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The Soccer Writers Association of Ireland held it’s annual Awards Banquet at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin this Friday evening where new Ireland U21 manager Stephen Kenny received the Personality of the Year Award for the third time. Kenny of course led Dundalk to the League and Cup double in the 2018 season. The goalkeeper of the year award went to Bohemian FC custodian Shane Supple while recent international retiree Aine O’Gorman received the International Achievement Award having been capped 100 times for Ireland. There was also a Special Merit Award made to Drogheda United chairman Vincent Hoey.

Declan Rice scored the only goal and was named ‘Man of the Match’ as West Ham United defeated visitors Arsenal at the London Stadium  in the Premier League early on Saturday afternoon. Shane Duffy and Brighton & Hove Albion lost to the only goal, a penalty, for  current leaders Liverpool at the Amex Stadium while Burnley had  Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Kevin Long unused on the substitute bench as they defeated Turf Moor visitors Fulham and Cyrus Christie by two goals to one. Harry Arter started for Cardiff City as they played out a scoreless draw with visitors Huddersfield Town but Greg Cunningham remained unused on the bench. Shane Long scored the winning goal for Southampton who secured a two one success at  Leicester City. Ciaran Clark was on the scoresheet for Newcastle United but they went down to a two one defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the late kick-off.

There was a full Championship programme on Saturday afternoon with Darren Randolph and Middlesbrough securing a two one victory at  Birmingham City for whom the occasionally Ireland referenced Lukas Jutkiewicz was in his customary striking role. Alan Judge has spent much of his time on the Brentford bench this season but was missing this afternoon amid speculation that he may be on his way to Ipswich Town while his current side defeated visitors Stoke City and late substitute James McClean by three goals to one at Griffin Park. The in-form Callum O’Dowda was in action for Bristol City who came from behind to defeat visitors Bolton Wanderers by two goals to one at  Ashton Gate while Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood suffered bitter disappointment as his side crashed to a three nil defeat at Hull City. The Sheffield United quartet of John Egan, Jack O’Connell, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick , who were all rested from the shock weekend defeat by non-league Barnet in the FA Cup, returned to the starting eleven for the one nil defeat of visitors QPR with McGoldrick scoring the winning goal. Ryan Manning remained unused on the visiting bench. Anthony Pilkington made his debut for Wigan Athletic, whom he joined on Wednesday from Cardiff City on a free transfer, when they defeated visitors Aston Villa by three goals to nil at the DW Stadium. Conor Hourihane started  and Glenn Whelan was a late substitute for Villa but Scott Hogan was unused on the bench. Alan Browne started and Sean Maguire was a late substitute for Preston North End in their one all draw with Deepdale visitors Swansea City. The late kick-off at the New Den between Millwall and Blackburn Rovers ended in a two nil victory for the visitors for whom Darragh Lenihan was named ‘Man of the Match’. Aiden O’Brien started and Shaun Williams was a very late substitute for the hosts.
League One leaders Portsmouth had player of the month nominee Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven for their surprise one nil defeat by Fratton Park visitors Blackpool.

 

Following the FA Cup action of last weekend, the Championship resumed this Friday evening with current leaders Leeds United defeating sixth place Derby County by two goals to nil at Elland Road. A knee injury ruled out Ireland target Patrick Bamford for the victorious hosts but Richard Keogh was in his regular centre back position for the vanquished visitors.

Premier League leaders Liverpool exited the FA Cup in a two one defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round this Monday evening. The visitors, who named nineteen year old goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher on the substitute bench, were very disappointing and the hosts fully merited their victory. Wolves, who currently sit ninth on the Premier League table, introduced Matt Doherty from the substitute bench on seventy five minutes to help retain their lead and secure victory. The fourth round draw was made this evening and Wolves will travel to face the winners of the third round replay between Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town.

 

The third round of the 2019 FA Cup continued on Sunday afternoon with Fulham and unused substitute Cyrus Christie exiting the competition following a two one defeat by League Two side Oldham Athletic at Craven Cottage.  Aiden O’Brien and Derby County loanee Alex Pearce both started for Millwall who came from behind to defeat visitors Hull City by two goals to one at the New Den. Shaun Williams also returned to action with the ‘Lions’, following his lengthy injury absence, with a sixty third minute introduction from the substitute bench. Preston North End went down to a three one  home defeat by League One promotion chasers Doncaster Rovers at Deepdale where Graham Burke started but was replaced at half-time by Alan Browne, while long term injury victim Sean Maguire returned to action as a seventy fourth minute substitute. The victors included goalkeeper Ian Lawlor in their starting eleven while new signing Kieran Sadlier was introduced  for the final six minutes. As expected, the Sheffield United trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick were rested to the substitute bench where they remained as their side exited the competition at Bramall Lane following a one nil defeat by National League side Barnet.  Thirty year old Padraig Amond scored the eighty fifth minute penalty which saw League Two side Newport County defeat seventh place Premier League side Leicester City by two goals to one at Rodney Parade.

There was further Irish involvement in three FA Cup third round ties  kicking-off at 5.30pm this Saturday afternoon. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who defeated Premier League strugglers Huddersfield Town by one goal to nil at Ashton Gate while Darragh Lenihan started and Derrick Williams was a very late substitute for Blackburn Rovers who have travelled to  St James Park where they played out a one all draw with Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark was an unused substitute following his recovery from injury. Championship high flyers Norwich City were reduced to ten men early in their Carrow Road contest with League One leaders Portsmouth following a foul on Ronan Curtis and ‘Pompey’ went on to score a very late winner.