Category: Latest News

Monday
The weekend action in the Premier League continued at Turf Moor on Monday afternoon with Burnley securing their first league win of the season with the only goal against visitors Crystal Palace. Robbie Brady and Kevin Long were named on the substitute bench with Brady being introduced on 67 minutes but his evening was cut short with his withdrawal through injury just 17 minutes later. High flying Southampton secured  a one all draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers where Shane Long was a 79th minute substitute for the ‘Saints’ while  Michael Obafemi was an unused substitute. 

Sunday
Sheffield United included John Egan in their starting eleven as they went down to a one nil defeat by visitors West Ham United in the Premier League at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon. As expected, Darren Randolph filled his usual substitute role for the visitors. 

Saturday
Following the international break, the players returned to club duty this weekend with Newcastle United first into Premier League action as they went down to a two nil defeat by Chelsea at St James Park  where Jeff Hendrick was an unused substitute while Ciaran Clark made his first start of the season following injury. Conor Hourihane was a 75th minute substitute for Aston Villa who went down to a two one defeat by visitors Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Aaron Connolly was an unused substitute while Jayson Molumby was introduced for the final two minutes. In the late kick-off, Dara O’Shea, one of the few  positives to emerge from international week, was an unused substitute while Callum Robinson was introduced on 62 minutes for West Bromwich Albion who went down to a one nil defeat at Manchester United. 

A rather struggling Shane Duffy was a 72nd minute substitute for his loan club Glasgow Celtic who recovered  a two goal deficit to earn a two all Scottish Premiership draw in Edinburgh against Hibernian at Easter Road. U21 full back Danny McNamara, on loan with St Johnstone from Millwall, was in action in their one all draw with visitors Motherwell.

Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton saw his side go down to a two nil Championship defeat at Barnsley where Cyrus Christie started while Harry Arter was an unused substitute. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who scored the only goal at Ashton Gate to defeat visitors Derby county and Jason Knight who was something of a bright light among the midweek international gloom. James Collins was a 59th minute substitute for Luton Town who were held to a one all draw by visitors Blackburn Rovers who included Darragh Lenihan in their starting eleven at Kenilworth Road. Troy Parrott was a 76th minute substitute for loan club Millwall who were held to a one all draw by visitors Cardiff City at the New Den. Sean Maguire was a 71st minute substitute for Preston North End while teenager Adam O’Reilly remained on the bench for the one nil defeat of visitors Sheffield Wednesday. Conor Masterson started for QPR who played out a one all draw with visitors Watford at Loftus Road. Nathan Collins was a 66th minute substitute for Stoke City who defeated visitors Huddersfield Town by four goals to three but James McClean missed out following his brush with Covid-19 during the international break. Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for new club Swansea City who defeated visitors Rotherham United by one goal to nil. Daryl Horgan, who surprised many with his performances in last week’s internationals was in the Wycombe Wanderers side which played out a scoreless draw with visitors Brentford.

Watford loanee Ryan Cassidy was an unused substitute for Accrington Stanley who played out a scoreless League One draw with visitors Lincoln City for whom fellow U21 international Anthony Scully was a 70th minute substitute. Another U21 squad member Mark McGuinness,  on loan at Ipswich Town from Arsenal, conceded a very early penalty kick but the ‘Tractor Boys’ recovered  to secure a two one victory  over visitors Shrewsbury Town at Portman Road. U21 midfielder Jack Taylor, who was called up to the senior squad last week, started for Peterborough United who went down to a two one defeat at home to  Blackpool. Ronan Curtis and newly qualified Marcus Harness were both in the Portsmouth side which defeated visitors Crewe Alexandra by four goals to one at Fratton Park with Curtis scoring the opening two goals.

Midweek U21 goalscorer Joshua Kayode, who is on loan at Carlisle United from Rotherham United, was again on the scoresheet as his side defeated hosts Crawley Town by three goals to nil in League Two while another member of the U21 brigade Lee O’Connor, on loan from Glasgow Celtic, was in the Tranmere Rovers side which crushed visitors Grimsby Town by five goals to nil.   

With Athlone Town already through to the semi-finals of the 2020 FAI Cup the competition continued this Friday afternoon in Ballybofey where League Champions Shamrock Rovers survived an almighty scare before recovering from a two goal half-time deficit to defeat Finn Harps by three goals to two. The hosts scored two fine first half goals and looked to be on the cusp of a huge shock but calamity struck for the hosts during a five minute spell early in the second half with the concession of three penalty kicks. The first, taken by midweek international call-up Aaron McEneff, was saved by goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley but within seconds a second spot kick was conceded and this time McEneff made no mistake. A few minutes later the drama continued with the award of penalty number three for a perceived foul by McGinley which was hotly disputed, but to no avail, and McEneff did the necessary from the spot. Another midweek international call-up Graham Burke then scored the third and winning goal to secure the semi-final berth for the ‘Hoops’.

Quarter-Final number three took place in Dalymount Park later this Friday this evening where Dundalk recovered from their recent erratic form with a comprehensive four one victory over hosts Bohemian. The ‘Lilywhites’ will travel to face Athlone Town in the semi-final on Sunday the 29th November but before that they will host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League at 8pm on Thursday evening in the Aviva Stadium.

The remaining quarter-final between North West rivals Sligo Rovers and Derry City is scheduled for the Showgrounds at 7.30pm on Wednesday next with the winners travelling to face Shamrock Rovers in the semi-final.

This evening’s scoreless draw with Bulgaria in the final League B Group 4 Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium brought an end to a quite dreadful senior international year. The result does however ensure our survival at League B level rather than relegation to League C which is the fate of Bulgaria.

A baptism of fire may not accurately reflect the introduction new manager Stephen Kenny has encountered during the first eight contests of his senior international reign. One goal, in the final minutes of the opening encounter with Bulgaria in Sofia, is a sad indictment of our attacking ability. With nigh on thirty players utilised during the period there has been little, if indeed any, real chance to build solid bases and structures to bring into the upcoming World Cup qualification campaign. The world pandemic which has had a serious impact on all aspects of the football environment would suggest that the whole period might be written off.

While some positives have emerged, the balance sheet also provides a series of negatives. Stephen Kenny faces a herculean task to bring order and positivity to the scene with the likelihood of three World Cup qualifying contests being scheduled for the next international window in March 2021.

This evening’s contest was a dire affair which for the most part lacked any semblance of real ambition. Ireland did create four scoring opportunities but once again failed to find the net. Robbie Brady‘s effort which struck the crossbar did deserve better but both James Collins and Ronan Curtis were amiss with their opportunities.

The few positives were provided by youngsters Dara O’Shea and Jason Knight while the late introduction of Josh Cullen provided greater midfield solidity. O’Shea has emerged with great credit over this series of fixtures while Knight brings an energy and industry which seems to have deserted some senior players.

Tonight’s results see us consigned to Pot Three for next month’s World Cup qualification draw, set for Zurich on Monday the 7th December. We await the draw with some degree of trepidation whilst hoping that the new year will bring better times on both the world front and our international football environment.

Team:
Darren Randolph; Dara O’Shea, Shane Duffy(c), Kevin Long, Ryan Manning; Jason Knight, Conor Hourihane, Robbie Brady; Daryl Horgan, James Collins, Ronan Curtis
Substitutes:
Josh Cullen for Horgan 67′
Jack Byrne for Brady 78′
Cyrus Christie for Manning 85′
Sean Maguire for Collins 85′
Troy Parrott for Curtis 85′

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named his starting eleven for this evening’s concluding League B Group 4 contest in the 2020 Nations League against Bulgaria in the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm. Ireland require a point to avoid relegation to League C. With Callum O’Dowda having joined the list of absentees with a dead leg injury, bringing the absentee total to fourteen, the side has a very unusual a very unexpected look.

Making his international debut in the left back position is Galway man Ryan Manning who has the opportunity to stake a future claim in a position where, save for regular incumbent Enda Stevens, we are short of alternatives, 

Team:
Darren Randolph; Dara O’Shea, Shane Duffy(c), Kevin Long, Ryan Manning; Jason Knight, Conor Hourihane, Robbie Brady; Daryl Horgan, James Collins, Ronan Curtis  

Our U21 side, under the guidance of Head Coach Jim Crawford, completed their 2021 European Championship qualifying campaign with a two one victory over hosts Luxembourg in Beggen this Wednesday afternoon.

Goals from Joshua Kayode(35 minutes) and substitute Jamie Lennon(65 minutes) secured  the victory with the hosts scoring their goal on 84 minutes.

The campaign, which promised so much at the outset, is ending in disappointment following the home defeat by Iceland on Sunday last.

This afternoon’s starting eleven was:-

Ed McGinty(Sligo Rovers); Danny McNamara(St Johnstone-Loan-Loan), Mark McGuinness(Ipswich Town-Loan), Conor Masterson(QPR)[c], Darragh Leahy(Dundalk); Thomas O’Connor(Gillingham-Loan); Danny Mandroiu(Bohemian), Conor Ronan(Grasshopper Zurich-Loan); Anthony Scully(Lincoln City), Joshua Kayode(Carlisle United), Zac Elbouzedi(Lincoln City)

Substitutes:
Jamie Lennon(St Patrick’s Athletic) for O’Connor 46′
Danny Grant(Bohemian) for Scully 71′
Will Ferry(Southampton) for Elbouzedi 79′
Michael Obafemi(Southampton) for Kayode 79′

‘Finding Jack Charlton’ is out on Monday 23rd November – it’s well worth a watch.

Club Chairman Martin Prendergast had a quick chat with Gabriel Clarke about the film, Big Jack, and also Ireland’s recent game at Wembley

Covid-19 has again reared it’s ugly head with confirmation today that Matt Doherty and James McClean have returned positive tests and are out of the squad for the remaining Nations League match against Bulgaria on Wednesday evening. Adam Idah will also be an absentee having returned to his club after sustaining an unspecified injury. The list is further extended with the absence of goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, an asthmatic, who has withdrawn for personal reasons .

Manager Stephen Kenny has called up U21 duo Troy Parrott and Jack Taylor together with Shamrock Rovers duo Graham Burke and Aaron McEneff to his revised squad which now shows thirteen changes to that originally selected. Dundalk goalkeeping coach Steve Williams will cover the absence of Alan Kelly.

Revised Squad:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher(Liverpool), Darren Randolph(West Ham United), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Cyrus Christie(Nottinghasm Forest-Loan), Ciaran Clark(Newcastle United), Shane Duffy(Glasgow Celtic-Loan), Darragh Lenihan(Blackburn Rovers), Kevin Long(Burnley), Ryan Manning(Swansea City), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion)
Midfielders: Robbie Brady(Burnley), Jack Byrne(Shamrock Rovers), Josh Cullen(RSC Anderlecht), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa), Jason Knight(Derby County), Aaron McEneff(Shamrock Rovers), Jack Taylor(Peterborough United)
Attackers: Graham Burke(Shamrock Rovers), James Collins(Luton Town), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Daryl Horgan(Wycombe Wanderers), Sean Maguire(Preston North End), Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City), Troy Parrott(Millwall-Loan)