt Doherty  was an unused substitute for Tottenham Hotspur who defeated visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers by two goals to nil. Liverpool kept alive their hopes of a top, four place with a winning goal scored in the fifth minute of added time by goalkeeper Alisson to defeat already relegated West Bromwich Albion by two goals to one at the Hawthorns. Both  Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson were unused substitutes for the ‘Baggies’.  The late kick-off saw Everton and Seamus Coleman go down to another home defeat as relegated Sheffield United defeated them with the only goal at Goodison Park.  Irish trio  John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started and delivered excellent performances for the ‘Blades’.

There was a noon kick-off  for the Scottish Premiership meeting of St Mirren and Dundee United with the Jim Goodwin managed  hosts including Jamie McGrath, Conor McCarthy  and Dylan Connolly  in their starting eleven as the sides played out a scoreless draw. 

Saturday
With the Premier League relegation places already defined, once threatened Burnley took on Leeds United at Turf Moor early on Saturday afternoon where they suffered  a comprehensive four nil defeat.  Jimmy Dunne was an unused substitute with Robbie Brady and Kevin Long still on the injury list.  Michael Obafemi and Will Ferry were unused substitutes for Southampton who defeated relegated visitors Fulham by three goals to one at St Mary’s Stadium. Aaron Connolly was unused on the Brighton & Hove Albion substitute bench for the one all draw with visitors of West Ham United who  included Darren Randolph and Ademipo Odubeko on their substitute bench.

The Scottish Championship semi-final second leg play-off between Dundee and Raith Rovers took place in Dens Park this Saturday evening with the hosts progressing to the final despite a one nil defeat as they held a three nil advantage from the first leg played last Wednesday. Jonathan Afolabi was an unused substitute for the hosts. 

Josh Cullen was in the RSC Anderlecht side which went down to a two one defeat by visitors KRC Genk in the Belgian First Division this Saturday evening.

 

Friday
The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Friday evening with Finn Harps playing out a one all draw with visitors Dundalk who have been in the news for all the wrong reasons following their player’s unauthorised midweek sortee in Belfast.  Drogheda United caused something of a surprise with a deserved three one victory over  St Patrick’s Athletic in Head in the Game Park.

There were four Airtricity League First Division fixtures completed  on Friday evening.  Bray Wanderers defeated Cabinteely by three goals to nil in the Carlisle Grounds while Galway United scored the only goal to defeat visitors Wexford in Eamonn Deacy Park,  Treaty United  also scored  the only goal for victory over visitors  Athlone Town at the Markets Field while the meeting of UCD and Cork City finished scoreless in The Bowl.

Saturday
The Airtricity League Premier Division continued at 6pm on Saturday evening with current leaders Shamrock Rovers held to a surprising one all draw by visitors Derry City in Tallaght Stadium while Longford Town suffered a two nil defeat by visitors Bohemian at Bishopsgate. 

The remaining Airtricity League First Division fixture between Cobh Ramblers and Shelbourne took place in St Colman’s Park this Saturday evening and saw the visiting ‘Reds’ come from behind to secure a two one victory and climb to the top of the league table.