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There are possible future Irish internationals currently catching the eye with promotion chasing clubs in League One. Current leaders Luton Town striker James Collins was not on the scoresheet today as the ‘Hatters’ emerged from a tough assignment at Fleetwood Town with a two one success. Fourth place Portsmouth had Ronan Curtis on the substitute bench for their visit to Southend United which ended in a three all draw, with former Ireland striker Simon Cox scoring all three for the ‘Shrimpers’. Curtis was introduced to the contest on seventy one minutes. The last campaign’s U21 captain Josh Cullen is on loan from his parent club West Ham United at fifth place Charlton Athletic who were held to a scoreless draw by visitors Blackpool at the Valley.

The 2019 Airtricity League Premier Division commenced this Friday evening with defending champions Dundalk playing out a one all draw with visitors Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park in front of the live RTE 2 cameras. Bohemian scored  the only goal to defeat newly promoted Finn Harps in Dalymount Park while promoted First Division champions UCD went down to a three nil defeat by Derry City in the Brandywell. Two clubs expected to present a title challenge, St Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City faced each other in Richmond Park with the hosts scoring the only goal for victory. Last season’s fourth and third placed sides, Waterford  and Shamrock Rovers locked horns in the Regional Sports Centre with the visitors recovering from the concession of a first half goal to secure a two one victory. 

Ryan Manning was again an unused substitute as his QPR went down to a one nil defeat by Premier League club Watford in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Loftus Road this Friday evening.
Burnley loanee Jimmy Dunne was in central defence for League One promotion challengers Sunderland who played out an exciting two all draw with Stadium of Light visitors Accrington Stanley and their club captain, Galway man Seamus Conneely. The veteran Aiden McGeady was in excellent form for the ‘Makems’ and scored the equalising goal for the hosts as they recovered from a two goal deficit to secure a valuable point.  

Head Coach Colin O’Brien gave those players who were not involved in the friendly international victory over Poland on Wednesday afternoon an opportunity this Friday afternoon when we went down to a two one defeat by Belgium in another friendly international in Marbella. Belgium scored twice in the opening thirty minutes and fully deserved their victory. Ireland could make little headway against a resilient Belgian defence until the 78th minute when Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele powered home a header following a corner kick.

Team: Harry Halwax; Luke Turner, Andrew Omobamidele, James Furlong, Thomas Considine; Seamas Keogh(C), Joe Hodge, Brandon Holt; Toby Owens, Conor Carty, Roland Idowu
Substitutes: Jimmy Corcoran for Halfax 46′, Sean McEvoy for Considine 46′, Timi Sobowale for Holt 46′, Josh Giurgi for Carty 46′, Matt Everitt for Idowu 46′, Ronan McKinley for Owens 68′.

Our U17 side secured a one nil victory over Poland in a friendly international played in Marbella this afternoon. The winning goal came after just three minutes with Norwich City striker Joshua Giurgi curling a right footed shot into the bottom corner of the net. In his post match review, Head Coach Colin O’Brien expressed general satisfaction, particularly with the performance of his defensive unit, but emphasised that there was still much work to be done as preparations continue for the European Championship Finals which will take place in Ireland during May 2019. Ireland will next face Belgium in the Dama de Nocha Football Centre, Marbella at 2.30pm (Irish time) on Friday afternoon.

Team: Gavin Bazunu; James Furlong, Anselmo Garcia McNulty, Timi Sobowale, Sean McEvoy; Seamas Keogh (C), Joe Hodge, Ronan McKinley; Joshua Giurgi, Sean Kennedy, Conor Carty
Substitutes: Brandon Holt for Kennedy 55′, Andrew Omobamidele for Sobowale 61′, Roland Idowu for McKinley 61′

Declan Rice has today spoken with Mick McCarthy and confirmed  that he has elected to transfer his international football allegiance and make himself available to represent England.

Ireland U17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien continues his preparations for the European Championship Finals, which will be hosted by Ireland in May, with two international friendly contests in Spain this week. We take on Poland in the Marbella Municipal Stadium at 2.30pm (Irish time) this Wednesday afternoon and will then face Belgium at the Dama de Noche Football Centre again at 2.30pm (Irish time) on Friday afternoon.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City), Jimmy Corcoran(Preston North End), Harry Halfax(Derby County)
Defenders: Thomas Considine(Bohemian), James Furlong(Shamrock Rovers), Sean McEvoy(Ballinamallard United), Anselmo Garcia McNulty(Real Betis), Andrew Omibamidele(Norwich City), Luke Turner(Aberdeen)
Midfielders: Conor Carty(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Joe Hodge(Manchester City), Brandon Holt(St Patrick’s Athletic), Roland Idowu(Southampton), Seamus Keogh(Southampton), Ronan McKinley(Derry City), Toby Owens(Shamrock Rovers), Timi Sobowale(Manchester City)
Forwards: Matt Everitt(Brighton & Hove Albion), Joshua Giurgi(Norwich City), Sean Kennedy(Sunderland)