News

Matt Doherty and his Wolverhampton Wanderers colleagues went down to a two nil defeat by current Premier League leaders Liverpool at Molineaux on Friday evening. Dubliner Doherty had a particularly strong first half and while less involved in the second period should be reasonably happy with his performance. The visiting ‘Reds’ monopolised possession and provided clinical finishing for both of their goals while the hosts created a number of fine opportunities to score but their finishing was quite amiss. 

The SSE Airtricity League fixtures for the 2019 season have been released this afternoon.

The Premier Division kicks off on Friday the 15th February 2019 with the following opening fixtures.
Bohemian v Finn Harps
Derry City v UCD
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City
Waterford v Shamrock Rovers

The First Division will commence one week later on Friday the 22nd February 2019 with the following opening fixtures.
Athlone Town v Wexford
Cabinteely v Bray Wanderers
Drogheda United v Cobh Ramblers
Galway United v Shelbourne
Limerick v Longford Town

Darren Randolph, who was rested in the earlier rounds, started for Middlesbrough, who currently sit sixth in the Championship, as they went down to a shock one nil home defeat in this evening’s English Football League Cup quarter-Final against mid-table League One side Burton Albion who included former Ireland midfielder Stephen Quinn in their starting eleven with former Ireland U21 defender Damian McCrory on the substitute bench. 

Midlands rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest played out a scoreless draw in the Championship at Pride Park on Monday evening. Richard Keogh was in his usual central defence position and performed solidly for the hosts while international retiree Daryl Murphy was a very late substitute for the visitors who trail their hosts by three points on the league table.

Shane Long made his return to competitive action for Southampton against Arsenal, following his lengthy injury absence, after sixty three minutes at St Mary’s Stadium this Sunday afternoon. In an open and entertaining contest which stood at two each upon his introduction, the Tipperary man made a significant contribution with the precise cross which enabled his side to score the winning goal with five minutes of normal time remaining.
In the Scottish Premiership, there was joy for Daryl Horgan as his Hibernian defeated Glasgow Celtic by two goals to nil at Easter Road. Fellow wide man Jonny Hayes was a sixty second minute substitute for the visitors from Glasgow.

Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues went down to a three one defeat in their early afternoon Premier League contest at current leaders Manchester City with captain Coleman being substituted after fifty seven minutes. Ciaran Clark and Newcastle United were also on the road as they travelled to and defeated Huddersfield Town by one goal to nil. It was also an away day for the Burnley trio of Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and Kevin Long as their side travelled to face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium where they suffered a bitterly disappointing last minute defeat. Brady and Long both started with Hendrick getting just a couple of minutes in added time. Travel was the order of the day for more Irish footballers as Harry Arter and his Cardiff City colleagues went down to a three two defeat at Watford. Matt Doherty and Wolverhampton Wanderers had home comforts as they secured a two nil success over visitors AFC Bournemouth at Molineaux while Cyrus Christie was a second half substitute for Fulham who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors West Ham United and Declan Rice at Craven Cottage.

The Championship continued on Saturday afternoon with Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan starting for Aston Villa and Scott Hogan a very late substitute in their two all draw with visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean completed ninety minutes at Villa Park. Blackburn Rovers had Darragh Lenihan in their starting eleven with Derrick Williams unused on the bench as they played out a two all draw with visitors Birmingham City. Preston North End included Alan Browne in their starting eleven and he opened the scoring in their three two victory over visitors Millwall for whom Aiden O’Brien completed ninety minutes at Deepdale. QPR secured a two one success over visitors Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph at Loftus Road. Rotherham United had Richie Towell and Anthony Forde in their starting eleven but Ryan Manning remained on the bench as they played out a one all draw with fellow strugglers Reading. The late kick-off saw Bristol City play out a two all draw with Ashton Gate visitors Norwich City. Callum O’Dowda started, scored and was named ‘man of the match’ following his return to the hosts starting eleven.

League One leaders Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven as they drew one each with Barnsley at Oakwell.