Irish set for more midweek action…27/08/2021

 

Friday
U21 midfielder Ryan Johannson was an unused  substitute in this evening’s Dutch Eredivisie contest between his loan club Fortuna Sittard and visitors RKC Waalwijk which ended in a two all draw.

Thursday
James McCarthy was not included in the Glasgow Celtic squad which travelled to Holland where they went down to a two one defeat by AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of the Europa League qualifying round but progressed on a three two aggregate having gained a two nil first leg advantage.

The second leg in the Europa Conference League play-off round featured Shamrock Rovers at home to Flora Tallinn of Estonia in Tallaght Stadium where they went down to a one nil defeat to exit the competition on a five two aggregate scoreline. Jonny Hayes started for Aberdeen who went down to a three one defeat by FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan at Pittodrie to exit the competition on a four one aggregate scoreline.  Tottenham Hotspur included Matt Doherty in their side for the three nil victory over  Pacos de Ferreira at their London Stadium which earned them a three one aggregate success and entry to the group stage of the competition.

Wednesday
There was further EFL Cup – Round Two action this Wednesday evening with Newcastle United exiting the competition with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat after a scoreless draw with Burnley at St James Park.  Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick started for the hosts while young Nathan Collins was given an outing by the visiting ‘Clarets’. League Two side Newport County crashed  to an eight nil home defeat by Southampton for whom Shane Long and Michael Obafemi were introduced from the substitute bench on 65 minutes. West Bromwich Albion suffered a crushing six nil defeat by Arsenal at the Hawthorns where Dara O’Shea was given a rest from the busy start to the ‘Baggies’ season. The news  that Callum Robinson has again contacted Covid19 and must now isolate for 10 days comes  as a bitter blow to Stephen Kenny and Ireland. He will definitely miss the Portugal and Azerbaijan matches but could be available for the Serbia contest.

Tuesday
Conor Hourihane completed the full ninety minutes for visitors Aston Villa in their six nil trouncing of League Two side Barrow in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening. Aiden O’Brien scored all three goals for Sunderland who defeated their hosts Blackpool by three goals to two while Dennis Cirkin completed the full ninety minutes at left back. Greg Cunningham started  and Sean Maguire was a 59th minutes substitute for Preston North End who defeated  their hosts Morecambe by four goals to two.   U21 midfielder Louie Watson was in action with Derby County who went down to a two one defeat at Sheffield United. New signing James McClean was in the  Wigan Athletic side who eliminated Bolton Wanderers in a penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw.  Andrew Omobamidele started for Norwich City who crushed visitors AFC Bournemouth by six goals to nil at Carrow Road where Adam Idah was a 77tlf-time in their four one success over visitors Plymouth Argyle.  James Collins started  for Cardiff City who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Brighton & Hove Albion who included  three Irish teenagers on their substitute bench with Andrew Moran (68) and  Evan Ferguson (81) both seeing action while James Furlong was unused.  Ryan Manning started for  Swansea City but was withdrawn at half time of their four one success over visitors Plymouth Argyle. Jimmy Dunne was in the QPR side which defeated visitors Oxford United and Mark Sykes by two goals to nil at Loftus Road. Daryl Horgan was a 66th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who overcame their hosts in a penalty shoot-out following a two all draw.

Anthony Scully scored all three goals as Lincoln City defeated Manchester United U21 by three goals to two in the EFL Trophy.

Monday
West Ham United followed  their opening day Premier League victory at Newcastle United with a four one home success against Leicester City on Monday evening.  Conor Coventry was an unused substitute for the ‘Hammers’ but Darren Randolph appears to have really slipped down the pecking order and was not involved.