News

Monday
Already assured of promotion, Fulham secured the Championship title when they crushed visitors Luton Town by seven goals to nil on Monday afternoon.  The visitors, for whom Peter Kioso was a 31st minute substitute, are currently in sixth position and not yet guaranteed a play-off place. They now face a dramatic finale when they host Reading at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon. 

Tuesday
Liverpool and Caoimhin Kelleher travelled to Spain where they  faced Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with a two nil advantage from the first leg at Anfield last week. The ‘Reds’ were unusually lethargic in the first half and found their two goal lead wiped out before the break. There was significant second half improvement and a three goal salvo midway through the half improved their initial advantage and ensured their presence in a third cup final this season.   

There was a crucial Championship contest played in the Vitality Stadium with hosts AFC Bournemouth scoring the only goal to defeat third place Nottingham Forest and secure second place and promotion to the Premier League. The ‘Cherries’ included Mark Travers in their starting eleven while Robbie Brady was an unused  substitute. 

Thursday
The first leg in the first League One semi-final play-off took place in Adams Park on Thursday evening with Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan defeating MK Dons and their trio of Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott by two goals to nil..

Friday
The first leg in the second League One semi-final play-off took place in the Stadium of Light on Friday evening with Sunderland defeating Sheffield Wednesday by one goal to nil. Denis Cirkin was in the ‘Makems’ starting eleven while veteran Aiden McGeady was unused on the  substitute bench. 

 

 

Saturday
St James Park hosted the Premier League meeting of much improved Newcastle United and second place Liverpool at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon with Caoimhin Kelleher named on the visitors substitute bench. Liverpool won with the only goal to go top of the table by two points from Manchester City who played later in the day and secured  a four nil victory at Leeds United to regain their lead at the summit. Shane Long started with Will Smallbone on the Southampton substitute bench for the visit of Crystal Palace which saw the ‘Eagles’ recover from conceding an early goal to secure a two one victory. Relegation rivals Watford and Burnley met at Vicarage Road where Nathan Collins started for the ‘Clarets’ who also came from behind to record  a two one victory and boost their survival hopes. Kevin Long and nineteen year old midfielder Dara Costelloe were unused on the bench. Wolverhampton Wanderers went down to an unexpected  three nil defeat by visitors Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Shane Duffy returned to the matchday squad following his injury absence and was joined by young Evan Ferguson on the substitute bench.

Following Sheffield United’s win last night, the battle for the Championship promotion play-off places continued this afternoon with Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan playing host to second place AFC Bournemouth who included Mark Travers in their starting eleven with Robbie Brady unused on the substitute bench as the ‘Cherries’ recorded  a three nil success to consolidate their second place position. Loanee Aaron Connolly was an unused substitute for Middlesbrough who defeated visitors Stoke City by three goals to one to maintain their push for the play-offs. Millwall and Dan McNamara defeated already relegated Peterborough United and their duo of Sam Szmodics and Jack Taylor by three goals to nil at the New Den.  In form Nottingham Forest ran riot in the second half to crush  Swansea City by five goals to one. Loanee Cyrus Christie conceded an own goal while Michael Obafemi scored the ‘Swans’ goal and Ryan Manning was withdrawn on 57 minutes. Also in action were Preston North End who named Alan Browne in their starting eleven with Sean Maguire a late substitute and Greg Cunningham unused on the bench as they secured  a three one victory at relegated Barnsley. The third relegated club Derby County and their Irish quartet of Jason Knight, Festy Ebosele, Eiran Cashin and Louie Watson were on an away day at Blackpool who include the veteran Richard Keogh in their starting eleven as the visiting ‘Rams’ secured  a two nil victory. West Bromwich Albion named Dara O’Shea and Jayson Molumby, whose permanent transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion was confirmed this week, in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 72nd minute substitute for their one nil victory at Reading.

The regular League One season reached it’s climax today with all matches kicking-off at 12.30pm. Wigan Athletic confirmed  their promotion as champions with Will Keane scoring twice in their three nil victory at Shrewsbury Town. Rotherham United take  second place following their two nil victory at Gillingham. Chiedoze Ogbene started while Georgie Kelly made his debut from the bench on 80 minutes and scored  the decisive second goa nine minutes later. Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute for the victors. Third place MK Dons confirmed  their position with a five nil thrashing of their hosts Plymouth Argyle who were reduced to ten men just before the break and then found themselves overtaken by Wycombe Wanderers for the final play-off place.  Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott all started for the ‘Dons’. Sheffield Wednesday defeated visitors Portsmouth by four goals to one to confirm their play-off position. ‘Pompey’ included loanee Gavin Bazunu in their starting eleven  together with Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett while loanee Aiden O’Brien was a 64th minute substitute with Shaun Williams unused  on the bench. Sunderland secured  a one nil victory at Morecambe to ensure their play-off spot. Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan started the day outside the play-off place in seventh position on goal difference but their two one victory at Burton Albion saw them leapfrog Plymouth Argyle and secure a play-off place. 

Sunday
Relegation threatened Everton and Seamus Coleman played host to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon and emerged victorious with a one nil success which lifts their survival hopes.

There was a noon kick-off for the titanic Scottish Premiership clash of Glasgow duo Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead where the visitors almost certainly needed victory to maintain realistic hope of overtaking their bitter rivals at the summit. The contest ended in a one all draw which leaves the leaders six points clear with three fixtures remaining. James McCarthy was an unused  substitute for the hosts.

Josh Cullen was on now customary midfield duty for RSC Anderlecht who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Club Bruges in the Belgian First Division at 5.30pm.

AIK Solna included Zack Elbouzedi in their starting eleven for their two nil  Swedish Allsvenskan victory at GIF Sundsvall.

 

 

All ten Airtricity League Premier Division clubs were in action on Friday evening with leaders Derry City sending out a loud signal of intent with a four nil victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park. Second place Shamrock Rovers were held to a one all draw by Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds while Dundalk climbed up to third place with a four one victory over Louth rivals Drogheda United in Oriel Park. Bohemian defeated UCD by three goals to nil in Dalymount Park while Finn Harps scored the only goal in the dying minutes to defeat visitors Shelbourne in Finn Park. 

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Derry City             13  9  3  1  28 10   18   30
Shamrock Rovers        13  8  3  2  21  9   12   27
Dundalk                13  5  6  2  18 10    8   21
Sligo Rovers           13  5  5  3  18 13    5   20
St Patrick’s Athletic  13  6  2  5  15 12    3   20
Bohemian               13  4  6  3  19 15    4   18
Drogheda United        13  3  4  6  16 24   -8   13
Shelbourne             13  3  3  7  10 19   -9   12
Finn Harps             13  2  4  7  11 21  -10   10
UCD                    13  0  4  9   7 30  -23    4

 

There were four Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Friday evening with leaders Cork City defeating visitors Longford Town by four goals to one in Turner’s Cross. Second place Galway United recovered from a two goal deficit to defeat their hosts Treaty United by three goals to two in the Market’s Field. Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers shared two goals in the Carlisle Grounds while Wexford defeated their hosts Athlone Town by three goals to nil.

Match Series 14 in the Airtricity League First Division took place on Bank Holiday Monday with leaders Cork City defeating visitors Treaty United by three goals to nil while second place Galway United secured  a two nil victory over visitors Longford Town. Third place Waterford scored  the only goal to defeat bottom side Athlone Town while Wexford and Bray Wanderers shared two goals in Ferrycarrig Park.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Cork City              13 10  2  1  31  6   25   32
Galway United          12  9  2  1  21 10   11   29
Waterford              12  6  2  4  20 13    7   20
Longford Town          11  5  3  3  14 11    3   18
Treaty United          12  4  4  4  15 16   -1   16
Wexford                13  4  3  6  17 22   -5   15
Bray Wanderers         13  2  6  5   8 18  -10   12
Cobh Ramblers          12  2  2  8  13 25  -12    8
Athlone Town           12  0  2 10  11 29  -18    2

 

Monday
There was Championship action at Deepdale on Monday evening with Preston North End going down to a crushing four one defeat by near neighbours Blackburn Rovers. Respective club captains Alan Browne for the hosts and Darragh Lenihan for the visitors were both on the scoresheet.

Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with Swansea City entertaining AFC Bournemouth. The hosts include Ryan Manning, Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven and took a three goal lead before the visitors responded with three of their own to secure a point. Mark Travers started and Robbie Brady was a 65th minute substitute for the ‘Cherries’.

League One promotion chasing Wigan Athletic and Will Keane went down to a three two defeat at Portsmouth where they encountered the Irish sextet of loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with  Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness, Sean Raggett and Shaun Williams with substitute O’Brien scoring the winning goal while Keane scored  for the ‘Latics’. The Stadium of Light hosted the meeting of promotion contenders Sunderland and Rotherham United which ended  in a one all draw. Chiedoze Ogbene was in action for the ‘Millers’ while Joshua Kayode and Georgie Kelly were unused substitutes.  

Wednesday
Anfield hosted the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Spanish side Villarreal which the hosts won comfortably by two goals to nil.  Caoimhin Kelleher was included on the bench for the hosts.

The Riverside Stadium hosted the Championship clash of Middlesbrough and Cardiff City with the hosts emerging victorious by two goals to nil. Loanee Aaron Connolly was a 76th minute substitute for the victors while James Collins was introduced by the visitors on 80 minutes while Mark McGuinness was an unused substitute.

Thursday
West Ham United went down to a two one defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt in their home first leg of the Europa League semi-final with veteran Darren Randolph named on the substitute bench. 

Friday
The Championship continued on Friday evening with promotion play-off hopefuls Sheffield United coming from behind to defeat hosts QPR by three goals to one. Jimmy Dunne started with loanee Jeff Hendrick on the home bench where he was joined by 20 year old goalkeeper Harry Halwax while John Egan and Enda Stevens started for the visitors with loanee Conor Hourihane introduced from the substitute bench in the second minute of added time and scoring the decisive third goal with his first touch two minutes later.

Ireland U21 defender Oisin McEntee started for loan club Greenock Morton who went down to a three nil defeat at Arbroath in the Scottish Championship while another loanee Ethan Varian was a 40th minute substitute for Raith Rovers who played out a one all draw with visitors Kilmarnock. 

 

Sunday
The Premier League meeting of Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton at the AMEX Stadium ended in a two all draw with the visitors recovering from a two goal deficit to take a point. Teenage striker Evan Ferguson was unused on the substitute bench alongside Shane Duffy for the hosts. Shane Long started for the visiting ‘Saints’. Burnley continued their fight to avoid relegation with a one nil victory over visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers with Nathan Collins in their starting eleven while Kevin Long was a late substitute with nineteen year old Dara Costelloe unused on the bench. The Merseyside Derby had serious implications for both sides with Liverpool and Caoimhin Kelleher focussed on the title while Seamus Coleman with visitors Everton is involved in a desperate battle against relegation. Everton, despite a valiant effort, went down to a two nil defeat.  

Glasgow Celtic maintained  their leadership of the Scottish Premiership with a two nil victory at Ross County where Liam Scales and James McCarthy were unused on the substitute bench.

Zack Elbouzedi was in the AIK Solna starting eleven for their one nil Swedish Allsvenskan victory over visitors Djurgardens IF.

Saturday
Scott Hogan was an unused substitute for Birmingham City who played out a two all draw with Millwall and Danny McNamara at St Andrew’s in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. Mark Travers started with Robbie Brady an unused  substitute for second place AFC Bournemouth  who scored  a late equalised  to secure a one all draw with already promoted  visitors Fulham. Relegated Derby County included Louie Watson in their starting eleven while Jason Knight was a very late substitute as they went down to a three one defeat by visitors Bristol City for whom Max O’Leary was an unused substitute.  Hull City and Sean McLoughlin defeated visitors Reading by three goals to nil while Peterborough United duo Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics started the the one nil defeat by high flying visitors Nottingham Forest which spelled  relegation for the ‘Posh’. A jittery Sheffield United included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven with loanee Conor Hourihane unused on their bench  for their one nil victory over similarly unpredictable Cardiff City who included Joel Bagan in their starting eleven with Mark McGuinness a half time substitute. Stoke City scored  the only goal to defeat visitors QPR who included Keiren Westwood and Jimmy Dunne in their starting eleven while loanee Jeff Hendrick was an unused substitute. Michael Obafemi scored the goal for Swansea City which secured  a one all draw with visitors Middlesbrough for whom loanee Aaron Connolly was a 65th minute substitute while Ryan Manning and loanee Cyrus Christie started for the hosts. West Bromwich Albion included Dara O’Shea and loanee Jayson Molumby  in their side for the scoreless draw with visitors Coventry City while Callum Robinson was introduced from the bench in the second minute of added time and won a penalty which was missed.

Anthony Scully was  a 33rd minute substitute for Lincoln City who went down to a two one defeat at Accrington Stanley in League One. Following their midweek defeat MK Dons trio Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott  returned to winning ways wwith a two nil victory over visitors Morecambe. Portsmouth included  loanee Gavin Bazunu together with Sean Raggett, Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness in their starting eleven for their three one victory over visitors Gillingham with Curtis scoring twice in the opening half. Rotherham United and Oxford United featured  Chiedoze Ogbene in action against Mark Sykes and Luke McNally while Joshua Kayode and recent signing Georgie Kelly were on the home bench as they secured  a two one success. Wigan Athletic and Will Keane kept up their  promotion challenge with a one all draw against another challenger Plymouth Argyle. Two more sides in the promotion chasing mix met in Adams Park where Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan defeated visitors Sheffield Wednesday by one goal to nil.

Jake Carroll and Ross Tierney both started  for Motherwell who went down to a three one Scottish Premiership defeat by visitors Glasgow Rangers with Tierney scoring their goal from an assist by Carroll. Loanee Connor Ronan was in action with St Mirren who suffered  a one nil defeat by visitors Hibernian for whom Jake Doyle-Hayes was in midfield action.

Loanee Ethan Varian was a 75th minute substitute for Raith Rovers in their two nil Scottish Championship victory at Hamilton Academical while another loanee Oisin McEntee was in action for Greenock Morton who suffered  a one nil defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

 

There were four fixtures played  on Friday evening in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Bitter Dublin rivals Bohemian and Shamrock Rovers met in Dalymount Park where the ‘Hoops’ ran out three one winners. Current leaders Derry City crushed UCD by seven goals to one in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Dundalk overcame Shelbourne by two goals to one in Oriel Park while St Patrick’s Athletic defeated Finn Harps by two goals to nil in Richmond Park.

The Showgrounds hosted the Saturday evening meeting of Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United where the home side scored twice in the opening three minutes before being pegged back to two each while also missing a penalty. The visitors were reduced  to ten men on 55 minutes and clung on valiantly until the second minute of added time when they suffered heartbreak by conceding the winning goal.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Derry City             12  8  3  1  24 10   14   27
Shamrock Rovers        12  8  2  2  20  8   12   26
St Patrick’s Athletic  12  6  2  4  15  8    7   20
Sligo Rovers           12  5  4  3  17 12    5   19
Dundalk                12  4  6  2  14  9    5   18
Bohemian               12  3  6  3  16 15    1   15
Drogheda United        12  3  4  5  15 20   -5   13
Shelbourne             12  3  3  6  10 18   -8   12
Finn Harps             12  1  4  7  10 21  -11    7
UCD                    12  0  4  8   7 27  -20    4

 

There were three Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Friday evening with leaders Cork City travelling to face local rivals Cobh Ramblers in St Colman’s Park where they emerged victorious by three goals to two. Galway United defeated Bray Wanderers by two goals to nil in Eamonn Deacy Park. Ferrycarrig Park hosted the South East Derby meeting of Wexford and Waterford which the visitors won by two goals to nil. 

Longford Town played out a scoreless draw with Treaty United in Bishopsgate on Saturday evening.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Cork City              11  8  2  1  24  5   19   26
Galway United          10  7  2  1  16  8    8   23
Waterford              11  5  2  4  19 13    6   17
Treaty United          10  4  4  2  13 10    3   16
Longford Town           8  4  3  1  11  5    6   15
Wexford                11  3  2  6  13 21   -8   11
Bray Wanderers         11  2  4  5   6 16  -10   10
Cobh Ramblers          10  2  1  7  12 22  -10    7
Athlone Town           10  0  2  8  11 25  -14    2

 

                       

Saturday

Tuesday
Caoimhin Kelleher was on substitute duty for Liverpool who maintained their Premier League challenge with a four nil defeat of an insipid Manchester United at Anfield this Tuesday evening. The victory sees Liverpool go top but Manchester City can leapfrog them when they play their match in hand against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Fulham confirmed  their promotion from the Championship with a three nil victory over Preston North End at Craven Cottage where Sean Maguire was a 25th minute substitute for the visitors.

There was League One disappointment for Chiedoze Ogbene and Rotherham United who suffered a two nil defeat at Burton Albion where Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute for the ‘Millers’. Will Keane scored both goals for Wigan Athletic who came from behind to secure a two all draw at Ipswich Town.  Luke McNally and Mark Sykes both started for Oxford United who defeated fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons by one goal top nil. Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott were in the visitors starting eleven. 

Wednesday
Captain Seamus Coleman was in Premier League action for Everton who scored an added time equaliser to earn a point from a one all draw with Goodison Park visitors Leicester City. Teenager Evan Ferguson was again included on the Brighton & Hove Albion substitute bench for their two nil defeat at Manchester City.

Zack Elbouzedi was in action for AIK Solna who secured a one nil victory over visitors Varbergs BoLS in the Swedish Allsvenskan.

Thursday
Nathan Collins was in Premier League action with Burnley and scored in their two nil victory over visitors Southampton at Turf Moor. Fellow defender Kevin Long was again on the substitute bench where he was joined for the first time by nineteen year old attacking midfielder Dara Costelloe the former Galway United player who hails from Limerick. Shane Long was an unused substitute for the defeated ‘Saints’.