Category: Latest News

Our U15 side suffered a two one defeat by Holland in their second outing of the Pinatar Cup in Murcia on Saturday afternoon. Holland took a fourth minute lead but Caden McLoughlin, who plays with Malaga in Spain, scored an equaliser just six minutes later. The remainder of the first half offered opportunities for both sides in a fairly even contest but none were taken. The winning Dutch goal came 15 minutes into the second half from the penalty spot. Ireland did have an excellent chance to equalise but McLoughlin fired over following a James McManus free kick.

Team: Conor Walsh; Alex Malone, Sam Curtis(C), Daniel Kelly, Trisden Hughes; Cian Barrett, Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Liam Murray; Gideon Tetteh, Rocco Vata, Caden McLoughlin
Substitutes:
Kevin Zefi for Murray 51′
Adam Murphy for Tetteh 51′
Cathal Heffernan for Kelly 58′
James McManus for O’Brien-Whitmarsh 58′
Alex Nolan for Vata 63′

 

FAI set to receive significant funding – 30 January 2020
Minister for Sport Shane Ross has confirmed that the Football Association of Ireland is set to receive significant levels of funding as part of a refinancing arrangemet set to save the organisation. The Minister together with Minister of State Brendan Griffin met today with representatives of the FAI, UEFA and the Bank of Ireland at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Sport Ireland Funding has been restored and will double to €5.8m per year until 2023. UEFA and the Bank of Ireland will also contribute unspecified amounts. Amongst a series of stipulations, a sum of €800,000 will go towards the development of the male and female domestic leagues. The Government will aslo provide an interest free loan of €2.5m for three years to protect the Aviva Stadium with the funds going directly to the Stadium Operations Company and repayable from 2024 onwards.

Gerry McAnaney elected as FAI President – 25 January 2020
Gerry McAnaney was today elected the new President of the Football Association of Ireland defeating his rival Martin Heraghty by 88 votes to 40. McAnaney represents ‘Football for All’ on the FAI National Council and previously, for many years, represented the ‘Defence Forces’. Heraghty joined the Board in September last representing the Airtricity League and has been prominently involved alongside Paul Cooke during the recent meetings with the Government.

Niall Quinn joins FAI Board – 23 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has announced the appointment of Niall Quinn to the role of interim Deputy Chief Executive of the Association.

FAI appoint interim Chief Executive – 20 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has this evening announced the appointment of Gary Owens as the interim Chief Executive of the Association. Owens has had a distinguished career in senior management roles in the Financial Services and Technology sectors and has previously undertaken Interim CEO roles with Down Syndrome Ireland and Athletics Ireland.

FAI Corporate Governance – 9 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has appointed Roy Barrett as the new Independent Chair of the Association. He will be joined on the FAI Board by independent directors Catherine Guy and Liz Joyce with a fourth independent director due to be appointed shortly.

Roy Barrett is a Managing Director at Goodbody Stockbrokers while Catherine Guy, a Qualified Lawyer, is the recently appointed CEO of Sixt Leasing Ireland and a former Managing Partner of Byrne Wallace. Liz Joyce is the Director of Human Resources at the Central Bank of Ireland.

Airtricity League – 9 January 2020
It has been announced that Shamrock Rovers II will participate in the Airtricity League First Division next season, replacing the defunct Limerick FC.

Our U15 side, guided by Head Coach Jason Donohue,commenced their four nation Pinatar Cup development tournament campaign with a two nil defeat by mini-tournament hosts Spain in Murcia early this Thursday afternoon. While Ireland started brightly, two goals in quick succession around the 20th minute mark settled the contest in favour of the hosts. Ireland did create a number of scoring opportunities during the contest but were unable to add the finishing touch. In this afternoon’s other contest, Holland defeated  the Czech Republic by four goals to one.
We will next meet Holland at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

Team: Shay O’Leary; Finn Cowper-Gray, Luke O’Brien, Ben Curtis, Cathal Heffernan; James McManus, Adam Murphy, Justin Ferizaj; Caden McLoughlin, Alex Nolan, Kevin Zefi(C)
Substitutes:
Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh for Nolan 41′
Liam Murray for Zefi 50′
Alex Malone for Cowper-Gray 60′
Cian Barrett for McManus 60′
Gideon Tetteh for Murphy 75′

Friday
The Championship continued on Friday evening with the meeting of Midlands rivals Derby County and Stoke City at Pride Park. The hosts, for whom Jason Knight was an unused substitute, crushed their visitors by four goals to nil, bringing a sobering end to the ‘Potters’ revival under the Michael O’Neill banner. James McClean started for Stoke while Nathan Collins was an unused substitute.

There was also Irish involvement in the Scottish Championship meeting of Partick Thistle and Ayr United with Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in action with the hosts while fellow Irish U21 international Aaron Drinan, on loan with the visitors from Ipswich Town, was also a starter as the sides played out a one all draw with O’Connor conceding the penalty which provided the visitors goal.  

Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with goalkeeper Darren Randolph unused on the substitute bench for West Ham United who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Liverpool at the London Stadium.

Tuesday
The first semi-final of the League Cup was decided in added time with second leg hosts Aston Villa scoring in the third minute of added time to secure a two one victory over Leicester City on the night and a three two aggregate success. Conor Hourihane was unused on the victors substitute bench.

Daragh Lenihan scored the winning goal for Blackburn Rovers in their two one Championship victory over visitors QPR for whom Conor Masterson was again in action. Olamide Shodipo was an 80th minute substitute for the visitors while Derrick Williams for the hosts and Ryan Manning for the London side were unused substitutes. West Bromwich Albion included Dara O’Shea in their starting eleven as they lost top spot on the League table following their two one defeat at Cardiff City while Leeds United recovered  a two goal deficit to defeat visitors Millwall by three goals to two and supersede the ‘Baggies’ at the summit. Jayson Molumby and Alex Pearce started for the ‘Lions’ while Aiden O’Brien was an unused substitute. Luton Town included James Collins and Glenn Rea in their starting eleven as they overcame visitors Derby County and Jason Knight by three goals to two at Kenilworth Road. Callum O’Dowda was  a 77th minute substitute for Bristol City who scored the only goal to defeat Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Recent signing Jack Taylor was in League One action for Peterborough United who secured a two nil victory at Accrington Stanley while Kieran O’Hara, John Joe O’Toole, Stephen Quinn and loanee Conor Shaughnessy all started for Burton Albion who drew two each at AFC Wimbledon. Kieran Sadlier scored twice for Doncaster Rovers as they defeated visitors Southend United by three goals to one while Glenn Whelan completed another 90 minutes for Fleetwood Town who were held to a scoreless draw by visitors Coventry City. Loanee Conor Coventry started but Zack Elbouzedi was an unused substitute for Lincoln City who went down to a two nil home defeat by Portsmouth for whom Ronan Curtis opened the scoring. Chiedoze Ogbene was in the Rotherham United team which defeated visitors Ipswich Town and Alan Judge by one goal to nil. Veteran Daryl Murphy scored the late equaliser for Bolton Wanderers in their one all draw with visitors Bristol Rovers.

 

Monday
The remaining FA Cup fourth round tie between Premier League sides AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal took place at the Vitality Stadium on Monday evening with the visitors prevailing by two goals to one and now set to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park in round Five. Goalkeeper Mark Travers started for the host ‘Cherries’ and could do nothing in relation to the two goals. Gavin Kilkenny was an unused substitute.

Sunday
Cyrus Christie was in FA Cup fourth round action for Championship side Fulham on Sunday afternoon as they crashed to a four nil defeat at Premier League Manchester City. Later in the afternoon, League One side Shrewsbury Town recovered a two goal deficit to draw two each with New Meadow visitors Liverpool. Goalkeeper Max O’Leary, on loan from Bristol City, was in fine form for the ‘Shrews’. 

Saturday
The FA Cup fourth round continued on Saturday afternoon with the all Premier League meeting of Burnley and Norwich City taking place at Turf Moor where Robbie Brady (-80th minute)and Kevin Long started for the hosts with Jeff Hendrick (65th minute substitute)and Jimmy Dunne who was unused on the substitute bench as the visitors prevailed by two goals to one. Our U21 captain Jayson Molumby together with Aiden O’Brien and Alex Pearce started for Millwall who went down to a two nil defeat by Sheffield United at the New Den where Callum Robinson started(-67 minute) with John Egan unused on the substitute bench for the visitors. League One side Portsmouth and Ronan Curtis, who scored the third goal, secured a four two victory over Championship strugglers Barnsley at Fratton Park while just along the South Coast Southampton scored a late equaliser to draw one each with Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium where Michael Obafemi (-74 minutes)was in action for the hosts with Will Smallbone unused on the substitute bench but injury ruled out Shane Long. Recent signing Darren Randolph started for West Ham United who lost to the only goal from Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion who included Dara O’Shea in their starting eleven.

Stoke City maintained their upward Championship trajectory when they defeated visitors Swansea City by two goals to nil. James McClean completed ninety minutes and scored the second goal in added time. Eighteen year old centre back Nathan Collins was introduced from the substitute bench on 87 minutes.

Kieran O’Hara started for Burton Albion who played out a one all draw with visitors Accrington Stanley in League One. Glenn Whelan got his first taste of action, alongside Paddy Madden, with Fleetwood Town who secured a scoreless draw at Bristol Rovers who included U21 midfielder Josh Barrett in their starting eleven. Alan Judge started for Ipswich Town who scored the only goal to defeat Lincoln City who introduced loanee Conor Coventry and Zack Elbouzedi from the substitute bench on 71 minutes. New signing Jack Taylor started for Peterborough United who defeated Rotherham United for whom Chiedoze Ogbene started with Trevor Clarke an unused substitute at London Road.

Friday
The FA Cup fourth round sprung into action on Friday evening with Jason Knight and his Derby County colleagues journeying to face League Two side Northampton Town where they were held to a scoreless draw. Meanwhile Conor Masterson and Ryan Manning started for QPR who went down to a two one defeat by Loftus Road visitors Sheffield Wednesday with Olamide Shodipo an unused substitute for the hosts. 

FAI set to receive significant funding – 30 January 2020
Minister for Sport Shane Ross has confirmed that the Football Association of Ireland is set to receive significant levels of funding as part of a refinancing arrangemet set to save the organisation. The Minister together with Minister of State Brendan Griffin met today with representatives of the FAI, UEFA and the Bank of Ireland at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Sport Ireland Funding has been restored and will double to €5.8m per year until 2023. UEFA and the Bank of Ireland will also contribute unspecified amounts. Amongst a series of stipulations, a sum of €800,000 will go towards the development of the male and female domestic leagues. The Government will aslo provide an interest free loan of €2.5m for three years to protect the Aviva Stadium with the funds going directly to the Stadium Operations Company and repayable from 2024 onwards.

Gerry McAnaney elected as FAI President – 25 January 2020
Gerry McAnaney was today elected the new President of the Football Association of Ireland defeating his rival Martin Heraghty by 88 votes to 40. McAnaney represents ‘Football for All’ on the FAI National Council and previously, for many years, represented the ‘Defence Forces’. Heraghty joined the Board in September last representing the Airtricity League and has been prominently involved alongside Paul Cooke during the recent meetings with the Government.

Niall Quinn joins FAI Board – 23 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has announced the appointment of Niall Quinn to the role of interim Deputy Chief Executive of the Association.

FAI appoint interim Chief Executive – 20 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has this evening announced the appointment of Gary Owens as the interim Chief Executive of the Association. Owens has had a distinguished career in senior management roles in the Financial Services and Technology sectors and has previously undertaken Interim CEO roles with Down Syndrome Ireland and Athletics Ireland.

FAI Corporate Governance – 9 January 2020
The Football Association of Ireland has appointed Roy Barrett as the new Independent Chair of the Association. He will be joined on the FAI Board by independent directors Catherine Guy and Liz Joyce with a fourth independent director due to be appointed shortly.

Roy Barrett is a Managing Director at Goodbody Stockbrokers while Catherine Guy, a Qualified Lawyer, is the recently appointed CEO of Sixt Leasing Ireland and a former Managing Partner of Byrne Wallace. Liz Joyce is the Director of Human Resources at the Central Bank of Ireland.

Airtricity League – 9 January 2020
It has been announced that Shamrock Rovers II will participate in the Airtricity League First Division next season, replacing the defunct Limerick FC. 

 

Thursday
Matt Doherty and his Wolverhampton Wanderers colleagues were unable to halt the Premier League runaway express called Liverpool when the sides collided at Molineaux this Thursday evening. The visitors took an early lead but thereafter the hosts matched them throughout the first half with Doherty being off target with two efforts on goal which he might have done better with. Wolves dominated much of the second half and equalised on 51 minutes and had a number of goal attempts foiled by goalkeeper Alisson thereafter. The champions elect went sixteen points clear at the summit with the winning goal arriving on 84 minutes. 

Wednesday
There was more Irish involvement in the Premier League on Wednesday evening with Jeff Hendrick giving a solid midfield performance for Burnley who defeated Manchester United by two goals to nil at Old Trafford. Robbie Brady and Kevin Long were unused substitutes for the victorious ‘Clarets’. Darren Randolph was in goal for West Ham United who suffered a four one defeat at Leicester City where his performance helped to keep the scoreline down.

Josh Cullen returned to the Charlton Athletic starting eleven after his lengthy injury absence and completed the full ninety minutes of their scoreless draw with visitors Fulham in the Championship.

Tuesday
There was Irish involvement in the Premier League on Tuesday evening but not for Conor Hourihane who was an unused substitute for Aston Villa who came from behind to defeat visitors Watford by two goals to one at Villa Park. Aaron Connolly was a 60th minute substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion who went down to a three one defeat at AFC Bournemouth while Shane Duffy was an unused substitute. James McCarthy was again in central midfield for Crystal Palace but his side suffered a two nil home defeat by Southampton for whom Shane Long and Michael Obafemi started as the forward pairing. Seamus Coleman was introduced from the substitute bench for Everton on 71 minutes as they saw a two goal lead wiped out in the 4th and 5th minute of added time by Goodison Park visitors Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark started in their back three but was substituted on 70 minutes. John Egan and Enda Stevens started for Sheffield United who went down to a one nil Bramall Lane defeat by Manchester City while Callum Robinson entered the fray on 78 minutes.

Alan Browne started for Preston North End and was joined on 67 minutes by substitute Sean Maguire as the ‘Lilywhites’ secured an emphatic three nil Championship victory at Barnsley.

U21 midfielder Jack Taylor scored his first League One goal for new club Peterborough United as they crushed second place visitors Wycombe Wanderers by four goals to nil at London Road.

Monday
James McClean was in his usual industrious form for Stoke City who  shocked current Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion with the only goal at the Hawthorns on Monday evening. As the ‘Potters’ fought a steely defensive battle in the closing stages, he was joined by eighteen year old centre back Nathan Collins who was imperious during his short tenure.