Shane Long, who scored in a fine performance against Arsenal on Sunday last, was an injury doubt for Southampton but completed another ninety minutes and took quite a battering as his side squandered a two goal lead and lost by three goals to two against visitors Chelsea in the Premier League in this afternoon’s early kick-off. The Burnley duo of Stephen Ward and Kevin Long started with Long scoring in their two one victory over visitors Leicester City while Jeff Hendrick was a late substitute for the Turf Moor hosts. Shane Duffy and his Brighton & Hove Albion colleagues went down to a three two defeat at Crystal Palace while Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues played out a one all draw at Swansea City.
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This weekend in the Airtricity League Premier Division
Match Series Eleven in the Airtricity League Premier Division commenced this Friday evening with current leaders Dundalk earning a two nil success at basement side Bray Wanderers while Cork City moved into second place with their one nil defeat of St Patrick’s Athleic in Turner’s Cross. Waterford made the lengthy journey to take on Derry City in the Brandywell where they went down to a onenil defeat. Eir Sport brought live action from Tallaght Stadium where old Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemian went head to head, with the visiting ‘Gypsies’ emerging victorious by two goals to one, with the winner coming in the ninth minute of added time. The remaining contest between struggling sides Limerick and Sligo Rovers took place in the Markets Field on Saturday evening and saw the visitors prevail by two goals to one.
More Championship action on Friday evening…13/04/2018
The Championship run-in continued on Friday evening with Aston Villa ensuring at least a play-off place following their one nil home victory over Leeds United. Glenn Whelan started with Scott Hogan a late substitute for the victors while young centre back Paudie O’Connor started his third successive first team match for the visitors.
Centenary Shield finale against Scotland…12/04/2018
Rep. of Ireland U18 Schools International side lifted the 2018 Centenary Shield with a three one victory over Scotland at Home Farm FC this Thursday afternoon. First half goals from Ali Regbha, Liam Kerrigan and Regbha again set the seal on a well deserved victory.
Championship action on Wednesday evening
Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their journey to the Championship Title when they comfortably defeated fifth place Derby County by two goals to nil at Molineaux on Wednesday evening. Matt Doherty, who made his Ireland debut in Turkey last month, was in his usual wing back position for the hosts while Alex Pearce, who has recently superceded club captain Richard Keogh in the ‘Rams’ central defence, remained in situ.
Senior Women lose to Holland in World Cup qualifier
Rep. of Ireland Senior Women, guided by Head Coach Colin Bell, faced an enormous challenge when European Champions Holland entered Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday evening for a 2019 World Cup qualifier. Ireland had produced a magnificent defensive performance in Nijmegen when they held their Dutch hosts to a scoreless draw in the away contest but tonight with an injury and illness depleted squad, Bell’s charges found the challenge a bridge too far as they went down to a two nil defeat.
More Championship action on Tuesday evening
The Championship marathon continued on Tuesday evening with Cardiff City dropping to third following their one nil defeat at fourth place Aston Villa who included Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan in their starting eleven while Scott Hogan was an unused substitute. Our Preston North End trio of Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Sean Maguire started, with Browne and Maguire finding the net in their three one victory over visitors Leeds United for whom Paudie O’Connor was again in action while Daryl Horgan for the victors, was a late substitute. Bristol City, another side to drop off the pace, introduced Callum O’Dowda from the bench on sixty nine minutes of their three one defeat of visitors Birmingham City at Ashton Gate. Another side on the play-off fringes, Brentford, had John Egan in their side for their one nil success at Nottingham Forest. Former Limerick defender Barry Cotter made his Ipswich Town debut in their one nil victory over visitors Barnsley. David Meyler scored again from the penalty spot as his Hull City crushed their hosts Burton Albion by five goals to nil.