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The Premier League continued on Monday evening with the South Coast derby meeting of Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion ending in a two all draw. Shane Long started for the ‘Saints’ and faced Shane Duffy in his central defensive role for the visiting ‘Seagulls’. The hosts saw a two goal lead evaporate with Duffy first reducing the arrears and then earning an added time penalty which was converted for the equalising goal.

Ireland U17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien has named his new squad for the upcoming double header against Turkey this week. The sides will meet in Tallaght Stadium at 7pm on Tuesday evening and again in the same venue at 1pm on Thursday afternoon. With Ireland set to host the European Championship Finals in May 2019 there will now be a lengthy preparation journey with a series of friendly internationals from which the squad to contest the finals tournament will emerge.

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Shamrock Rovers), Jimmy Corcoran (Preston North End)
Defenders: Thomas Considine (Bohemian, Zak Delaney (West Bromwich Albion), Alex Dunne (Shamrock Rovers), Jack Funge (Bohemian), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers), Cian Kelly (Shamrock Rovers),
Midfielders: Conor Carty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Kyle Conway (St Patrick’s Athletic), Brandon Holt (St Patrick’s Athletic), Seamus Keogh (Southampton), Timi Sobowale (Manchester City), Luke Turner (Aberdeen)
Forwards: Darragh Burns (St Patrick’s Athletic), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Matt Everitt (Brighton & Hove Albion), Leo Gaxha (Sheffield United), Joshua Giurgi (Norwich City)

All RISSC London members who have renewed to date should, by now, have received their badge & pen in the post. Please email rissc@rissc.org if you have any queries.

Derry City have won the first trophy of the 2018 Irish domestic season with a three one victory over First Division side Cobh Ramblers in the EA Sports Cup final played in the Brandywell this afternoon.

There was more Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with Matt Doherty earning the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his wing back performance for Wolverhampton Wanderers in their one nil victory over visitors Burnley who included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Kevin Long and Stephen Ward unused substitutes. Later in the afternoon the currently ‘undecided’ Declan Rice was impressive in the holding midfield role for West Ham United who defeated Everton by three goals to one at Goodison Park. 

There was very little Irish involvement in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Harry Arter started for Cardiff City in their four one defeat at Chelsea but was withdrawn at half-time with a stomach upset while Greg Cunningham was an unused substitute. Cyrus Christie completed the full ninety minutes for Fulham in their three nil defeat at Manchester City while Ciaran Clark was a half-time substitute for Newcastle United who went down to a two one defeat by visitors Arsenal at St James Park, with Clark scoring the ‘Magpies’ goal in added  time.  

The Championship resumed on Saturday afternoon with Blackburn Rovers conceding an added time equaliser to an exquisite free kick converted by seventy seventh minute substitute Conor Hourihane for Aston Villa at Ewood Park. Darragh Lenihan started in central defence for the hosts while Derrick Williams, returning following injury, was introduced from the bench on seventy three minutes.  Bristol City scored the only goal following a cross from sixty second minute substitute Callum O’Dowda to defeat visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven. Millwall had Ireland goalscorers Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Leeds United at the New Den. Callum Robinson scored for Preston North End in their three two defeat by visitors Reading while Graham Burke was an eightieth minute substitute. Rotherham United, scored the only goal, a penalty converted by Ryan Manning, to defeat visitors Derby County. Loanee Richie Towell also started for Rotherham while Richard Keogh was in defence for the ‘Rams’.  Norwich City scored the only goal to defeat visitors Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph at Carrow Road.

In the First Division, Irish eyes were focussed on Ronan Curtis who started for Portsmouth who superseded their hosts Peterborough United at the top of the table with a two one victory.