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Our Republic of Ireland U15 team kicked off 2020 with a fine two nil victory over the Australian U16 side at the NTC Abbotstown early this Saturday afternoon. Ireland created three scoring opportunities in the first half but were unable to convert any of them, while the visitors had a fine opportunity just before the half-time break but they too were unable to score. Ireland made the breakthrough early in the second half with an excellent curling shot from Kevin Zeffi, his sixth international goal this season. Shortly afterwards, Alex Nolan added the second goal and thereafter Ireland dominated the match without adding to the goal tally.

Team: Conor Walsh; Finn Cowper-Gray, Luke O’Brien, Sam Curtis, Cathal Heffernan; Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Pearse O’Brien, James McManus; Kevin Zefi, Alex Nolan, Adam Murphy
Substitutes:
Cian Barrett for McManus 41′
Justin Ferizaj for O’Brien-Whitmarsh 41′
Shay O’Leary for Walsh 50′
Daniel Kelly for Curtis 61′
Liam Murray for P O’Brien 61′
Giddeon Tetteh for Murphy 61′
Alex Malone for Cowper-Gray 65′
Trisden Hughes for L O’Brien 65′

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Republic of Ireland U15 Head Coach Jason Donohue has selected a 20 player squad for a quartet of matches to take place over the next seventeen days. We will take on the touring Australia U16 side at the NTC Abbotstown on Saturday the 18th January 2020 before flying to Murcia, Spain for a three match tournament involving the Czech Republic, Holland and hosts Spain.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Shay O’Leary(Shamrock Rovers), Conor Walsh(Mayo SL)
Defenders: Finn Cowper-Gray(Klub Kildare), Sam Curtis(Shamrock Rovers), Cathal Heffernan(Cork City), Trisden Hughes(Klub Kildare), Daniel Kelly(Mayo SL), Alex Malone(Shamrock Rovers), Luke O’Brien(Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Cian Barrett(Shamrock Rovers), Justin Ferizaj(Shamrock Rovers), James McManus(St Kevin’s Boys), Adam Murphy(St Patrick’s Athletic), Liam Murray(College Corinthians), Alex Nolan(St Patrick’s Athletic), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh(Cork City), Pearse O’Brien(Oakwood FC Connecticut), Rocco Vata(Glasgow Celtic)
Forwards: Caden McLoughlin(Malaga), Gideon Tetteh(Shamrock Rovers), Kevin Zefi(Shamrock Rovers)

Fixtures:
January 18 – Australia – NTC Abbotstown – 1pm
January 30 – Spain – Pinatar Arena, Murcia – 12pm
February 1 – Holland – Pinatar Arena, Murcia – 3pm
February 3 – Czech Republic – Pinatar Arena, Murcia – 12pm

Sunday
There was further Premier League activity on Sunday afternoon with Burnley coming from behind to defeat Leicester City by two goals to one at Turf Moor. Jeff Hendrick started for the ‘Clarets’ with both Robbie Brady and Kevin Long unused on the substitute bench.

In the Championship, there was continued gloom for Luton Town and James Collins as they suffered a three one defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Saturday
The Premier League continued on Saturday afternoon with the Sheffield United duo of John Egan and Enda Stevens starting while  Callum Robinson was introduced from the bench on 67 minutes as the visiting ‘Blades’ earned a one all draw with their hosts Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Aaron Connolly started for Brighton & Hove Albion while Shane Duffy was an unused substitute in their one all draw with visitors Aston Villa for whom Conor Hourihane was an 86th minute substitute at the AMEX Stadium. Crystal Palace and James McCarthy journied North and earned a two all draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with McCarthy completing another full 90 minutes. Shane Long scored his first goal of the season to put Southampton two up against visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers and Matt Doherty at St Mary’s Stadium but the visitors fought back in the second half and secured a three two victory. Darren Randolph started for West Ham United who played out a one all draw with Everton and Seamus Coleman at the London Stadium. The late kick-off saw Ciaran Clark return to the Newcastle United starting eleven as they scored the only goal in added time to defeat visitors Chelsea at St James Park.

First into Championship action on Saturday afternoon were QPR and Leeds United who clashed at Loftus Road where Conor Masterson started for the hosts with Ryan Manning an unused substitute in their one nil victory. Callum O’Dowda was a very late substitute for Bristol City who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Barnsley at Ashton Gate. Derby County, with Jason Knight again in their starting eleven, defeated visitors Hull City with the only goal at Pride Park. Millwall included Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven as they defeated visitors Reading by two goals to nil. Alex Pearce and Aiden O’Brien were unused substitutes while Shaun Williams missed out through suspension. Alan Browne and Sean Maguire started for Preston North End in their two one Deepdale defeat of visitors Charlton Athletic while Daragh Lenihan started and scored for Blackburn Rovers who thrashed Sheffield Wednesday by five goals to nil at Hillsborough. Derrick Williams was an unused substitute for the victorious visitors.

League One provided a significant level of Irish involvement with Daryl Murphy in action for Bolton Wanderers who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Portsmouth and Ronan Curtis. Gillingham included loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven for their one all draw with visitors Oxford United for whom Feyenoord loanee Liam Kelly was an unused substitute. Lincoln City defeated Blackpool by one goal to nil at Sincil Bank where West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry and Zack Elbouzedi were unused substitutes while fellow Ireland U21 midfielder Connor Ronan who joined the ‘Tangerines’ on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday was not in their matchday squad. Rotherham United climbed to the top of the table with a three nil victory over visitors Bristol Rovers with Chiedoze Ogbene scoring the third goal. Trevor Clarke was again an unused substitute for the hosts while recent signing Josh Barrett started for the visiting ‘Pirates’. Alan Judge started for Ipswich Town who came from behind to secure a two one victory at Tranmere Rovers.

 

Our U16 side, with Head Coach Paul Osam at the helm, secured third place in the Aegean Cup with an excellent three nil victory over Albania in the 3rd/4th place play-off in Turkey on Tuesday morning. Edwin Agbaje put Ireland in front on 16 minutes and second half strikes from Glory Nzingo and Thomas Lonergan set the seal on an overall fine Tournament performance.

Team:
Reece Byrne; Harry Nevin, John Ryan, Sean Grehan(c), James Abankwah; Glory Nzingo, Zayd Abada, Cian Kelly; Dara McGuinness, Edwin Agbaje, Thomas Lonergan
Substitutes:
John Joe Power for McGuinness 61′
Jack O’Reilly for Kelly 61′
Ben Curtis for Nzingo 72′
Conner Barrett for Abankwah 72′
Aaron O’Reilly for Grehan 77′
Gerard Killane for Ryan 77′

Our U16 side completed the Group Stage at the Aegean Cup with a fine four nil victory over Kosova on Sunday morning. Ireland were swiftly on the front foot and took the lead on 5 minutes through Thomas Lonergan. We scored the second on 21 minutes through Dara McGuinness and added the third just before the half-time break through Jamie Mullins. Another goal from McGuinness early in the second half completed  the scoring. Ireland finished as runners-up in Group A to hosts Turkey and will face Albania in the Third/Fourth Place play-off on Tuesday morning.

Later in the day, hosts Turkey played out a two all draw with Tanzania to top the Group while in Group B, South Korea defeated Albania by two goals to nil and Ukraine overcame Macedonia by one goal to nil.

Team:
Jack Ross; Harry Nevin, John Ryan, Ben Curtis, Sean Grehan(c); Cian Kelly, Glory Nzingo, Jamie Mullins; Tom Lonergan, Dara McGuinness, Edwin Agbaje
Substitutes:
Conor Barrett for Nevin 41′
Jack O’Reilly for Kelly 52′
John Joe Power for Mullins 52′
Gerard Killane for Ryan 67′
Zayd Abada for Agbaje 67′
Aaron O’Reilly for Curtis 75′ 

Our U16 side went down to a one nil defeat by Tournament hosts Turkey in their second contest at the Aegean Cup this Friday morning. This was another very challenging contest which the hosts just about deserved to win.

Earlier in the morning, Tanzania defeated Kosova by four goals to two while in Group B, South Korea defeated Macedonia by three goals to one and Albania defeated Ukraine by one goal to nil.

Team:
Reece Byrne; Harry Nevin, John Ryan, Darragh Reilly(c), Aaron O’Reilly, James Abankwah; Jamie Mullins, Zayd Abada, Cian Kelly; Dara McGuinness, Edwin Agbaje
Substitutes:
Sean Grehan for Abankwah 12′
Tom Lonergan for Mullins 58′
John Joe Power for Abada 78′
Glory Nzingo for Agbajke 80’+1′
Ben Curtis for Reilly 80’+1′ 

Our U16 side got off to a winning start in the eight nation Aegean Cup Tournament with a one nil victory over Tanzania in their opening contest played in Turkey this Wednesday morning. The only goal was scored by debutant Harry Nevin with just four minutes remaining of what was a very tough encounter.

Team:
Jack Ross; Harry Nevin, Ben Curtis, Sean Grehan(c), Conor Barrett, Gerard Killane; Glory Nzingo, John Joe Power, Zayd Abada; Tom Lonergan, Jack O’Reilly
Substitutes:
John Ryan for Killane 47′
Cian Kelly for O’Reilly 47′
Edwin Agbaje for Power 55′
Dara McGuinness for Lonergan 55′
Jamie Mullins for Nzingo 62′
Darragh Reilly for Grehan 62′

Later this morning, hosts Turkey scored the only goal to defeat Kosova in the other Group A fixture.

In Group B, South Korea defeated Ukraine by three goals to nil while Albania secured a one nil success against Macedonia.

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Republic of Ireland U16 Head Coach Paul Osam has selected a twenty player squad to contest the Aegean Cup Tournament which commences in Turkey on Wednesday morning. Ireland contest Group A with Kosova, Tanzania and hosts Turkey while Group B contains Albania, Macedonia, South Korea and Ukraine.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Reece Byrne(Bohemian), Jack Ross(Bray Wanderers)
Defenders: James Abankwah(St Patrick’s Athletic), Conor Barrett(Birmingham City), Sean Grehan(Bohemian), Gerard Killane(St Patrick’s Athletic), Harry Nevin(Cork City), Aaron O’Reilly(St Patrick’s Athletic), Darragh Reilly(Sligo Rovers), John Ryan(Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Zayd Abada(Shamrock Rovers), Ben Curtis(Shamrock Rovers), Jamie Mullins(Bohemian), Glory Nzingo(St Patrick’s Athletic), John Joe Power(Burton Albion)
Forwards: Edwin Agbaje(Shamrock Rovers), Cian Kelly-Caprani(Bohemian), Tom Lonergan(St Patrick’s Athletic), Dara McGuinness(Shamrock Rovers), Jack O’Reilly(St Patrick’s Athletic)

Fixtures:
Wednesday 15 January – Ireland 1-0 Tanzania – 9.00am
Turkey 1-0 Kosova – 11.30am
Friday 17 January –    Ireland 0-1 Turkey – 11.30am
Kosova 2-4 Tanzania – 9.00am
Sunday 19 January –    Ireland 4-0 Kosova – 9.00am
Tanzania 2-2 Turkey – 11.30am
Tuesday 21 January – Third Place Play-Off
Ireland v Albania – 9.00am 

The Championship contest between Fulham and Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage on Friday evening ended in a deserved one nil victory for the hosts with the goal coming after just six minutes. Harry Arter was a 79th minute substitute for the hosts while Cyrus Christie was unused on the bench as they moved up to third on the League Table.

Matt Doherty was in the Wolverhampton Wanderers starting eleven for this Wednesday evening’s FA Cup third round replay with Manchester United at Old Trafford, which saw the hosts progress with a one nil victory.

A number of the FA Cup third round replays had Irish involvement on Tuesday evening.

Goalkeeper Joe Murphy replaced loanee Max O’Leary for League One side Shrewsbury Town who defeated his parent club Bristol City with the only goal at the New Meadow. Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute for the defeated Championship side. Ciaran Clark was unused on the substitute bench alongside almost forgotten goalkeeper Rob Elliot for Newcastle United who defeated League One side Rochdale by four goals to one. The defeated visitors are managed by  Brian Barry-Murphy and included Jimmy Keohane, Jimmy Ryan and Eoghan O’Connell in their starting eleven.

Liam Kelly, on loan from Feyenoord, was an unused substitute for  Oxford United in their League One scoreless draw with visitors Ipswich Town who included Alan Judge in their starting eleven. Goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, on loan from Manchester United, was in action for Burton Albion who defeated visitors MK Dons by one goal to nil. John Joe O’Toole and Stephen Quinn were also part of the hosts starting eleven while Leeds United loanee Conor Shaughnessy was introduced from the substitute bench at half-time. Lincoln City crushed visitors Bolton Wanderers by five goals to one at Sincil Bank where West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry joined Cian Bolger in the starting eleven with recent signing Zach Elbouzedi replacing Coventry on 77 minutes.  Veteran striker Daryl Murphy completed the full 90 minutes for the visitors.

Sunday
Following their respective League Cup semi-final involvements in midweek, Aston Villa and Manchester City faced each other in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with Conor Hourihane starting for the hosts who suffered a crushing six one defeat. Twenty year old goalkeeper Mark Travers started for AFC Bournemouth who went down to a three nil home defeat by Watford which sees them drop into the relegation zone.

Saturday

The Premier League programme on Saturday afternoon kicked off at 12.30pm with Crystal Palace and James McCarthy playing out a one all draw with Arsenal at Selhurst Park. Later in the afternoon, Chelsea secured a comfortable three nil victory over visitors Burnley who included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Kevin Long an unused substitute. Everton scored the only goal to defeat visitors Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Shane Duffy started while Seamus Coleman was a 74th minute substitute for the ‘Toffees’. High flying Leicester City went down to a two one home defeat by revitalised  visitors Southampton who included Shane Long in their starting eleven while Michael Obafemi was an unused substitute. Also in action were Wolverhampton Wanderers and Matt Doherty who were held to a one all draw by visitors Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark returned to the starting eleven following his injury lay-off. Young Adam Idah started for struggling Norwich City who went down to a four nil defeat at Manchester United.

There was a 12.30pm kick-off for the Championship meeting of West London rivals Brentford and QPR who included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Conor Masterson a half-time substitute while Olamide Shodipo was introduced on 81 minutes of their three one defeat. The Lancashire Derby meeting of Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End at Ewood Park featured Daragh Lenihan in opposition to Alan Browne and Sean Maguire as the sides played out a one all draw. Derrick Williams was an unused substitute for the hosts. Cyrus Christie started for Fulham while Harry Arter was a very late substitute as the visiting ‘Cottagers’ secured a one nil success at Hull City. James Collins scored from the penalty spot for Luton Town but to no avail as visitors Birmingham City secured a two one victory at Kenilworth Road. The Riverside Stadium meeting of Middlesbrough and Derby County ended in a two all draw with Jason Knight scoring the first goal for the visitors. Stoke City included James McClean in their starting eleven while Nathan Collins was an unused substitute in their scoreless draw with visitors Millwall for whom Jayson Molumby, Shaun Williams and Alex Pearce all started. Williams received a red card for a bad tackle with five minutes remaining. Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute for Bristol City who secured a two nil victory at Wigan Athletic.

Burton Albion and loanee Kieran O’Hara defeated visitors Fleetwood Town by one goal to nil in League One while Ipswich Town crushed visitors Accrington Stanley by four goals to one at Portman Road with Alan Judge scoring the third goal. Loan signing Liam Kelly was an unused substitute for Oxford United who went down to a three one home defeat by  Rotherham United for whom Chiedoze Ogbene started with Trevor Clarke an added time substitute. New signing Jack Taylor made his Peterborough United debut in their scoreless draw with  visitors Gillingham who included Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven. Ronan Curtis has been in fine form for Portsmouth and was again in action in their two one victory over visitors AFC Wimbledon. Goalkeeper Max O’Leary, on loan from Bristol City, was in fine form for Shrewsbury Town who played out a one all draw with visitors Lincoln City who included recent loan signing  Conor Coventry in their starting eleven with new full signing Zack Elbouzedi introduced from the bench on 44 minutes.

Friday

The Sheffield United trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick started this evening’s Premier League contest with Bramall Lane visitors West Ham United which ended in a one nil victory for the hosts. Callum Robinson was unused on the ‘Blades’ substitute bench. 

The UK transfer window opened on Wednesday the 1st January 2020 and concluded at 11.00pm on Friday the 31st January 2020. The Irish players detailed in the linked schedule were involved in some form of transfer during the window. Darren Randolph eventually signed for former club West Ham United from Middlesbrough for a fee believed to be £4 million. The acrimonious departure of Glenn Whelan from Heart of Midlothian garnered some headline space with the Dubliner now having joined League One Fleetwood Town until the end of the season. Their were also end of season loan deals for Callum Robinson from Sheffield United to West Bromwich Albion and Scott Hogan from Aston Villa to Birmingham City. The movements of U21 squad members Conor Coventry, Zack Elbouzedi, Lee O’Connor, Connor Ronan and Jack Taylor also aroused considerable interest.

January 2020 Transfers

The current UK transfer window opened on Wednesday the 1st January 2020 and is set to conclude at 11.00pm on Friday the 31st January 2020. The Irish players detailed below have been involved in some form of transfer during the early period of the window.

NAME	FROM	TO	DETAILS
Jonathan Afolabi	Glasgow Celtic	Dunfermline Athletic	EoS Loan
Josh Barrett	Reading	Bristol Rovers	Undisclosed
Canice Carroll	Brentford	Stevenage	Undisclosed
Harry Charsley	Everton	Mansfield Town	EoS Contract
Billy Clarke	Plymouth Argyle	Grimsby Town	ST Contract
Conor Coventry	West Ham United	Lincoln City	EoS Loan
Simon Cox	Southend United	Sydney Wanderers	Free
Ryan Delaney	Rochdale	Bolton Wanderers	Undisclosed
Eoin Doyle	Bradford City	Swindon Town	Undisclosed
Aaron Drinan	Ipswich Town	Ayr United	EoS Loan
Zachary Elbouzedi	Waterford	Lincoln City	Undisclosed
Bradley Garmston	Gillingham	Grimsby Town	Free
Scott Hogan	Aston Villa	Birmingham City	EoS Loan
Aidan Keena	Hearts	Hartlepool United	Free
Liam Kelly	Feyenoord	Oxford United	Loan
Mark Kennedy	Wolves U23 Coach	Macclesfield Town	Head Coach
Ian Lawlor	Doncaster Rovers	Scunthorpe United	EoS Loan
Conrad Logan	Mansfield Town	Forest Green Rovers	EoS Loan
Stephen Mallon	Sheffield United	Derry City	6 mth Loan
Conor McCarthy	Cork City	St Mirren	Undisclosed
Aiden McGeady	Sunderland	Charlton Athletic	EoS Loan
Jamie McGrath	Dundalk	St Mirren	Free
Jake Mulraney	Heart of Midlothian	Atlanta United (USA)	c£100,000
Kevin O’Connor	Preston North End	Waterford	Loan
Lee O’Connor	Glasgow Celtic	Partick Thistle	EoS Loan
Eunan O’Kane	Leeds United	Luton Town	18m Arrangemnt
Adam O’Reilly	Preston North End	Stalybridge Celtic	EoS Loan
Darren Randolph	Middlesbrough	West Ham United	£4 million
Callum Robinson	Sheffield United	West Bromwich Albion	EoS Loan
Connor Ronan	Wolverhampton W	Blackpool	EoS Loan
Conor Shaughnessy	Leeds United	Burton Albion	EoS Loan
Jack Taylor	Barnet	Peterborough Utd	£500,000+
Conor Tee	Leicester City	Pirin Blagoevgrad	Loan
Glenn Whelan	Hearts	Fleetwood Town	EoS Contract