News

Friday
Joint leaders St Patrick’s Athletic secured  a convincing three nil victory over  Longford Town at Richmond Park this Friday evening in the Airtricity League Premier Division.  At the same time, Drogheda United played out a one all draw with visitors Sligo Rovers. Later in the evening the other joint leader Shamrock Rovers took all three points with a two nil victory over Finn Harps in Ballybofey.  Bohemian went down to a disappointing two one home defeat by Derry City in Dalymount Park and Waterford lost by three goals to nil  against  improving  Dundalk in the RSC.

There were four Airtricity League First Division fixtures played this Friday evening with current leaders Athlone Town going down to a two one home defeat by visitors Cabinteely,  Bray Wanderers and Cork City played ouit a scoreless draw in the Carlisle Grounds, Shelbourne were held to a two all draw by newcomers Treaty United in Tolka Park. Wexford were crushed six nil by visitors UCD in Ferrycarrig Park having had goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran dismissed in the very first minute of the contest .

Saturday
The remaining Airtricity League First Division fixture between Cobh Ramblers and Galway United took place in St Colman’s Park  on Saturday evening and saw the visitors secure a comprehensive four nil victory.

Head Coach Vera Pauw and the Republic of Ireland Senior Women now know the challenge which awaits them as they seek to qualify for the finals of the 2023 World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.  There are nine qualifying groups with each group winner qualifying for the finals as will the best runner-up from those nine groups. The remaining eight runners-up will play-off to determine the final four qualifiers.

Ireland were among the Pot Three Seeds and have been drawn in Group A .

1 Sweden
2 Finland
3 Republic of Ireland
4 Slovakia
5 Georgia

 

Friday
Young Will Ferry was an unused substitute for Southampton who played out a one all Premier League draw with visitors Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium this Friday evening despite being reduced to ten men following the dismissal of centre back Vestergaard after just 10 minutes.  Michael Obafemi, who has returned to training following his lengthy injury absence, was not included in the matchday squad.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was an unused substitute for Dundee who secured a two nil success at  Queen of the South in the Scottish Championship on Friday evening. Also in action was Aaron McEneff  for Heart of Midlothian who defeated hosts Raith Rovers by four goals to nil.

Thursday
Queens Park, who won at Stirling Albion on Tuesday evening,  were again in Scottish League Two action when they defeated visitors Edinburgh City by two goals to nil this Thursday evening.  Glasgow Celtic loanee Luca Connell was again in midfield action for the hosts and scored  the second goal. 

Tuesday
Chiedozie Ogbene started for Rotherham United who went down to a one nil defeat by hosts Brentford  in the Championship with Ogbene  withdrawn on 76 minutes.

Senior international Ronan Curtis and recent declaree Marcus Harness were in League One action with promotion chasing Portsmouth who recovered from a two goal deficit to level matters at Accrington Stanley and then took the lead before their hosts equalised in the seventh minutes of added time for a three all draw.  Also on the road were Brian Barry Murphy‘s Rochdale who journied to AFC Wimbledon.  The ‘Dale’ named Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu on their substitute bench while Conor Grant, Eoghan O’Connell,  Jimmy Keohane and Conor Shaughnessy all started.  The ‘Dale’ took a two goal lead but were pegged back before Keohane scored to restore the lead but the hosts came up with a late equaliser.  Midfielder Jack Taylor and his promotion chasing Peterborough United colleagues took a two goal London Road lead against visitors Doncaster Rovers but the visitors fought back to level matters.  Anthony Scully was introduced from the substitute bench  for Lincoln City on 33 minutes at Shrewsbury Town where they prevailed by one goal to nil.  Goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was restored  to the Burton Albion starting eleven  and they crushed visitors Fleetwood Town by five goals to two.

U21 striker Joshua Kayode, on loan from Rotherham United,  and his Carlisle United colleagues travelled to face leaders Cheltenham Town in League Two where Kayode gave the visitors the lead on 33 minutes but the hosts equalised to share the points .

Queens Park included Glasgow Celtic loanee Luca Connell in their starting eleven for the Scottish League Two visit to Stirling Albion. Connell  provided  the assist for the second goal as his side prevailed by two goals to one.

Monday
FA Cup finalists Leicester City came from behind  to defeat Crystal Palace by two goals to one in the Premier League this Monday evening  to consolidate their third place position. The visiting ‘Eagles’ introduced the fit again James McCarthy from their substitute bench on 83 minutes.

The Rugby Park meeting of Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the Scottish Cup Quarter-Final had the feel of an Irish convention. The visiting ‘Buddies’ progressed to a semi-final meeting with St Johnstone with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success after the sides shared six goals after extra-time. The hosts included Colin Doyle and Alan Power in their starting eleven with Gary Dicker introduced from the substitute bench on 90 minutes while Danny Rogers and Callum Waters were unused substitutes. The visitors,  managed by Jim Goodwin,  named  Jamie McGrath, Conor McCarthy,  Joe Shaughnessy and Jake Doyle-Hayes in their starting eleven. McGrath provided the assists for the first two St Mirren goals, one of which was scored by Shaughnessy and scored the third himself from the penalty spot in the final minute of extra-time.  McGrath then converted his shoot out penalty as did  Shaughnessy while Dicker converted for Kilmarnock .

 

 

Sunday
The Premier League continued at noon on Sunday with Wolverhampton Wanderers  crashing to a four nil defeat by visitors Burnley at Molineaux.  The visiting ‘Clarets’ included Jimmy Dunne on their substitute bench but injury ruled out  Kevin Long and Robbie Brady who is likely to be out for the remainder of the season. The ‘Midlands Derby’ meeting of Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion is scheduled for 7pm with Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in the visiting ‘Baggies’ matchday squad.

There was also a noon kick-off  for the Championship contest between Reading and Swansea City which ended in a two all draw.  Aston Villa loanee  Conor Hourihane was in action for the visiting ‘Swans’.  Later at 1pm, Bristol City played host to Luton Town  at Ashton Gate where the hosts led by two goals to nil at half-time.  James Collins was introduced from the ‘Hatters’ bench for the second half and scored on 59 minutes. His side followed this with two further goals for a three two victory.

Saturday
First into Premier League action on Saturday afternoon were Liverpool and Newcastle United who played out a one all draw at Anfield. The visiting ‘Magpies’ included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven  but he was withdrawn on 64 minutes while  Jeff Hendrick  was unused on their substitute bench.  Conor Coventry and Ademipo Odubeko together with fit again Darren Randolph were unused substitutes for  West Ham United who went down to a one nil defeat by  Chelsea at the London Stadium. Relegated Sheffield United included  John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven  together with David McGoldrick who scored the only goal after 19 minutes for victory over visitors  Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Aaron Connolly was a 67th minute substitute.

Promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth and Brentford locked Championship  horns in the Vitality Stadium at 12.30pm with the visiting ‘Bees’ securing a one nil success. Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were unused on the bench for the host ‘Cherries’.  Darragh Lenihan and Blackburn Rovers defeated Huddersfield Town and Richard Keogh by five goals to two at Ewood Park. Daryl Horgan was an unused substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who went down to two one defeat at Mick McCarthy‘s Cardiff City. Alan Browne, scored  the only goal from the penalty spot for Preston North End at Coventry City where Sean Maguire started and was withdrawn on 66 minutes while loanees  Greg Cunningham and  Jayson Molumby were unused substitutes.  Jason Knight started while Festy Ebosole and Louie Watson were unused substitutes for struggling Derby County who went down to a two one home defeat by Birmingham City.   Keiren Westwood started for Sheffield Wednesday who suffered  a three one defeat at Middlesbrough.  Loanee Cyrus Christie was in action  for Nottingham Forest who played out a one all draw with visitors  Stoke City.  Teenage centre back Andrew Omobamidele was in the Norwich City side which secured  a three one victory at QPR.  Young Danny McNamara started for Millwall whio went down to a one nil defeat at  Watford, a result which guaranteed promotion for the ‘Hornets’.   f

The battle for promotion continued at the summit of League One with Hull City securing the first slot with a two one victory at Lincoln City who included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven. Ronan Curtis scored  the only goal for Portsmouth to secure victory over visitors Bristol Rovers while Jack Taylor was in midfield action for Peterborough United who defeated hosts Charlton Athletic with the only goal at The Valley. Ipswich Town stumbled again as they were held to a scoreless draw by AFC Wimbledon at Portman Road.  The veteran Stephen Ward and Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness  were in defence for the ‘Tractor Boys’ while Aaron Drinan was a 68th minute substitute.

Rotherham United loanee Joshua Kayode scored  the Carlisle United goal in their one all draw with  League Two visitors Harrowgate Town.  Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was in action with Walsall who defeated their hosts Scunthorpe United and Mason O’Malley by two goals to nil.  Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor was in action with Tranmere Rovers who defeated visitors Barrow by one goal to nil.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was an unused substitute for Dundee  who secure  a two one Scottish Championship victory over visitors Raith Rovers.  Aaron McEneff scored  for Heart of Midlothian in their three nil victory over visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 

 

Saturday
The three remaining Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures took place on Saturday evening. The ‘Louth Derby’ went the way of hosts Dundalk with a two one victory over Drogheda United in Oriel Park. There was a successful start for new Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins whose side secured  a one nil victory over a very poor Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds. Waterford, who defeated visitors Longford Town with the only goal in the RSC, have also been embroiled in managerial disruption following misinformation surrounding the reported departure of Kevin Sheedy and Mike Newall.

The remaining Airtricity League First Division fixture between Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers ended in a one all draw at St Colman’s Park this Saturday evening.

Friday
Joint leaders Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic continued their winning ways in the Airtricity League Premier Division this Friday evening. The ‘Hoops’ scored  a hotly contested late penalty for a two one victory over Dublin rivals Bohemian while the ‘Saints’ travelled to fourth place Finn Harps where they carved out a fine two nil victory.

There were four Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Friday evening. Early leaders Athlone Town extended their lead at the summit with a three nil home victory over bottom side Wexford.  Shelbourne climber to second place with a three one success over Cabinteely at Stradbrook. Galway United and UCD shared four goals in Eamonn Deacy Park while newcomers Treaty United defeated visitors Cork City by two goals to one in the Markets Field.

 

 

 

Friday
The Premier League continued on Friday evening with Everton and Seamus Coleman continuing their challenge for a top six spot with a one nil victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

Ireland U21 midfielder Luca Connell, who is on loan from Glasgow Celtic, was a 65th minute substitute for runaway leaders Queens Park who went down to a surprise one nil home defeat by Stranraer in the Scottish League Two 

Thursday
FA Cup finalists Leicester City returned to Premier League action with a comprehensive three nil defeat of visitors West Bromwich Albion this Thursday evening. The ‘Foxes’ were utterly dominant in the first half, scoring all three goals which might, indeed should, have been six. The visiting ‘Baggies’ included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven with Robinson withdrawn at half-time and replaced with a central defender in an effort to stem the goal flow.

Wednesday
Following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur have placed 28 year old Ryan Mason in charge for the remainder of the season and he saw his side come from behind to secure a two one victory in this evening’s Premier League encounter with visitors Southampton. Matt Doherty was again not in the home matchday squad while Will Ferry was an unused substitute for the visiting ‘Saints’.

Millwall included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven for the Championship visit of promotion chasing AFC Bournemouth who won by four goals to one and move up to third place on the league table. Mark Travers was unused on their substitute bench but there was no place for Gavin Kilkenny and loanee Shane Long in their matchday squad. Daryl Horgan was a 74th minute substitute  for Wycombe Wanderers who came from behind to defeat visitors Bristol City by two goals to one. Scott Hogan was forced off through injury after 19 minutes as his Birmingham City were held to a one all draw by visitors Nottingham Forest and loanee Cyrus Christie at St Andrew’s. Chris Hughton‘s side equalised from the penalty spot in the 8th minute of added time. Weekend substitute and match winner James Collins was an 83rd minute substitute for Luton Town who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Reading at Kenilworth Road.

Jamie McGrath scored an added time penalty for St Mirren in their three one Scottish Premiership victory at Ross County.

Tuesday
Already promoted Norwich City went down to a second Championship defeat in four days when second place Watford scored  the only goal at Carrow Road this evening. Eighteen year old Andrew Omobamidele was again in central defence for the host ‘Canaries’. Preston North End included Alan Brown and Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven while Sean Maguire and loanee Jayson Molumby were added time substitutes  as the ‘Lilywhites’ defeated visitors Derby County by three goals to nil. Jason Knight started for the visiting ‘Rams’ but was withdrawn at half-time while Festy Ebosele was a 77th minute substitute with Louie Watson unused on the bench. Keiren Westwood started and Ciaran Brennan was an unused substitute for Sheffield Wednesday who defeated visitors Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan by one goal to nil at Hillsborough. Loanee Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning were unused substitutes for Swansea City who went down to the only goal from visitors QPR.

League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness in their starting eleven with Curtis scoring their goal in a surprise three one defeat at Swindon Town. Kieran O’Hara was an unused substitute for Burton Albion who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Lincoln City and Anthony Scully. Ipswich Town included Stephen Ward and loanee Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven while Aaron Drinan was a 67th minute substitute as they went down to a three nil defeat at Northampton Town with Dublin born right back Peter Kioso scoring twice for the victors. Loanee Gavin Bazunu was again on the substitute bench for Rochdale while Conor Grant started alongside Eoghan O’Connell, Paul McShane and Jimmy Keohane in their one nil victory over visitors Blackpool. Jack Taylor and Peterborough United suffered a setback to their promotion push with a one nil defeat by visitors Gillingham.

Loanee Jason Kayode was in the Carlisle United side for their one nil League Two defdeat at Bolton Wanderers for whom Eoin Doyle scored the winning goal. Fellow loanee Lee O’Connor and Tranmere Rovers secured a one nil victory at Bradford City while another loanee Tyreik Wright was a 65th minute substitute for Walsall who suffered a two nil home defeat by Salford City.

Loanee Jonathan Afolabi started for Dundee but was withdrawn at half-time in their one all draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship while Aaron McEneff was withdrawn on 77 minutes by Heart of Midlothian who played out a scoreless draw at  Greenock Morton.

All ten Airtricity League Premier Division clubs were in action  this Tuesday evening. Bohemian went down to a three one defeat by Sligo Rovers in Dalymount Park while bottom sides Derry City and Dundalk played out a one all draw in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Drogheda United lost to the only goal for Shamrock Rovers while Longford Town and Finn Harps played out a scoreless draw in Bishopsgate. Current joint leaders St Patrick’s Athletic were one nil victors over Waterford in Richmond Park.

 

 

Sunday
Leicester City are through to the FA Cup Final following their one nil victory over Southampton at Wembley Stadium early this Sunday evening. The ‘Foxes’ were deserved winners in front of a crowd of  4,000 and will return to Wembley to face Chelsea in the final on Saturday the 15th May 2021. The ‘Saints’ included young Will Ferry on their substitute bench.

There was Premier League action at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon with Manchester United defeating visitors Burnley by three goals to one. Jimmy Dunne was in the matchday squad but both Robbie Brady and Kevin Long remain on the ‘Clarets’ injury list.

The Scottish Cup Round of 16 clash between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic ended in a two nil success for the hosts at Ibrox Park. Loanee Shane Duffy was not included in the ‘Hoops’ matchday squad. The loan move to Glasgow has certainly not worked out for the Derryman. 

There was a noon kick-off for the Championship meeting of Rotherham United and Birmingham City with Kieran Sadlier and Chiedozie Ogbenne unused on the host substitute bench while Scott Hogan was introduced from the visiting ‘Blues’ bench in added time as they ran out one nil victors.

Josh Cullen was on the RSC Anderlecht substitute bench for the one nil Belgian First Division victory at Sint-Truidense VV this Sunday afternoon.

Saturday
First into Premier League action at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon were relegation threatened Newcastle United and vibrant West Ham United who met in St James Park. The hosts included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven with Jeff Hendrick unused on their substitute bench while Conor Coventry was an unused substitute for the visiting ‘Hammers’. The hosts ultimately won the contest by three goals to two following two calamitous errors by the visitors, one of which saw them reduced to ten men. They did fight back to level matters but swiftly conceded the third and winning goal. The late evening kick-off saw the relegation of Sheffield United confirmed as they suffered a one nil defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The ‘Blades’  included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven.

Young Danny McNamara and his Millwall colleagues journied across London where they played out a scoreless draw with hosts Brentford in the Championship. Luton Town introduced James Collins from their substitute bench on 77 minutes to replace a colleague who had just been injured in an incident which resulted in a penalty kick. Collins then converted the penalty for the only goal and victory over near neighbours and promotion candidates Watford at Kenilworth Road. Nottingham Forest and Cyrus Christie  went down to a surprise two nil home defeat by Huddersfield Town and the veteran Richard Keogh. Relegation threatened Sheffield Wednesday and Keiren Westwood were held to a one all draw by Bristol City at Hillsborough where young Ciaran Brennan was an unused substitute for the ‘Owls’. Stoke City played out a scoreless draw with visitors Preston North End who included Alan Browne and fit again Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven while Sean Maguire was a 76th minute substitute but loanee Jayson Molumby remained unused on their substitute bench. Promotion play-off candidates Swansea City included loanee Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning in their starting eleven as they recovered from a two goal deficit to earn a point from a two all draw with visitors Wycombe Wanderers. Daryl Horgan  was a 74th minute substitute for the visitors while Hourihane was withdrawn by the ‘Swans’ on 54 minutes. Norwich City whose promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed by earlier results today went down to a three one defeat by visitors AFC Bournemouth. Young Andrew Omobamidele was in the ‘Canaries’ starting eleven while Mark Travers was on the substitute bench for the visiting ‘Cherries’.

Promotion play-off chasers Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven and he scored  the only goal after 16 minutes for victory in their League One encounter at Bristol Rovers. Fellow play-off candidates Ipswich Town travelled to Charlton Athletic where Stephen Ward, and loanee Mark McGuinness both started in their scoreless draw. Alan Judge was excluded from the squad and will not play in the remainder of the season as he has now played 29 matches and one more would trigger an automatic one year renewal of his contract. Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness were in the Portsmouth squad which went down to a one nil defeat at MK Dons as they too seek promotion from this division. Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu was again confined to bench duty with Rochdale but Conor Grant, Eoghan O’Connell, Paul McShane and Jimmy Keohane all started the three one victory over visitors Accrington Stanley. Keohane scored the opening goal on 10 minutes while 88th minute substitute Conor Shaughnessy added the third in injury time. 

Joshua Kayode, given a three year contact by parent club Rotherham United earlier this week, was a 52nd minute substitute for loan club Carlisle United who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Port Vale in League Two. Fellow loanee Lee O’Connor was in the Tranmere Rovers side as they also played out a scoreless draw with visitors  Salford City. Another loanee Tyreik Wilson started for Walsall who went down to a two one defeat at Colchester United later today.

There were three Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures played this Saturday evening. Struggling Dundalk scored  a late equaliser to earn a point against joint leaders St Patrick’s Athletic in Oriel Park. Defending champions Shamrock Rovers scored in added time to defeat newly promoted Longford Town by two goals to one in Tallaght Stadium. Sligo Rovers scored the only goal to defeat Finn Harps in the Showgrounds.