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The Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup second round kicked off with seven matches completed on Friday evening. Non-league side CIE Ranch played host to First Division leaders UCD and took an early two goal lead but were pegged back with the match going into extra-time, where the ‘Students’ took control, scoring four unanswered goals to progress to the quarter-finals. The other successful first round  non-league side Maynooth University Town went down to a four nil defeat by holders Cork City in Turners Cross. The only all Premier Division tie saw Derry City score the only goal to defeat St Patrick’s Athletic in the Brandywell while First Division promotion challengers Drogheda United went down to a one nil defeat by Premier Division third place Waterford in United Park. Current Premier Division leaders Dundalk defeated Finn Harps, currently occupying second place in the First Division, by two goals to nil in Oriel Park while Galway United of the First Division went down to a two nil defeat by Premier Division visitors Bohemian in Eamonn Deacy Park. The remaining Premier versus First contest saw hosts Limerick defeat their visitors Cabinteely by two goals to one in the Markets Field.  

The Championship continued on Friday evening with current leaders Middlesbrough scoring an added time winner to defeat seventh place West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. Current Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph as expected retained his starting role for the hosts, our only senior number one in regular club action, although this evening he had little or no real action to contend with.

The Irish trio of Jeff Hendrick, Kevin Long and Stephen Ward all started for their club Burnley who went down to a disappointing three one away defeat by Olympiakos of Greece in the third round first leg of the Europa League on Thursday evening. They now face a formidable task in the second leg which is set for Turf Moor next Thursday evening. Robbie Brady has resumed full training with the ‘Clarets’ following his lengthy injury absence and is expected to shortly be available for action while young defender Jimmy Dunne has joined current Scottish Premier League leaders Heart of Midlothian on loan until the 7th January 2019.

The hectic Championship schedule continued on Wednesday evening with Aston Villa scoring in the fifth minute of added time to secure a two all draw with visitors Brentford. Glenn Whelan started in midfield for the hosts with Conor Hourihane introduced for the final twelve minutes. Alan Judge was an unused substitute for the visitors. Darragh Lenihan was in central defence for Blackburn Rovers who came from two goals down to secure a two all draw with visitors Reading. The hosts goals both came from the penalty spot for fouls committed by visiting captain Paul McShane while David Meyler and John O’Shea were unused substitutes for the ‘Royals’. Alan Browne and Callum Robinson both started for Preston North End in their two nil defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road, while Graham Burke was an unused substitute. Also on their travels were Millwall, who went down to a two one defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.  Aiden O’Brien was substituted by the ‘Lions’ around the hour mark but Shaun Williams was not in the matchday squad. James McClean was in the Stoke City side which went down to a three nil home defeat by Wigan Athletic, who are managed by former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook.  

There was more Championship action on Tuesday evening with Richard Keogh and his Derby County colleagues securing a two nil victory over visitors Ipswich Town at Pride Park while Callum O’Dowda was a late substitute for Bristol City who defeated hosts Queens Park Rangers by three goals to nil at Loftus Road. Young Ryan Manning started for Rotherham United who went down to a three two defeat by visitors Hull City in the AESSEAL New York Stadium while fellow Galway native Conor Shaughnessy was an unused substitute for Leeds United who drew two each with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. 

Dundalk extended their lead at the summit of the Airtricity League Premier Division with a comfortable two nil victory over Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds this Monday evening. Goals in either half from Michael Duffy and Pat Hoban underpinned their success and they still have a further match in hand of second place Cork City.

 

Defending champions Cork City were unable to regain top spot in the Airtricity League Premier Division when they were held to a one all draw by visitors St Patrick’s Athletic in Turner’s Cross this Sunday evening. The ‘Rebels’ currently trail Dundalk on goal difference but the ‘Lilywhites’ do have two matches in hand and will themselves travel to face Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds on Monday evening.