News

Our Republic of Ireland U19 side under the guidance of Head Coach Tom Mohan played out a two all draw with Sweden in a friendly international played in Marbella early this Friday afternoon. Ireland took a ninth minute lead through Evan Caffrey and fifteen minutes later Zak Gilsenan added  a second. Sweden responded shortly before the half-time break from the penalty spot and scored the equaliser on 62 minutes. The sides will meet again at 11am on Monday morning in the same venue.

The matches form part of the preparation for the 2021/22 European Championship qualifying Group 6 in Bulgaria between the 10th and 16th November 2021 where Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro complete the four nation Group.

Team: Dan Rose; Josh Seary,  Bosun Lawal, Anselmo McNulty, Tayo Adaramola; Oisin Gallagher, Christiano Fitzgerald, John Joe Benoa; Zak Gilsenan, Evan Caffrey, Jamie Mullins

Substitutes:
Luke Pearce for Gilsenan 49′
James Abankwah for Seary 62′
Val Adedokun for Fitzgerald 62′
Harry Vaughan for Mullins 62′
Ed McJannet for Benoa 70′
Ben McCormack for Caffrey 70′
Jevon Mills for Gallagher 76′

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arlo Doherty (Leicester City), Dan Rose (Schalke 04)

Defenders: James Abankwah (St Patrick’s Athletic), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Val Adedokun (Brentford), Bosun Lawal (Glasgow Celtic), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), Jevon Mills (Hull City), Josh Seary (Preston North End)

Midfielders: John Joe Finn-Benoa (Getafe), Evan Caffrey (UCD), Kian Corbally (St Patrick’s Athletic), Oisin Gallagher (Lincoln City), Ben McCormack (St Patrick’s Athletic), Ed McJannett (Luton Town), Harry Vaughan (Oldham Athletic)

Forwards: Aidomo Emakhu* (Shamrock Rovers), Cristiano Fitzgerald (Boavista), Zak Gilsenan (Blackburn Rovers), Cian Hayes (Fleetwood Town), Johnny Kenny** (Sligo Rovers), Jamie Mullins (Bohemian), Luke Pearce (Southampton)
* Match 2 Only **  Match 2 if not with U21s

 

Our Republic of Ireland U21 side guided by Head Coach Jim Crawford continued their European U21 Championship qualifying campaign with a two nil victory over visitors Luxembourg in Tallaght Stadium this Friday afternoon. Ireland dominated much of the proceedings and should perhaps have added  to their goal tally. The visitors did offer the occasional threat but goalkeeper Brian Murphy dealt competently with the little that came his way. Captain Conor Coventry controlled midfield and was named ‘man of the match’ whilst also converting the penalty for Ireland’s second goal. The left side duo of Joel Bagan and Tyreik Wright were particularly impressive while Liam Kerrigan, something of an unexpected starter, more than justified his inclusion and it was he who was brought down for the penalty.  The first goal came on 18 minutes and was finished  by Joshua Kayode after excellent build up play from Wright. 

Team: Brian Maher; Lee O’Connor, Jake O’Brien, Mark McGuinness, Joel Bagan; Gavin Kilkenny, Conor Coventry(c), Ross Tierney; Liam Kerrigan, Joshua Kayode, Tyreik Wright

Substitutes:
Evan Ferguson for Kayode 69′
Conor Noss for Tierney 69′
Alex Gilbert for Kerrigan 86′
Dawson Devoy for Kilkenny 86′

We are set to face Montenegro in Podgorica on Tuesday next at 4.30pm but because there removal from the UK red list does not become effective until Monday morning while we fly to Podgorica at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon we may be obliged to select a home based squad. With this in mind, Crawford has selected an extended squad of home based players for the match while still hoping for a dispensation which would allow him to retain the UK based players. There has been a positive response from AFC Bournemouth and Rotherham United who have given approval for Gavin Kilkenny and Joshua Kayode to travel. Oisin McEntee has been denied permission to travel by his loan club Greenock Morton. 

Squad (v Luxembourg)

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Norwich City-on loan at Bury Town), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Ronan Boyce (Derry City),  Kameron Ledwidge (Shelbourne), Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Alex Gilbert (Brentford-on loan at Swindon Town), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), Louie Watson (Derby County)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)

Provisional Squad (v Montenegro)

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Norwich City-on loan at Bury Town), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United),    Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers on loan at Cliftonville)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Ronan Boyce (Derry City), Kameron Ledwidge (Shelbourne),  Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers).
     Josh Honohan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), Niall O’Keefe (Waterford), Andrew Quinn (Dundalk-on loan at Bray Wanderers), Evan Weir (UCD), Luke Turner (Aberdeen on loan at Cliftonville)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Alex Gilbert (Brentford-on loan at Swindon Town), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), Louie Watson (Derby County).        Evan McLaughlin (Derry City), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Darragh Nugent (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Longford Town), Killian Phillips (Drogheda United)  

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)
Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Bray Wanderers), Cian Kavanagh (Waterford), Johnny Kenny (Sligo Rovers), Dean Williams (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Longford Town)  

Because of international call-ups there was a much reduced domestic league programme this weekend.

In the only surviving Premier Division fixture, Shamrock Rovers went down to a one nil defeat by Dundalk in Oriel Park in very competitive and entertaining contest on Friday evening.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts 
Shamrock Rovers        29 19  5  5  46 22   24   62
St Patrick’s Athletic  29 16  5  8  47 33   14   53
Sligo Rovers           29 13  7  9  34 25    9   46
Derry City             29 11  9  9  40 36    4   42
Bohemian               28 12  5 11  48 36   12   41
Dundalk                30 10  8 12  38 42   -4   38
Drogheda United        29 10  7 12  40 36    4   37
Finn Harps             29 10  7 12  33 40   -7   37
Waterford              29 10  3 16  25 46  -21   33
Longford Town          29  2  8 19  20 55  -35   14

There were three Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Friday evening with already crowned champions Shelbourne held to a one all draw by Athlone Town in Tolka Park. The other two fixtures involved the four bottom sides with Cabinteely going down to a two one defeat by visitors Cobh Ramblers at Stradbrook while Cork City defeated Wexford by four goals to nil in Turner’s Cross. 

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shelbourne             25 16  8  1  48 20   28   56
Galway United          24 13  6  5  36 21   15   45
UCD                    24 11  6  7  51 36   15   39
Treaty United          24 10  8  6  32 24    8   38
Bray Wanderers         24  9 10  5  33 24    9   37
Athlone Town           25  9  5 11  31 41  -10   32
Cork City              25  7  9  9  34 27    7   30
Cabinteely             25  7  1 17  24 44  -20   22
Cobh Ramblers          25  6  4 15  21 45  -24   22
Wexford                25  5  3 17  24 52  -28   18

 

Our U17 team guided by Head Coach Colin O’Brien commenced their 2022 Group 5 European Championship qualifying campaign with a comprehensive five nil victory over Andorra on Thursday evening in Turner’s Cross, Cork. Justin Ferizaj gave Ireland the lead on 13 minutes with a fine individual goal and that was the only goal of the first half. The second half saw Ireland take complete command and a goal on 59 minutes from Mark O’Mahony, who had been introduced  from the substitute bench just two minutes earlier, was the forerunner for further strikes from Kevin Zefi (69′), Sam Curtis (74′) and Rocco Vata (76′). RISSC (London) member James McManus, son of long standing member Pat McManus, completed the full 90 minutes in midfield.  

Team: Conor Walsh; Luke Browne, Sam Curtis, Cathal Heffernan (c), Luke O’Brien; Justin Ferizaj, James McManus, Rocco Vata; Franco Umeh, Caden McLoughlin, Kevin Zefi

Substitutes:
Mark O’Mahony for McLoughlin 57′
Alex Nolan for Uneh 70′
Darius Lipsivc for Ferizaj 80′
Liam Murray for Vata 80′

North Macedonia and Poland, kicked-off the qualifying process at 2pm in The Mardyke, Cork where they played out a scoreless draw.

Sunday 10 October: Poland v Andorra – The Mardyke – 2pm. RoI v North Macedonia – Turner’s Cross – 7pm

Wednesday 13 October: Andorra v North Macedonia – The Mardyke – 1pm. RoI v Poland – Turner’s Cross – 1pm

Squad

Goalkeepers: Fintan Doherty (Derry City), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Luke Browne (Shelbourne), Sam Curtis (St Patrick’s Athletic), Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Ruadhan Kane (Klub Kildare), Daniel Kelly (Sligo Rovers), Luke O’Brien (St Patrick’s Athletic)

Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Gavin Hodgkin (Shelbourne), Darius Lipsivc (St Patrick’s Athletic), James McManus (Bohemian), Liam Murray (Cork City), Franco Umeh (Cork City), Rocco Vata (Glasgow Celtic)

Forwards: Trent Kone Doherty (Derry City), Caden McLoughlin (Villareal), Alex Nolan (St Patrick’s Athletic), Mark O’Mahony (Cork City),  Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)

Republic of Ireland U19 Head Coach Tom Mohan has named  a 23 player squad for two friendly internationals against Sweden in Marbella, Spain over the coming weekend. The matches form part of the preparation for the upcoming 2021/22 UEFA Championship qualifying group 6 in Bulgaria between the 10th and 16th November 2021.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arlo Doherty (Leicester City), Dan Rose (Schalke 04)

Defenders: James Abankwah (St Patrick’s Athletic), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Val Adedokun (Brentford), Boaun Lawal (Glasgow Celtic), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), Jevon Mills (Hull City), Josh Seary (Preston North End)

Midfielders: John Joe Finn-Benoa (Getafe), Evan Caffrey (UCD), Kian Corbally (St Patrick’s Athletic), Oisin Gallagher (Lincoln City), Ben McCormack (St Patrick’s Athletic), Ed McJannett (Luton Town), Harry Vaughan (Oldham Athletic)

Forwards: Aidomo Emakhu* (Shamrock Rovers), Cristiano Fitzgerald (Boavista), Zak Gilsenan (Blackburn Rovers), Cian Hayes (Fleetwood Town), Johnny Kenny** (Sligo Rovers), Jamie Mullins (Bohemian), Luke Pearce (Southampton)
* Match 2 Only **  Match 2 if not with U21s

Friday 8 October: Sweden U19 v RoI U19 2.30pm
Monday 11 October: Sweden U198 v RoI U19 11.00am

 

Sunday (3/10)
Matt Doherty did not do enough to retain his midweek Europa Conference starting role with Tottenham Hotspur and was unused on the substitute bench for the two one victory over visitors Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Caoimhin Kelleher was, as expected, on bench duty for Liverpool who played out a memorable two all draw with visitors Manchester City at Anfield. 

RSC Anderlecht and Josh Cullen played out a one all Belgian First Division draw against visiting leaders Club Bruges early on Sunday afternoon.

Zack Elbouzedi was in Swedish Allsvenskan action for second place AIK Solna who defeated top of the table Djurgardens by one goal to nil this Sunday afternoon.

James McCarthy and Liam Scales were unused substitutes for Glasgow Celtic who defeated hosts Aberdeen by two goals to one in the Scottish Premiership at Pittodrie this afternoon. Jonny Hayes completed the full ninety minutes for the defeated ‘Dons’.

Saturday (2/10)
Nathan Collins started for Burnley who were held to a scoreless Premier League draw by Turf Moor visitors Norwich City for whom Adam Idah was a 90th minute substitute while Andrew Omobamidele was confined to the bench. Kevin Long also returned to the ‘Clarets’ bench after his lengthy injury absence. Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated visitors Newcastle United by two goals to one at Molineaux.  Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ while Jeff Hendrick scored their goal six minutes after his 35th minute introduction from the substitute bench. The late kick-off  saw Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal play out a scoreless draw at the AMEX Stadium with Shane Duffy in fine form for the hosts while Aaron Connolly was unused on the substitute bench.

Livingston play host to St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership with Jamie McGrath and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in the visiting side.

In the Championship, AFC Bournemouth and Mark Travers play host to Sheffield United who include John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven with Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane on the bench. Struggling Cardiff City include Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven with Joel Bagan and James Collins on their bench for the visit of Reading. Jason Knight starts with Louie Watson and Festy Ebosele on the bench for Derby County who face visitors Swansea City and Ryan Manning at Pride Park. West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry and fellow midfielder Sam Szmodics start with Jack Taylor, who was name dropped by Stephen Kenny this week, on the bench for Peterborough United who play host to Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda. Defender Jimmy Dunne is in the QPR side for the visit of  Preston North End who include Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven with Alan Browne on the substitute bench.

Chiedoze Ogbene and Joshua Kayode are on the Rotherham United substitute bench for their League One contest at Cheltenham Town. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott is also on the road with MK Dons who visit Doncaster Rovers. Harry Arter and Charlton Athletic visit Fleetwood Town while James McClean and new call-up Will Keane travel South to Gillingham. Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu is in the Portsmouth side for the visit of current leaders Sunderland. Daryl Horgan and Wycombe Wanderers play host to Morecambe.

Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright is on the Salford City  bench for their League Two visit to Colchester United. Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor is on the bench for Tranmere Rovers who play host to Crawley Town for whom Southampton loanee Will Ferry misses out through injury which may also see him miss next week’s U21 engagement with Luxembourg.

 

Republic of Ireland U21 Head Coach Jim Crawford has announced  his 24 man squad for the European U21 Championship qualifying contest against Luxembourg set for Tallaght Stadium at 5.15pm on Friday the 8th October. We are set to face Montenegro in Podgorica four days later at 4.30pm but because they are on the UK and Germany red list but not on Ireland’s we may be obliged to select a home based squad. With this in mind, Crawford has selected an extended squad for the second match.

Squad (v Luxembourg)

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Norwich City-on loan at Bury Town), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City) Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Alex Gilbert (Brentford-on loan at Swindon Town), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), Louie Watson (Derby County)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)

Provisional Squad (v Montenegro)

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Norwich City-on loan at Bury Town), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United),    Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers on loan at Cliftonville)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City) Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers).           Ronan Boyce (Derry City), Kameron Ledwidge (Shelbourne), Josh Honohan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), Niall O’Keefe (Waterford), Andrew Quinn (Dundalk-on loan at Bray Wanderers), Evan Weir (UCD), Luke Turner (Aberdeen on loan at Cliftonville)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Alex Gilbert (Brentford-on loan at Swindon Town), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), Louie Watson (Derby County).        Evan McLaughlin (Derry City), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Darragh Nugent (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Longford Town), Killian Phillips (Drogheda United)  

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)
Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Bray Wanderers), Cian Kavanagh (Waterford), Johnny Kenny (Sligo Rovers), Dean Williams (Shamrock Rovers-on loan at Longford Town)