News

Shamrock Rovers took another giant step towards the Airtricity League Premier Division title when they came from behind to defeat Derry City by two goals to one in Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening. Second place St Patrick’s Athletic scored a last minute winner at Drogheda United who may yet find themselves embroiled in the relegation play-off battle. Dundalk, who are ensconced in that battle, journied to Finn Harps where the sides played out a two mall draw.

Relegation bound Longford Town went down to a four one home defeat by visitors Bohemian this Saturday evening while Waterford, another club absorbed by the relegation play-off battle, garnered a deserved point from a one all draw at third place Sligo Rovers.

The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Monday evening last with the re-arranged fixture between Dundalk and Bohemian taking place in Oriel Park where the hosts secured a two one victory to leapfrog Waterford in the relegation play-off position.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts 
Shamrock Rovers        28 19  5  4  46 21   25   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
Drogheda United        29 10  7 12  40 36    4   37
Finn Harps             29 10  7 12  33 40   -7   37
Dundalk                29  9  8 12  37 42   -5   35
Waterford              29 10  3 16  25 46  -21   33
Longford Town          29  2  8 19  20 55  -35   14

Airtricity League First Division leaders Shelbourne defeated fourth place Treaty United with the only goal in Tolka Park on Friday evening to win the League Title and an immediate return to the top flight. Third place UCD went down to a two one defeat at Wexford while  Bray Wanderers and Cork City played out a scoreless draw in the Carlisle Grounds. Athlone Town defeated visitors Cabinteely by two goals to one. St Colman’s Park hosted the meeting of Cobh Ramblers and second place Galway United which went the way of the visitors by one goal to nil.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shelbourne             24 16  7  1  47 19   28   55
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           24  9  4 11  30 40  -10   31
Cork City              24  6  9  9  30 27    3   27
Cabinteely             24  7  1 16  23 42  -19   22
Cobh Ramblers          24  5  4 15  19 44  -25   19
Wexford                24  5  3 16  24 48  -24   18 

 

 

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has announced his 26 man squad for the upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifier in Azerbaijan and the home friendly against Qatar. There is a first call-up for Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane while Cyrus Christie retains his place as a result of the hamstring injury which rules out captain Seamus Coleman. There is a welcome return to the squad for Enda Stevens, Jason Knight and Chiedoze Ogbene all of whom missed  the September contests through injury. There is no place at this juncture for Shane Long and Ronan Curtis both of whom were named  in the September squad. Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby also miss out as both are suspended for the Azerbaijan game. Ryan Manning became an injury victim prior to departure for Baku and has been replaced in the squad by Liam Scales of Glasgow Celtic. 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City-on loan at Portsmouth), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), 

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United),  Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Liam Scales (Glasgow Celtic)

Midfielders: Harry Arter (Charlton Athletic), Josh Cullen (RSC Anderlecht),  Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa-on loan at Sheffield United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jamie McGrath (St Mirren)  

Forwards: James Collins (Cardiff City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedoze Ogbene (Rotherham United), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur-on loan at MK Dons), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

 

 

 

Friday(1/10)
Stoke City played host to West Bromwich Albion who included Callum Robinson in their starting eleven while Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was an 80th minute substitute for their Championship meeting on Friday evening which the hosts deservedly won with the only goal.

Thursday(30/9)
James McCarthy recovered from his weekend injury and was introduced from the bench on 66 minutes as Glasgow Celtic crashed  to a four nil home defeat by Bayern Leverkusen in the Europa League. Liam Scales was an unused substitute. 

Matt Doherty returned to the Tottenham Hotspur starting eleven for the five one  Conference League victory over visiting Slovenian side NS Mura.

Wednesday(29/9)
There was further Championship action on Wednesday evening with Derby County defeating visitors Reading with the only goal in Pride Park. The ‘Rams’ sit at the foot of the table and started the match with a negative 2 points total following their 12 point penalty for maladministration. Jason Knight started for the ‘Rams’ and provided  the cross for the winning goal while young Louie Watson was unused on the substitute bench. Ryan Manning started in a back three for Swansea City who went down to a three one defeat at Fulham.  Jack Taylor started for Peterborough United and was replaced on 63 minutes by West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry with  Sam Szmodics introduced from the bench on 67 minutes as the ‘Posh’ held visitors AFC Bournemouth and Mark Travers to a scoreless draw. Danny McNamara returned  to the Millwall starting eleven for their one nil victory over visitors Bristol City  for whom Callum O’Dowda was a 55th minute substitute.

Stoke City loanee Ethan Varian was in Scottish Championship action with Raith Rovers who played out a one all draw with visitors Dunfermline. 

Tuesday (28/9)
Mick McCarthy and Cardiff City suffered bitter disappointment as they crashed  to their fourth successive defeat when visitors West Bromwich Albion defeated them by four goals to nil in the  Championship on Tuesday evening. The ‘Bluebirds included James Collins and Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven with both withdrawn on 67 minutes while Joel Bagan remained on the substitute bench. Callum Robinson started for the victorious visitors but was withdrawn after 63 minutes while loanee Jayson Molumby was introduced from the substitute bench on 81 minutes for his first action with the club. Sheffield United included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven as they suffered  a two nil defeat at Middlesbrough. Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane was a 77th minute substitute for the ‘Blades’ while international retiree David McGoldrick was introduced from the bench at half-time. Both Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire started for Preston North End with Alan Browne replacing Maguire on 63 minutes as they played out a one all draw with Stoke City at Deepdale. Jimmy Dunne retained his starting position for QPR while Scott Hogan  started for visitors Birmingham City as the hosts prevailed by two goals to nil at Loftus Road. 

Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis were in the Portsmouth side which went down to a two one League One defeat at Burton Albion where Thomas O’Connor opened  the scoring for the victors. Things have not gone as well as hoped for Harry Arter at Charlton Athletic and he was an unused substitute for the four one defeat by visitors Bolton Wanderers at the Valley. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott started for MK Dons who played out a three all draw with their visitors Fleetwood Town. Anthony Scully and Lincoln City went down to a two nil defeat at Morecambe while Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their side for the three nil defeat of visitors AFC Wimbledon with Joshua Kayode introduced from the bench on 66 minutes. Daryl Horgan was unused on the  Wycombe Wanderers bench for their two one victory at Shrewsbury Town.  James McClean started for Wigan Athletic who went down to a two one home defeat by visitors Sheffield Wednesday.

Caoimhin Kelleher was on the Liverpool substitute bench for their comprehensive five one thrashing of  FC Porto in their Group B Champions League engagement in Portugal.

Monday(27/9)
Old rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion locked Premier League horns in Selhurst Park on Monday evening. The visitors included Shane Duffy in their starting eleven with Aaron Connolly a 76th minute substitute as they garnered a fortunate point with an equaliser in the fifth minute of added time for a one all draw.   

The Swedish Allsvenskan meeting of Degerfors IF and AIK Solna went the way of the hosts by two goals to one. Zak Elbouzedi who has been performing very consistently throughout the season was again in the AIK side. 

 

 

 

 

Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Southampton going down to a one nil home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in St Mary’s Stadium where Shane Long was a 74th minute substitute for the ‘Saints’.  

The noon Scottish Premiership meeting of St Mirren and Aberdeen saw the home side come from behind to secure a three two victory. Loanee Connor Ronan scored twice for the hosts who included Jamie McGrath, Conor McCarthy, Joe Shaughnessy and Alan Power in their starting eleven while Jonny Hayes was in action for the visitors. James McCarthy was withdrawn at half-time while Liam Scales was unused on the Glasgow Celtic substitute bench for their one all draw with visitors  Dundee United. Jake Doyle-Hayes was a half-time substitute for Hibernian who scored  the only goal for victory over visitors St Johnstone at Easter Road.

The Scottish Championship meeting of Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle featured Stoke City loanee Ethan Varian in action with the hosts who emerged victorious by three goals to two.

In the Belgian First Division RSC Anderlecht included Josh Cullen in their starting eleven at  KV Oostende where they conceded two early goals and were then reduced to ten men following a red card 2 minutes into the second half. With Cullen working tirelessly in midfield, Vincent Kompany’s side scored twice to earn a valuable point.

Saturday
Injury ruled Seamus Coleman out of the Everton side for the Premier League visit of Norwich City to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. The  ‘Canaries’ named Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah on their substitute bench with neither seeing action as their side went down to a two nil defeat. Nathan Collins was unused on the Burnley substitute bench as the ‘Clarets’ earned  a two all draw at Leicester City. Ciaran Clark started and Jeff Hendrick remained on the bench for Newcastle United  who secured  a one all draw at Watford.  Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the substitute bench for Liverpool who shared six goals with hosts Brentford in a thrilling encounter. 

Birmingham City included Scott Hogan in their side for the Championship meeting with visitors Preston North End who named Sean Maguire in their starting eleven with Greg Cunningham unused on their substitute bench as the sides played out a scoreless draw. Darragh Lenihan started for Blackburn Rovers who crushed visitors Cardiff City by five goals to one. ‘Bluebirds’ manager Mick McCarthy included Joel Bagan in the starting eleven with James Collins a very late substitute while Mark McGuinness was unused on the substitute bench. Mark Travers was in action with  AFC Bournemouth who defeated visitors Luton Town by two goal to one at the Vitality Stadium. Sheffield United included John Egan in their starting eleven with Enda Stevens a 71st minute substitute and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane introduced on 81 minutes for the one nil victory over beleaguered visitors Derby County who introduced Jason Knight on 59 minutes while Louis Watson remained on their substitute bench. Swansea City included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven for the one nil victory over visitors Huddersfield Town for whom West Ham United loanee Ademipo Odubeko was an 83rd minute substitute. Following his lengthy injury absence Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute for Bristol City who drew one each with visitors Fulham at Ashton Gate.

Anthony Scully scored the winning goal for Lincoln City who came from behind to defeat their hosts Burton Albion by two goals to one in League One. Harry Arter was withdrawn at half-time by Charlton Athletic who played out a two all draw with visitors Portsmouth for whom Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis were in action at the Valley where Curtis opened the scoring after six minutes. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott scored the only goal from the penalty spot as MK Dons overcame visitors Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan. Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Crewe Alexandra. Dennis Cirkin was in the Sunderland side for their Stadium of Light victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers and provided  the assist foe the only goal before being forced off through injury. James McClean was in action for Wigan Athletic who defeated visitors Cheltenham Town by two goals to nil.

Southampton loanee Will Ferry scored the opening goal for Crawley Town in their two one League Two victory over visitors Bradford City while Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor was an unused substitute for Tranmere Rovers who played out a scoreless draw at Forest Green Rovers.  Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was a 75th minute substitute for Salford City in their two all draw with visitors  Northampton Town. Brentford loanee Alex Gilbert was in the Swindon Town side which played out  a scoreless draw with visitors Colchester United who included Alan Judge in their side.

Ireland U21 defender Oisin McEntee, on loan from Newcastle United, was in action with Greenock Morton who played out a scoreless Scottish Championship draw at Ayr United.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Luca Connell was introduced from the Queens Park substitute bench on 65 minutes and scored  ten minutes later as his side secured a three two Scottish League One success over visitors Peterhead.

The Dutch Eredivisie featured Vitesse at home to Fortuna Sittard for whom loanee Ryan Johansson still awaits his first team debut. The sides played out a one all draw this afternoon.

 

 

 

The FAI Cup quarter-final replay between Dundalk and Finn Harps took place in  Oriel Park last Tuesday evening and saw the hosts prevail by three goals to one after extra-time.

The draw for the semi-finals was made at half-time during the St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers league match on Friday evening and  produced the following ties:-
Bohemian v Waterford and St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk with the ties scheduled  for 3pm on Saturday the 23rd October.
——————————————————————————————————————————

The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Friday evening with the meeting of the top two, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park topping the bill.  Another late late goal for the visiting ‘Hoops’ brought a one nil victory and in all likelihood  the League Title as they go nine points clear of their opponents with a match in hand. Third place Sligo Rovers travelled to Dundalk where they suffered  a four one defeat while Bohemian went down to a two one defeat by Finn Harps in Dalymount Park. Derry City defeated Longford Town by three goals to nil in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Waterford scored  the only goal to defeat Drogheda United in the RSC.

Dalymount Park hosted the re-arranged Airtricity League Premier Division contest between Bohemian and Derry City last Monday evening. A dramatic ending with two goals in added time saw the sides share the points in a thrilling three all draw.  

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts 
Shamrock Rovers        27 18  5  4  44 20   24   59
St Patrick’s Athletic  28 15  5  8  46 33   13   50
Sligo Rovers           28 13  6  9  33 24    9   45
Derry City             28 11  9  8  39 34    5   42
Bohemian               26 11  5 10  43 33   10   38
Drogheda United        28 10  7 11  40 35    5   37
Finn Harps             28 10  6 12  31 38   -7   36
Waterford              28 10  2 16  24 45  -21   32
Dundalk                27  8  7 12  33 39   -6   31
Longford Town          28  2  8 18  19 51  -32   14

Airtricity League First Division leaders Shelbourne maintained  their surge for promotion with a two nil victory at Cabinteely on Friday evening  while Galway United leapfrogged UCD to second place with a four one victory over the ‘Students’ in Eamonn Deacy Park. Fourth place Treaty United were held to a scoreless draw by Cork City in the Markets Field while Athlone Town suffered  a surprise two nil home defeat by visitors Wexford.

St Colman’s Park hosted the Saturday evening meeting of Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers  at 7pm with the visitors prevailing by two goals to one.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shelbourne             23 15  7  1  46 19   27   52
Galway United          23 12  6  5  35 21   14   42
UCD                    23 11  6  6  50 34   16   39
Treaty United          23 10  8  5  32 23    9   38
Bray Wanderers         23  9  9  5  33 24    9   36
Athlone Town           23  8  4 11  28 39  -11   28
Cork City              23  6  8  9  30 27    3   26
Cabinteely             23  7  1 15  22 40  -18   22
Cobh Ramblers          23  5  4 14  19 43  -24   19
Wexford                23  4  3 16  22 47  -25   15 

 

 

Friday
Peterborough United included Jack Taylor in their starting eleven and he was replaced on 65 minutes by West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry while Sam Szmodics was an unused  substitute for their three nil Championship defeat at Coventry City.  Callum Robinson was a 54th minute substitute for West Bromwich Albion who recovered  from the concession of a 45 second goal to defeat visitors QPR by two goals to one. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was again unused on the West Bromwich Albion substitute bench while Jimmy Dunne was in action for the defeated visitors.

Thursday
James McCarthy started and Liam Scales made his debut as a 61st minute substitute for Glasgow Celtic who defeated visitors Raith Rovers and their loanee striker Ethan Varian by three goals to nil in the quarter-final of the  Scottish League Cup. The Glasgow club will face St Johnstone in the semi-final.  Jake Doyle-Hayes started for Hibernian who beat Dundee United by three goals to one in the same competition and progress to a semi-final meeting with Glasgow Rangers.

Josh Cullen was in Belgian First Division action with RSC Anderlecht who were held to a one all draw by visitors KAA Gent.

Zac Elbouzedi was in Swedish Allsvenskan action with AIK Solna who secured  a one all draw at Kalmar FF.

Wednesday
The third round in the Carabao-EFL Cup was completed this Wednesday evening  with Aaron Connolly scoring both goals for Brighton & Hove Albion in their victory over Swansea City on the South Coast.  Teenager James Furlong was named on the home substitute bench while Ryan Manning was a half time substitute for the visitors.  Tottenham Hotspur overcame their hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers in a penalty shoot-out following a two all draw at Molineaux where Matt Doherty was again unused on the substitute bench for the contest against his former club. Darren Randolph was on the West Ham United substitute bench for the ‘Hammers’ one nil victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford which would seem to confirm his position with the ‘Hammers’ as third choice.

Tuesday
The third round in the Carabao-EFL Cup commenced this Tuesday evening  with Nathan Collins in action with Burnley who defeated League Two side Rochdale by four goals to one at Turf Moor. Daryl Horgan was a late substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who went down to a six one defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Adam Idah and Andrew Omobamidele started for Norwich City who went down to comprehensive three nil defeat by visitors Liverpool for whom Caoimhin Kelleher was in confident action including saving a penalty kick. Alan Browne was a late substitute for Preston North End who defeated Cheltenham Town by four goals to one at Deepdale with 7th minute substitute Sean Maguire scoring one of the goals. Jimmy Dunne started for QPR and converted the winning penalty for an eight seven shoot-out victory over Everton at Loftus Road after the sides played out a two all draw. Following his lengthy injury absence, Enda Stevens  started for Sheffield United and scored  after just eight minutes as the ‘Blades’ drew two each with Bramall Lane visitors Southampton before losing by four goals to two in a penalty shoot-out. Shane Long  was an unused substitute for the victors. Wigan Athletic went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Sunderland who included Dennis Cirkin and Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven.

Loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis were in the Portsmouth side which gained a point with an equalising goal from Sean Raggett in the fifth minutes of added time for a two all draw with visitors Plymouth Argyle in League One.

Southampton loanee Will Ferry and his Crawley Town colleagues were in League Two action when they played out a two all draw with visitors Harrowgate Town.

Monday
Zac Elbouzedi was again in Swedish Allsvenskan action with AIK Solna who secured  a three one victory over visitors IFK Goteborg this Monday evening.

Our senior women under the guidance of Head Coach Vera Pauw defeated Australia by three goals to two in a friendly international played in Tallaght Stadium this Tuesday evening.  Ireland got off to a dream start with the opening goal coming after just three minutes from a free kick converted by debutant Lucy Quinn. The visitors equalised on fourteen minutes following a dreadful error by goalkeeper Brosnan. Ireland regained the lead on twenty three minutes when Denise O’Sullivan‘s shot took a huge deflection and entered  the net.   It was a case of ‘deja vu’  just seconds before the half-time break when the visitors equalised  following another huge deflection. Ireland took the lead for the third time four minutes into the second half when Louise Quinn scored  with a diving header following a free kick delivery. This time the Irish defence stood firm and played out the remaining forty plus minutes in a confident and solid fashion.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Jamie Finn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C), Heather Payne, Amber Barrett, Lucy Quinn
Substitutes:
Niamh Farrelly for Barrett 60′
Emily Whelan for Lucy Quinn 72′
Diane Caldwell for Finn 90′
Leanne Kiernan for Payne 90′

Squad
Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Isibeal Atkinson (Glasgow Celtic), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Rianna Jarrett London City Lionesses), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City)