Category: Latest News

Ciaran Clark and Matt Doherty were both in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when their respective clubs, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers played out a one all draw at St James Park.  Later in the afternoon, Arsenal played host to Crystal Palace who recovered from an early two goal deficit to earn a two all draw.  James McCarthy was introduced from the substitute bench for the final four minutes of the contest.

Callum O’Dowda retained his starting position for Bristol City who scored a very late equaliser to garner a point against visitors Wigan Athletic at Ashton Gate in the Championship early this Sunday afternoon.

The inaugural meeting of the new FAI National Council took place today, Friday the 25th October 2019. The meeting was chaired by FAI President Donal Conway.

Mr Conway confirmed his intention to remain on the Board until next July. He also confirmed that he would relinquish the Chair when the new Independent Chair is appointed. A shortlist for the appointment of four Independent Directors, one of whom will take the Chair, has been drawn up and the interview process is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks.

The meeting was advised that the accounts for 2018 and the revised 2017 accounts are currently being audited on site by Deloitte and are expected to be revealed at a reconvened AGM by early December.

It was noted that the Sport Ireland commissioned KOSI report and the FAI commissioned Mazars report into matters relating to the FAI were expected to be received next month.

It is widely known that the FAI has sought privilege on two documents containing legal advice submitted to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) and the ODCE has sought a High Court hearing in respect of these documents which is scheduled for Thursday the 14th November 2019.

In other matters, the Council elected six members to three new Business Committees, formed in line with the recommendations of the Governance Review Group.

Larry Bass, CEO of global television company ShinAwil and lawyer Andrew Doyle, CEO of Sal Sports Capital have been appointed to the Finance Committee.

Change management and risk assessment qualified Noel Daly together with Sean Brodie, a former Revenue Commissioners Auditor, were elected to the Audit Risk and Compliance Committee.

Business owner Daniel Lambert, the Marketing and Commercial Director with Bohemian FC together with Chartered Accountant Kevin McDaid, the holder of an MBA in Football Industries from the University of Liverpool, have been elected to the Commercial Committee.

It was further confirmed that Acting General Manager Noel Mooney will leave the Association and return to his executive position with UEFA on the 1st December 2019.

 

Premier League
Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for Aston Villa who went down to a three nil Premier League defeat by Manchester City in the Etihad Stadium early on Saturday afternoon. On the South Coast, Brighton & Hove Albion included Aaron Connolly in their starting eleven for the visit of Everton and he was instrumental in their three two victory, being fouled for the free kick and later the penalty kick, both of which were scored. Captain Seamus Coleman was  available following suspension but was unused on the substitute bench. Our Irish quartet of John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson all started for Sheffield United who earned a one all draw with West Ham United at the London Stadium. The late kick-off featured Burnley in action against Turf Moor visitors Chelsea with Jeff Hendrick starting while Robbie Brady and  Kevin Long were named on the ‘Clarets’ substitute bench. Chelsea cruised into a four goal lead with Burnley scoring twice in the final minutes following the 84th minute introduction of Brady for Hendrick with Brady creating both goals.

Championship

Keiren Westwood having recovered from injury started and was in fine form for third place Sheffield Wednesday who played out a scoreless draw with second place Leeds United in the early Championship kick-off at Hillsborough this Saturday afternoon. Midfielder Daniel Crowley, whose eligibility for international selection continues to be a mystery, started for Birmingham City who defeated visitors Luton Town, for whom James Collins was a 60th minute substitute, by two goals to one at St Andrew’s. There was quite a range of Irish voices at the New Den where Millwall defeated Stoke City by two goals to nil. The hosts included loanee Jayson Molumby and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven with Aiden O’Brien and Alex Pearce unused on the substitute bench while the visitors included loanee Scott Hogan in their starting eleven but he was replaced at half-time by James McClean. Ireland U21 defender Nathan Collins and senior international Stephen Ward remained on the substitute bench. The Preston North End trio of Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Joe Rafferty started against local rivals Blackburn Rovers and Derrick Williams at Deepdale. The ‘Lilywhites recovered a two goal deficit to win by there goals to two and move up to second place on the League Table. Leaders West Bromwich Albion were held to a two all draw by visitors Charlton Athletic at the Hawthorns where West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen scored the added time penalty equaliser.

League One
Goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, on loan from Manchester United, was in action for Burton Albion who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Blackpool in League One.

Scottish Premiership
Glenn Whelan, Jake Mulraney and Aiden White were missing, believed injured, from the Heart of Midlothian squad which made the short journey to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership. The contest ended scoreless with goalkeeper Colin Doyle unused and Aiden Keena a 67th minute substitute for the ‘Jam Tarts’.

The final series of fixtures in the Airtricity League Premier Division took place this Friday evening. With the top three clubs already assured of European involvement the only doubt related to the fourth position which also carried the attraction of entry into Europe next season. Derry City secured the position with a relaxed four nil victory over relegation play-off bound Finn Harps, while St Patrick’s Athletic suffered a four nil defeat at champions Dundalk. In other contests, Shamrock Rovers defeated Cork City by three goals to nil in Tallaght Stadium while Bohemian came from behind to defeat Sligo Rovers by two goals to one in Dalymount Park. UCD departed the Division with a four two defeat at Waterford. 

                            P   W  D  L   F   A   G/D   Pts
Dundalk [Champions]        36  27  5  4  73  18   55    86
Shamrock Rovers            36  23  6  7  62  21   41    75
Bohemian                   36  17  9 10  47  28   19    60
Derry City                 36  15 12  9  56  34   22    57
St Patrick’s Athletic      36  14 10 12  29  35   -6    52
Waterford                  36  12  7 17  46  53   -7    43
Sligo Rovers               36  10 12 14  38  47   -9    42  
Cork City                  36   9 10 17  29  49  -20    37
Finn Harps [Play-Off]      36   7  7 22  26  64  -38    28
UCD [Relegated]            36   5  4 27  25  82  -57    19

The Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation play-off series continued at United Park this Friday evening with Drogheda United crushing Cabinteely by five goals to one in the second leg of their play-off semi-final following last week’s one all draw at Stradbrook in the first leg.
Drogheda United will now face Finn Harps on Monday evening in United Park at 7.45pm in the first leg of the play-off final with the second leg set for Finn Park at 8pm on Friday the 1st December 2019. The victors will compete in the Premier Division next season.

 

 

St Mary’s Stadium hosted the Premier League meeting of Southampton and high flying visitors Leicester City on Friday evening which saw the hosts absolutely humiliated as they were annihilated by nine goals to nil. Both Shane Long and Michael Obafemi had participated in the ‘Saints’ final training session but the youngster did not make the matchday squad while Long was named on the substitute bench and must be delighted that he was not called upon.
In his pre-match press conference, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had name checked Will Smallbone as one of the players not available because of injury.

Matt Doherty was in Group K Europa League action for Wolverhampton Wanderers who travelled to face Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava on Thursday evening and came from behind to secure a two one victory.

Jonny Hayes played the final ten minutes as Glasgow Celtic also came from behind to secure two one success against Italian side Lazio in Celtic Park in Group E of the same competition.

There was further Championship action on Wednesday evening with Callum O’Dowda returning to the Bristol City starting eleven as they scored in the eight minute of added time to secure a two one victory over Ashton Gate visitors Charlton Athletic for whom Josh Cullen was in midfield action. James Collins started for Luton Town but was withdrawn on 78 minutes of their three two defeat at Fulham.

In League One, leaders Ipswich Town suffered a surprise two nil home defeat by Rotherham United for whom U21 defender/midfielder Trevor Clarke started and completed 69 minutes before being replaced by Chiedozie Ogbene.