News

The hamstring injury suffered by Michael Obafemi saw Shane Long   return as a sixty fourth minute Southampton substitute in this Wednesday evening’s two nil Premier League victory over Fulham, for whom Cyrus Christie  was unused on the bench, at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Heart of Midlothian trio of Colin Doyle, Conor Shaughnessy and Aiden Keena were unused on the substitute bench for the visit of Celtic and new manager Neil Lennon to Tynecastle this Wednesday evening in the Scottish Premier League. Jonny Hayes was also an unused substitute for the visitors who ran out two one winners.  

Ronan Curtis was in action for Portsmouth, who defeated Bury by three goals to nil, in this Tuesday evening’s semi-final of the EFL Checkatrade Trophy played at Gigg Lane. Curtis, playing on the wide right, had an eventful evening culminating with the third goal. The second semi-final between Bristol Rovers and Sunderland is set for the Memorial Ground on Tuesday the 5th March with the final to be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday the 31st March 2019. 

Harry Arter was an unused substitute for Cardiff City who went down to a three nil Premier League home defeat by  Everton, for whom Seamus Coleman was in the starting eleven this Tuesday evening. Matt Doherty and Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a surprise one nil defeat at basement side Huddersfield Town. Shane Duffy and Brighton & Hove Albion also suffered defeat on the road as they succumbed by two goals to one at Leicester City for whom new manager Brendan Rodgers was watching from the stands. Injury ruled Ciaran Clark out of contention for Newcastle United who defeated visitors Burnley by two goals to nil at St James Park. The ‘Clarets’ included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Robbie Brady introduced as a half-time substitute. Stephen Ward was an unused substitute. 

Callum O’Dowda and Bristol City suffered a significant setback to  their Championship promotion play-off challenge when Birmingham City defeated them by two goals to one at Ashton Gate this Tuesday evening. There was further disappointment for O’Dowda who was withdrawn at half-time. Struggling Millwall went down to a two one defeat at Hull City where Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams and loanee Alex Pearce were all named on the substitute bench with O’Brien introduced for the final twenty minutes. Keiren Westwood was in action for Sheffield Wednesday who defeated Brentford by two goals to nil at Hillsborough. Ryan Manning failed to capitalise on his starting opportunity on Saturday last and found himself back on the substitute bench for QPR who defeated promotion chasers Leeds United and reported Ireland target Patrick Bamford with the only goal at Loftus Road.

Match series three in the Airtricity League Premier Division took place this Monday evening with all five contests kicking-off at 7.45pm. Ireland Assistant Manager Robbie Keane was in Dalymount Park for the clash of Bohemian and Shamrock Rovers, which saw the hosts score the only goal against their bitter rivals who had Aaron Greene dismissed after 29 minutes. Waterford made the long journey North and went down to a three two defeat by their hosts Derry City in the Brandywell while Cork City were also on the road as they journied to the Showgrounds where they defeated Sligo Rovers by two goals to one. Defending champions Dundalk who had drawn their opening two encounters returned to winning ways when they recovered from falling behind to secure a two one success at the expense of visitors UCD. St Patrick’s Athletic who had won their two opening matches were held to a scoreless draw by visitors Finn Harps in Richmond Park.

Bohemian are the only club with a one hundred percent record and lead the fledgling table by two points from St Patrick’s Athletic.

                            P  W  D  L  F  A  GD   Pts
Bohemian                    3  3  0  0  4  0  4     9
St Patrick’s Athletic       3  2  1  0  2  0  2     7
Derry City                  3  2  0  1  6  4  2     6
Shamrock Rovers             3  2  0  1  4  2  2     6
Dundalk                     3  1  2  0  4  3  1     5
Waterford                   3  1  0  2  5  5  –     3
Cork City                   3  1  0  2  2  4  -2    3
Finn Harps                  3  0  2  1  2  3  -1    2
Sligo Rovers                3  0  1  2  2  4  -2    1
UCD                         3  0  0  3  1  7  -6    0

 

Midland rivals Nottingham Forest and Derby County met at the City Ground in the Championship this Monday evening with the hosts scoring the only goal in the second minute for a deserved victory. International retiree Daryl Murphy led the line for the victorious hosts while the visiting ‘Rams’ had captain Richard Keogh in direct opposition to the Waterford man. Murphy performed well, creating the winning goal, while his general play and industry were exemplary. 

Shane Long was not in the Southampton matchday squad for their two nil Premier League defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Michael Obafemi, who returned to training last week following his lengthy injury absence, was introduced from the substitute bench at half-time but suffered another injury and was replaced just twenty minutes after his arrival.
Fellow striker James Collins led the attack for League One leaders Luton Town who were held to a one all draw by visitors Coventry City at Kenilworth Road.