News

Dundalk are through to their fourth successive FAI Cup Final following a hard fought one nil victory over First Division Champions UCD in Oriel Park this Friday evening. The winning goal came four minutes before the half-time break and was scored by Patrick Hoban.

There were two Championship matches played this Friday evening with Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda playing out a one all draw with visitors Aston Villa who included Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven with Glenn Whelan unused on the substitute bench. The Yorhshire derby meeting of Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United was without any Irish presence, with goalkeeper Keiren Westwood consigned to the third choice backwater at Hillsborough while young Conor Shaughnessy currently finds himself on the first team periphery at Elland Road.

Head Coach Dave Connell has named a 20 player Ireland Under 19 Women’s squad for the  European Championship Qualifying Stage which will be hosted by Lithuania between the 2nd and 8th October 2018. The Faroe Islands and Ukraine will be the other two countries contesting Group Eight with the top two progressing to the next Elite Stage. The Championship Finals are scheduled for Scotland during the summer of 2019.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Rachel Kelly (Shelbourne LFC), Erica Turner (UCD Waves)
Defenders: Rachel Baynes (Galway WFC), Leah Brady (Galway WFC), Sadhbh Doyle (Galway WFC), Doireann Fahey (Wexford WFC), Roisin McGovern (UCD Waves), Tiegan Ruddy (CCSU Blue Devils), Aoife Slattery (Wexford WFC)
Midfielders: Isibeal Atkinson (Shelbourne LFC), Amy Boyle-Carr (Sion Swifts), Sinead Donovan (Galway WFC),  Ciara Fowler (Bankstown City Lions), Lucia Lobato (Galway WFC), Megan Mackey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Heather Payne (Peamount United),  Chloe Singleton (Galway WFC), Aoife Thompson (Galway WFC)
Forwards: Louise Masterson (Peamount United), Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne LFC), Carla McManus (Kilkenny United)

Fixtures
Tuesday 2 October: Lithuania v Republic of Ireland – SRC Alytus – 4pm
Friday 5 October: Faroe Islands v Republic of Ireland – Marijampole – 1pm
Monday 8 October: Ukraine v Republic of Ireland – Marijampole – 2pm

The third round of the EFL Cup continued on Wednesday evening with Arsenal defeating Brentford by three goals to one at the Emirates Stadium where Alan Judge completed the full ninety minutes and scored the ‘Bees’ goal with a superb free kick. Nottingham Forest included Daryl Murphy in their starting eleven and he scored in their three two victory over visitors Stoke City. League Two basement side Macclesfield Town were crushed eight nil by West Ham United at the London Stadium where Declan Rice joined the fray after just nine minutes and eighteen year old midfielder Conor Coventry was introduced for the second half.  

Dundalk moved twelve points clear at the summit of the Airtricity League Premier Division following their three two victory over Derry City in Oriel Park this Tuesday evening. With just four series of matches remaining the ‘Lilywhites’ are almost certainly Champions.

The first series of matches in round three of the English Football League Cup took place this Tuesday evening with AFC Bournemouth, who had nineteen year old goalkeeper Mark Travers on the bench, securing a three two victory over Championship visitors Blackburn Rovers who included Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven. League One side Burton Albion, with former U21 international Damian McClure at left back, came from behind to defeat Burnley by two goals to one. Kevin Long started and scored the opener while Stephen Ward also started with Jeff Hendrick introduced from the bench on seventy four minutes. Millwall had Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven with Shaun Williams a late substitute in their three one home defeat by Fulham for whom Cyrus Christie completed the full ninety minutes and scored the third goal. Callum Robinson scored the opener for Preston North End but visitors Middlesbrough recovered and the match ended in a two all draw with Middlesbrough prevailing by four goals to three in the penalty shoot-out. Wes Hoolihan completed the full ninety minutes for West Bromwich Albion in their three nil home defeat by Crystal Palace. Richard Keogh was among the penalty shoot-out scorers for Derby County who knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford by eight penalties to seven after a two all draw. 

The tribute match in respect of the late Liam Miller, between the Manchester United Legends managed by Roy Keane and a Republic of Ireland & Glasgow Celtic Legends side managed by Martin O’Neill will take place at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. The match, to raise funds for Liam’s widow and three young children, is a 45,000 sell out and will be followed later that evening by a Gala Dinner in Cork City Hall, which is also sold out.

Because of significant interest the organising committee has arranged to print special non-attendance commemorative e-tickets which together with a special match day brochure can be purchased for just €5 + €2 postage & packaging. Full details are available on the Liam Miller Testimonial Website – www.supportliammiller.com