News

Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny is forced to make at least one change to his starting eleven for the meeting with Luxembourg in the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm this Saturday evening. Injury rules out Aaron Connolly who has returned to his club Brighton & Hove Albion and will not be available for next week’s encounter with Qatar.

 

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Ireland lose to Serbia this Wednesday evening…24/03/2021
Our 2022 World Cup qualification campaign got off to a disappointing start with a three two defeat by Serbia in Belgrade this Wednesday evening. A very new and youthful starting eleven did adopt a 3-5-2 formation which functioned reasonably well for the majority of the first half. Ireland started quite brightly, forcing two corners in the opening minutes but they came to nothing. The hosts responded with a series of corners of their own but they too proved fruitless. Ireland stunned the hosts with the opening goal after 18 minutes . Some fine build up play involving Matt Doherty, Alan Brown and Enda Stevens saw the ball directed to Callum Robinson who delivered an excellent cross which was powered to the net by Brown who had made his run from near the halfway line. Ireland continued to play some neat possession football but were undone on 40 minutes when Ciaran Clark was outjumped by Dusan Tadic whose flick on was fired to the net by  Dusan Vlahovic. Ireland did not maintain their first half quality on the resumption and the hosts began to dominate. Ireland introduced Jeff Hendrick for Jayson Molumny on 61 minutes and Shane Long replaced Aaron Connolly six minutes later. Hosts Serbia took the lead on 68 minutes through substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic who lobbed Mark Travers from some thirty yards. Seven minutes later Mitrovic was again on the scoresheet, outjumping Clark in the penalty area to power home his header. A now somewhat deflated Ireland made three changes on 79 minutes with Robbie Brady, James Collins and James McClean replacing Browne, Clark and Robinson. The changes did spark something of a revival with Long pressurizing the goalkeeper and a defender into an error which Collins pounced upon to score. It was however too little too late. There were positive performances from captain Seamus Coleman midfielder Josh Cullen and forward Callum Robinson while all five substitutes did make some impact.

The other Group A contest played this evening saw Portugal defeat their visitors Azerbaijan by one goal to nil while in the friendly fixture, World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar defeated Luxembourg by one goal to nil.

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Our Republic of Ireland senior international football team set out  this evening on the journey which we all hope sees us participate at the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar. Manager Stephen Kenny has named his starting eleven for this opening engagement with second seed hosts Serbia in the Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade at 7.45pm.

It is extremely unlikely that anyone could have predicted the starting eleven which appears to be a 3-5-2 formation with significant attacking emphasis. We await the on pitch revelation. 

Team: Mark Travers; Seamus Coleman(C), Dara O’Shea, Ciaran Clark; Matt Doherty, Jayson Molumby, Josh Cullen, Alan Browne, Enda Stevens; Aaron Cconnolly, Callum Robinson

The four extended squad members to miss out this evening are Conor Coventry, Ronan Curtis, Ryan Manning and Troy Parrott.

Revised Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City on loan at Rochdale),  Kieran O’Hara(Burton Albion), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie(Fulham on loan at Nottingham Forest), Ciaran Clark(Newcastle United), Seamus Coleman(Everton), Matt Doherty(Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Glasgow Celtic), Darragh Lenihan(Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning(Swansea City), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion), Enda Stevens(Sheffield United) 

Midfielders: Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Conor Coventry(West Ham United), Josh Cullen(RSC Anderlecht), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Daryl Horgan((Wycombe Wanderers), Jason Knight(Derby County), James McClean(Stoke City), Jayson Molumby(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Preston North End),   

Forwards: James Collins(Luton Town), Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion),  Shane Long(Southampton on loan at AFC Bournemouth), Troy Parrott(Tottenham Hotspur on loan at Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson(West Bromwich Albion)

 

Manager Stephen Kenny has been presented with the usual injury withdrawals in the build up to the upcoming trio of international fixtures. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, defender Kevin Long and midfielders Conor Hourihane and Callum O’Dowda have been forced to withdraw from the squad. Defender Darragh Lenihan and midfielder Conor Coventry have been called up as replacements. While both Aaron Connolly and James McClean appear set to link up with the squad at their Manchester base, doubts still surround their availability following their recent injury issues.

Revised Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City on loan at Rochdale),  Kieran O’Hara(Burton Albion), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie(Fulham on loan at Nottingham Forest), Ciaran Clark(Newcastle United), Seamus Coleman(Everton), Matt Doherty(Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Glasgow Celtic), Darragh Lenihan(Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning(Swansea City), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion), Enda Stevens(Sheffield United) 

Midfielders: Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Conor Coventry(West Ham United), Josh Cullen(RSC Anderlecht), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Daryl Horgan((Wycombe Wanderers), Jason Knight(Derby County), James McClean(Stoke City), Jayson Molumby(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Preston North End),   

Forwards: James Collins(Luton Town), Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion),  Shane Long(Southampton on loan at AFC Bournemouth), Troy Parrott(Tottenham Hotspur on loan at Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson(West Bromwich Albion)

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Sunday
The two remaining FA Cup quarter-finals took place on Sunday with Chelsea defeating relegation bound Sheffield United by two goals to nil at Stamford Bridge where Enda Stevens was in action for the defeated ‘Blades’. Leicester City and Manchester United met at the King Power Stadium where the hosts were deserved three one victors. Ireland U21 call-up Shane Flynn has been training with the ‘Foxes’ first team but did not make the matchday squad.

Ireland U21 call-up Ademipo Odubeko was an unused substitute for West Ham United who let slip a three goal advantage as they were pegged back by visitors Arsenal in the Premier League this Sunday afternoon.

Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Shane Duffy was again an unused substitute for loan Club Glasgow Celtic who played out a one all  Scottish Premier League draw with champions Glasgow Rangers.

Midfielder Josh Cullen was in brief Belgian First Division action on Sunday afternoon for RSC Anderlecht who defeated visitors SV Zulte Waregem by four goals to one. Substitute Cullen was introduced on 70 minutes, cautioned after 75 minutes and red carded on 85 minutes.  Should be fresh as a daisy for Wednesday?.

Saturday
The FA Cup quarter-finals kicked-off at 12.15pm on Saturday afternoon with the South Coast Derby meeting of Championship side AFC Bournemouth and Premier League Southampton who secured a comfortable three nil victory. The hosts named Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny on their substitute bench with Kilkenny introduced on 77 minutes, while Will Ferry was unused on the visiting ‘Saints’ bench. Later at 5.30pm Everton and Seamus Coleman went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Manchester City in Goodison Park.

The AMEX Stadium hosts the Premier League meeting of relegation threatened duo Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United at 8pm. Aaron Connolly has returned to training following injury but does not make the matchday squad for the hosts while Ciaran Clark starts with Jeff Hendrick on the substitute bench for the visitors.

Cyrus Christie and Nottingham Forest travelled to promotion chasing Brentford and secured a Championship point from a one all draw. Bristol City included Callum O’Dowda in their starting eleven for the two nil home defeat by visitors Rotherham United with O’Dowda forced off with another injury in the closing stages. Daryl Horgan was a 75th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who played out a scoreless draw with Coventry City at St Andrew’s. Jayson Molumby was unused on the Preston North End substitute bench for the one nil defeat by visitors Luton Town for whom James Collins was a 77th minute substitute. Stoke City defeated visitors Derby County by one goal to nil. The ‘Rams’ included Jason Knight in their starting eleven with Louie Watson 82nd minute substitute while James McClean was not involved with the hosts, which may well see his withdrawal from our International squad. The ‘Welsh Derby’ meeting of Swansea City and Mick McCarthy‘s Cardiff City went the way of the visiting ‘Blues’ with the only goal at the Liberty Stadium where Conor Hourihane was withdrawn through injury after just 18 minutes while Ryan Manning was a 76th minute substitute.

Goalkeeper Keiren O’Hara was an unused substitute for Burton Albion who went down to a two one home League One defeat by MK Dons. Ronan Curtis started for Portsmouth who defeated Ipswich Town by two goals to one at Fratton Park with Marcus Harness scoring the winner. Troy Parrott was an 89th minute substitute while fellow loanee Mark McGuinness who has missed out in recent weeks as a consequence of the loan signing numeric regulations, returned on the bench. Rochdale included loanee Gavin Bazunu and Conor Grant in their starting eleven for the three all draw with visitors Peterborough United who included international goalkeeping target Christy Pym in their starting eleven.

Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was unused on the substitute bench for Walsall who went down to a two one defeat at Bolton Wanderers in League Two. Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor started for Tranmere Rovers who defeated visitors Exeter City by two goals to one. 

 

 

The 2021 Airtricity League Premier Division kicked-off at 5.45pm this Friday afternoon with promoted First Division Champions Drogheda United welcoming Kevin Sheedy managed Waterford to United Park. The match was an unexciting affair with the hosts being marginally the better side and scoring the only goal two minutes from time for victory.

Later in the evening, defending champions Shamrock Rovers welcomed Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic to Tallaght Stadium where the sides produced a much better affair which seemed to be going the way of the visitors when they scored in the final few minutes but the hosts responded little more than a minute later to earn a one all draw.

The remaining three contests are scheduled for 6pm on Saturday evening with Finn Harps playing host to Bohemian in Finn Park, promotion play-off winners Longford Town entertaining Derry City in Bishopsgate and Sligo Rovers taking on FAI Cup holders Dundalk in the Showgrounds.

All five contests will be shown live and can be purchased at www.watchloi.ie 

 

 

Republic of Ireland U21 Head Coach Jim Crawford has named his 22 man squad for the friendly international against Wales in Colliers Park Wrexham at 1pm on Friday the 26th March 2021.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair(Norwich City), Brian Maher(Bray Wanderers), Dan Rose(Schalke04)

Defenders: Andy Lyons(Bohemian), Oisin McEntee(Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness(Arsenal on loan at Ipswich Town), Lee O’Connor(Glasgow Celtic on loan at Tranmere Rovers), Mason O’Malley(Scunthorpe United), Andrew Omobamidele(Norwich City), Lewis Richards(Wolverhampton Wanderers),  

Midfielders: Luca Connell(Queens Park on loan from Celtic), Conor Coventry(West Ham United), Dawson Devoy(Bohemian), Shane Flynn(Leicester City), Alex Gilbert(Brentford), Conor Grant(Rochdale), Gavin Kilkenny(AFC Bournemouth), Conor Noss(Borussia Monchengladbach), Louie Watson(Derby County)

Forwards: Jonathan Afolabi(Glasgow Celtic on loan at Dundee), Will Ferry(Southampton), Joshua Kayode(Rotherham United on loan at Carlisle United), Ademipo Odubeko(West Ham United), Ethon Varian(Stoke City), Tyriek Wright(Aston Villa on loan at Walsall)

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has announced his provisional 29 man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying contests against Serbia and Luxembourg and the friendly against Qatar in Debrecen, Hungary. There are no major surprises with perhaps the omission of experienced goalkeeper Keiren Westwood the only one to catch the eye. Teenage netminder Gavin Bazunu is the only uncapped player named while there are serious injury doubts concerning Aaron Connolly.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City on loan at Rochdale), Caoimhin Kelleher(Liverpool), Kieran O’Hara(Burton Albion), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie(Fulham on loan at Nottingham Forest), Ciaran Clark(Newcastle United), Seamus Coleman(Everton), Matt Doherty(Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Glasgow Celtic), Kevin Long(Burnley), Ryan Manning(Swansea City), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion), Enda Stevens(Sheffield United) 

Midfielders: Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Josh Cullen(RSC Anderlecht), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Daryl Horgan((Wycombe Wanderers), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa on loan at Swansea City), Jason Knight(Derby County), James McClean(Stoke City), Jayson Molumby(Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at Preston North End), Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City),   

Forwards: James Collins(Luton Town), Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion),  Shane Long(Southampton on loan at AFC Bournemouth), Troy Parrott(Tottenham Hotspur on loan at Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson(West Bromwich Albion)

Club members met on Zoom for a special St Patrick’s Day meeting, where we raised a toast in memory of club members Tommy Feely R.I.P. and Patrick Loughran R.I.P.

Declan Finnegan updated us the latest FAI plans for setting up of the Away Match Portal and also explained that the FAI are provisionally planning to implement a 4 game season ticket package for when home games resume later in the year.  This is all subject to Covid Restrictions.

RISSC London is also rolling out its own club membership account access for members by the end of April and members were reminded to look out for their email link invitation.

Thanks were offered to Cathal Chu and Stephen Harte for their respective input into the clubs latest newsletter which gets great feedback from members and other supporters clubs.

Club Secretary Sean O’Carroll confirmed that he would email members details of the senior squad when announced on Thursday 18th March and also the link to the You Tube footage of the FAI fans Q&A presentation with Stephen Kenny.

There was mention of podcasts, our club charity donations and various bits of merchandise all of which are referenced in the newsletter.

We hope to, when we can and safe to do so, arrange a meeting and other club events to get the social side of the club active again and wish all members a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Stay Safe and thanks for your continued support.