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Harry Arter was in midfield action for early strugglers Cardiff City who went down to a three two Premier League defeat by visitors Arsenal early on Sunday afternoon while Greg Cunningham was an unused substitute. Jeff Hendrick started with Kevin Long and Stephen Ward on the Burnley substitute bench for the visit of Manchester United who secured a two nil success at Turf Moor. The ‘Clarets’ whose European foray ended on Thursday night have not performed to the levels they achieved last season and look destined for a tough league campaign. 

Portman Road hosted the East Anglian ‘Derby’ meeting of Ipswich Town and Norwich City at noon on Sunday with former ‘Tractor Boys’ hero Jon Walters completing the full ninety minutes of the one all draw following his deadline day loan transfer from Burnley. A little later in the afternoon, Callum O’Dowda was introduced from the  Bristol City substitute bench for the final quarter of their emphatic four one defeat of visitors Blackburn Rovers, for whom Darragh Lenihan was in central defence while Derrick Williams was an unused substitute following his return from a three week injury absence. 

Brighton & Hove Albion, with Shane Duffy in defence, recovered a two goal deficit to earn a point in a two all draw with visitors Fulham for whom Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute in the Premier League this afternoon. Shane Long started for Southampton in their two nil victory at Crystal Palace while Seamus Coleman was in the Everton side held to a one all draw by visitors Huddersfield Town. Matt Doherty was in his regular wing back position for Wolverhampton Wanderers who scored the only goal in added time to secure a one nil victory at West Ham United.

Aston Villa, with Glenn Whelan a midfield starter, suffered a crushing four one Championship defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. John Egan, David McGoldrick and Enda Stevens all completed ninety minutes for the ‘Blades’ while Conor Hourihane  was a sixty third minute substitute for Villa. Alan Browne and Callum Robinson both scored for Preston North End in their two all ‘Derby’ encounter with Bolton Wanderers at Deepdale while Graham Burke was substituted at half-time.    

The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Friday evening with current leaders Dundalk scoring the only goal against relegation threatened Limerick in the Markets Field and go six points clear of second place Cork City who went down to their first home defeat of the season when Sligo Rovers came from behind to secure a two one victory in Turner’s Cross. Shamrock Rovers leapfrogged Waterford  into third place following their three nil victory over beleaguered Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds while the ‘Blues’ crashed to a three nil defeat by  St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park. Derry City went down to a two nil defeat by Bohemian at the Brandywell in a rehearsal for their FAI Cup quarter-final.

With now just two sets of fixtures remaining, the Airtricity League First Division is set for a taut climax. UCD currently lead the way with a five point advantage over second place Finn Harps, with both sides victorious this evening. The battle for second, third and fourth places, which offer a promotion opportunity through the play-off process, sees four clubs, Finn Harps, Shelbourne, Drogheda United and Longford Town, who play Cabinteely on Saturday evening,in contention.  

The current top two in the Championship, Leeds United and Middlesbrough, played out a scoreless draw at Elland Road on Friday evening. Darren Randolph was in his customary goalkeeping position for the visitors.

Our Senior Women under the guidance of Head Coach Colin Bell completed their 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign with an emphatic four nil victory over Northern Ireland in Tallaght Stadium on Friday afternoon. A brace each from Leanne Kiernan and captain Katie McCabe set the seal on a comfortable success. Ireland finish third in the group behind top seeds Holland and Norway. Several new young players have been introduced to the squad during the current qualifying campaign and hopes are high that a first ever Championship Finals place can be achieved when the European Championship qualifiers commence next year.