News

There was more Irish involvement in the Scottish Premiership early on Sunday afternoon with former U21 international Carl McHugh scoring one of the goals for Motherwell in their three all draw with visitors Glasgow Rangers. Conor Sammon was a late substitute for the Fir Park hosts. Jonny Hayes was an unused substitute for  Glasgow Celtic who defeated visitors Hamilton Accademical with the only goal at Parkhead. 

There was further Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with newly promoted Fulham, for whom Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute, securing a four two victory over a Burnley side who suffered a three one Europa League third round first leg defeat in Greece on Thursday evening. Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward both started again today, with Hendrick scoring after ten minutes, but Kevin Long was an unused substitute. Jon Walters appears to be out of favour while Robbie Brady is still seeking to regain full fitness following his lengthy injury absence. Also in late afternoon action were Newcastle United, for whom Ciaran Clark was on central defensive duty, who went down to a two one defeat by visitors  Chelsea at St James Park. 

There was further Championship action early on Sunday afternoon when QPR loanee Ryan Manning played his part for Rotherham United who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Millwall in the AESSEAL New York Stadium. The winning goal was scored on twenty minutes by Norwich City loanee Sean Raggett. The 6’6″ centre back has been capped by England at non-league ‘C’ level but is believed to also be eligible for Ireland. The visiting ‘Lions’ included Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven.

The one remaining Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup second round tie between First Division sides Longford Town and Shelbourne took place this Saturday evening in the City Calling Stadium, with goals in either half securing a quarter-final place for the hosts. The quarter-final draw is scheduled to be made live on the RTE Soccer Republic Show between 7pm and 8pm this Monday evening.

There was Irish involvement in two Scottish Premiership matches this Saturday afternoon with Daryl Horgan starting for Hibernian who scored a late equaliser to secure a point against visitors Aberdeen at Easter Road. Watford loanee Tommie Hoban put the ‘Dons’ ahead on the stroke of half-time and he was joined in the starting eleven by Stephen Gleeson but Chris Forrester remained unused on the bench. Meanwhile at Rugby Park, Gary Dicker was red carded for the hosts Kilmarnock on sixty eight minutes as current league leaders Heart of Midlothian scored the only goal to maintain their one hundred  per cent record. Young centre back Jimmy Dunne, on loan from Burnley, completed the full ninety minutes for the victors while U21 midfielder Jake Mulraney was substituted after sixty one minutes. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers wing back Matt Doherty, who suffered a nasty injury on Saturday last, was fit and included in the starting eleven when all conquering Manchester City were held to a one all draw at Molineaux in the Premier League early this Saturday afternoon. Declan Rice, excluded from the West Ham United squad for last weekend’s home defeat by AFC Bournemouth, was back on the substitute bench as his side went down to a three one defeat by  Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues travelled to the South coast where AFC Bournemouth came from behind to secure a two all draw while Cardiff City included Harry Arter in their starting eleven with Greg Cunningham an unused substitute for their scoreless draw at Huddersfield Town. Shane Long started for Southampton who went down to a two one defeat at home to Leicester City while Shane Duffy was in the Brighton & Hove Albion starting eleven for the one nil defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.  

The Championship meeting of Aston Villa and Reading on Saturday afternoon ended in a one all draw with Conor Hourihane a second half substitute and Glenn Whelan unused on the substitute bench while David Meyler started for the visitors with John O’Shea also unused on the bench. Darragh Lenihan retained his centre back position for Blackburn Rovers in their one nil victory over visitors Brentford, for whom Alan Judge who has seen very little action this season so far was introduced from the bench on sixty four minutes. Surprise packet Bolton Wanderers had Marc Wilson on the bench as they crashed to an unexpected three nil home defeat by visitors Sheffield United for whom John Egan and Enda Stevens maintained their ever present starting roles while David McGoldrick was introduced for the second half. Richard Keogh, a Derby County regular this season was again in action for the two nil victory over visitors Preston North End who included Callum Robinson and Graham Burke in their starting eleven. James McClean, involved in some in house troubles at Stoke City, started and scored after nine minutes against visitors Hull City as his side ran out two nil victors at the Brittania Stadium. Callum O’Dowda was introduced from the bench after thirty one minutes as his Bristol City scored the only goal for victory at Swansea City. Leeds United maintained their fine start with a three nil victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road where Conor Shaughnessy was an unused substitute and the recently touted Patrick Bamford a seventy seventh minute substitute.