Friday (22nd)
Both FAI Cup Semi-Finals took place this Friday evening with Bohemian scoring the only goal in the closing minutes to defeat Waterford in Dalymount Park while St Patrick’s Athletic defeated Dundalk by three goals to one in Richmond Park.
Fortuna Sittard loanee Ryan Johansson was an unused substitute when his side played out a one all draw at Willem 11 in the Dutch Eredivisie on Friday evening.
Wednesday (20th)
Fulham inflicted more pain on misfiring Cardiff City with a two nil Championship victory at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening. Visiting manager Mick McCarthy, who is under serious pressure, included Mark McGuinness and Joel Bagan in his starting eleven while James Collins was a 66th minute substitute. Hull City went down to a two one defeat by visitors Peterborough United who included Jack Taylor, who scored the opening goal, and Sam Szmodics in their starting eleven with West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry introduced from the substitute bench on 79 minutes. Preston North End included captain Alan Browne in their starting eleven with Greg Cunningham unused on the bench as they came from behind to secure a two one victory over visitors Coventry City. Ryan Manning was rested by Swansea City who recovered from the concession of a goal inside the first minute to defeat visitors West Bromwich Albion by two goals to one at the Liberty Stadium. Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby started for the ‘Baggies’ with Robinson providing the assist for that early goal. but both were withdrawn during the second half.
Tuesday (19th)
Liverpool included Caoimhin Kelleher on their bench for their Champions League Group B visit to Atletico Madrid where they emerged victorious by three goals to two in a dramatic encounter.
Glasgow Celtic defeated Ferencvaros of Hungary by two goals to nil at Parkhead in the Europa League Group G on Tuesday afternoon with Liam Scales introduced from the substitute bench on 75 minutes while James McCarthy remains on the injury list.
Bristol City introduced Callum O’Dowda from the substitute bench on 83 minutes as they conceded twice in added time to suffer a two one defeat by visitors Nottingham Forest at Ashton Gate in the Championship on Tuesday evening. Derby County named Jason Knight in their starting eleven for the Pride Park visit of Luton Town which ended in a two all draw. Knight provided the assist for the opening goal and scored the second for the ‘Rams’. Festy Ebosele replaced Knight for the final few minutes of the match while Louie Watson was unused on the substitute bench. Bramall Lane hosted the meeting of Sheffield United and Millwall with John Egan, Enda Stevens and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane included in the hosts starting eleven as was retired international David McGoldrick. Hourihane was withdrawn on 38 minutes and McGoldrick on 67 minutes as the ‘Blades’, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half, suffered a two one defeat. Stoke City went down to a one nil defeat by table topping visitors AFC Bournemouth who included Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny in their starting eleven. The ‘Cherries’ have also announced the signing of Robbie Brady until the end of the season with an option to extend his stay.
Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven as they suffered a surprise one nil home defeat by visitors AFC Wimbledon in League One. Portsmouth included Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven as they suffered a crushing four nil home defeat by visitors Ipswich Town. Chiedoze Ogbene was a 27th minute substitute while Joshua Kayode remained on the Rotherham United substitute bench for the scoreless draw with visitors Wycombe Wanderers who included Daryl Horgan in their starting eleven. Wigan Athletic included James McClean and Will Keane in their starting eleven as they suffered a two one home defeat by visitors MK Dons for whom Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott was an 86th minute substitute. Warren O’Hora and Peter Kioso, who scored again, started for the victorious ‘Dons’. Mark Sykes , who declared for Ireland last year, scored for Oxford United who defeated visitors Shrewsbury Town by two goals to nil. Midfielder Thomas O’Connor, who scored twice on Saturday for Burton Albion, scored the only goal, direct from a corner kick, for victory at Fleetwood Town.
Monday (18th)
The Airtricity League Premier Division meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Bohemian on Monday evening in Tallaght Stadium ended in a one all draw with the ‘Hoops’ coming from behind to secure a point despite playing all of the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Roberto Lopes three minutes before the half time break.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Shamrock Rovers 31 20 6 5 49 23 26 66
St Patrick’s Athletic 30 16 5 9 47 34 13 53
Sligo Rovers 30 13 7 10 34 27 7 46
Derry City 30 12 9 9 41 36 5 45
Bohemian 30 12 7 11 50 38 12 43
Drogheda United 30 11 7 12 42 36 6 40
Dundalk 31 10 9 12 39 43 -4 39
Finn Harps 30 10 7 13 34 44 -10 37
Waterford 30 11 3 16 29 47 -18 36
Longford Town 30 2 8 20 20 57 -37 14