News

 

Friday
Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi, named in Jim Crawford’s Republic of Ireland U21 squad, is in the Dundee squad for this evening’s Scottish Championship contest at Alloa Athletic.

Thursday
Matt Doherty was an unused substitute for Tottenham Hotspur who exited the Europa League following a three nil extra-time defeat by Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia this evening. The North London side had been comfortable two nil victors in the first leg and were expected to progress but once again their frailties were exposed.

Wednesday
There was more Championship action this Wednesday evening with Sheffield Wednesday playing out a one all draw with Huddersfield Town and veteran defender Richard Keogh at Hillsborough where goalkeeper Keiren Westwood retained his starting position for the hosts. Cyrus Christie and Nottingham Forest went down to a two nil defeat by leaders Norwich City at the City Ground while Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan suffered a three one defeat by in form Barnsley. Darragh Lenihan was in the Blackburn Rovers side for the visit of Bristol City who included goalkeeper Max O’Leary in their starting eleven with fit again Callum O’Dowda a 65th minute substitute as the sides played out a scoreless draw. Scott Hogan started for Birmingham City who surprised promotion chasing Reading with a resilient two one victory at St Andrew’s.

In League One, Accrington Stanley went down to a two nil defeat by  weekend EFL Trophy winners Sunderland and Aiden McGeady at the Wham Stadium.

Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with struggling Derby County recovering a two nil half-time deficit to secure a two all draw with promotion chasing Brentford in Pride Park. Jason Knight and Louie Watson both started for the ‘Rams’ with Watson withdrawn at half-time. James Collins was an 81st minute substitute for Luton Town who defeated visitors Coventry City by two goals to nil. James McClean is reported to have made a speedier than expected recovery from his foot injury but was not involved with his Stoke City who okayed out a scoreless draw at Mick McCarthy‘s Cardiff City. Alan Browne was red carded after 36 minutes of his Preston North End’s two nil defeat at Middlesbrough. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby whose loan spell is proving very disappointing as he has seen very little match time, was introduced this evening at half-time. Southampton loanee Shane Long together with Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were unused on the AFC Bournemouth substitute bench for the three nil victory nover visitors Swansea City who included Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning in their starting eleven. 

U21 striker Anthony Scully was an 82nd minute substitute for Lincoln City who suffered a shock three nil League One defeat by visitors Gillingham whose Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was an added time substitute for the victors. Promotion chasing duo Peterborough United and Portsmouth locked horns at London Road with the hosts scoring the only goal for victory. The ‘Posh’ were still without hamstring victim Jack Taylor but Ireland qualified goalkeeper Christy Pym, the subject of current international speculation, started while Ronan Curtis started for ‘Pompey’ with Marcus Harness a 61st minute substitute. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott, who scored his first senior goal in Saturday’s one nil victory for his loan club Ipswich Town, was joined by Alan Judge in the starting eleven as they suffered a disappointing two nil defeat at Fleetwood Town. Aaron Drinan and Stephen Ward were introduced from the bench on 67 minutes with Parrott one of the departees.

Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was a 94th minute substitute while  Liam Kinsella completed  the full 90 minutes for Walsall in their one all League Two draw at Crawley Town.

 

Sunday
The Premier League South Coast meeting of Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion kicked off at noon on Sunday at St Mary’s Stadium with teenager Will Ferry an unused substitute for the hosts who suffered  a two one defeat. Aaron Connolly missed out with a cracked rib which is expected to rule him out of the Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. In the aftermath of the departure of manager Chris Wilder, Enda Stevens and his Sheffield United colleagues travelled to face Leicester City where they suffered a crushing five nil defeat. Matt Doherty started for Tottenham Hotspur who went down to a two one defeat at North London rivals Arsenal. The late kick-off saw Manchester United defeat visitors West Ham United by one goal to nil. The ‘Hammers’ included Ademipo Odubeko and Conor Coventry on their substitute bench. 

The return from injury of Kieran Westwood provides Ireland manager Stephen Kenny with an experienced goalkeeping option in the absence of regular custodian Darren Randolph. Westwood started for Sheffield Wednesday who went down to a two one defeat by Championship leaders Norwich City at Hillsborough. Teenage defender Ciaran Brennan was  included on the ‘Owls’ substitute bench.

The 2021 EFL Trophy Final between Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers at  Wembley Stadium this Sunday afternoon went the way of the ‘Makems’ with Aiden McGeady providing the assist for the only goal early in the second half. Both Aiden O’Brien of the ‘Makems’ and Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor of the ‘Super White Army’ were missing from their respective matchday squads.

Saturday
Dara O’Shea started with Callum Robinson an unused substitute for West Bromwich Albion who went down to a one nil Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. Seamus Coleman was a 73rd minute substitute for Everton who suffered a two one defeat by visitors Burnley for whom Robbie Brady was a 66th minute substitute while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne remained on the bench. Both Brady and Coleman were quite involved during their period on the pitch.

Luton Town went down to a one nil home defeat by promotion chasing Swansea City in the CHampionship early this afternoon. The visitors included Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Hourihane opening the scoring the winning goal after just three minutes. Barnsley secured  a three two success at AFC Bournemouth who included Southampton loanee Shane Long in their starting eleven with goalkeeper Mark Travers unused on the substitute bench. Jason Knight started and Louie Watson replaced him on the hour mark as  Derby County went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Millwall. Nottingham Forest and Cyrus Christie played out a one all draw with visitors Reading at the City Ground while Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan defeated their visitors Preston North End by one goal to nil. Alan Browne and Sean Maguire started for the ‘Lilywhites’ while loanees Jayson Molumby was an unused substitute. Callum O’Dowda returned to action with Bristol City, after a lengthy injury absence, and scored with his first touch following his introduction from the substitute bench on 76 minutes. His side secured a three nil victory at Birmingham City for whom Scott Hogan started but was withdrawn on 68 minutes.  

Ipswich Town include Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott together with Alan Judge in their starting eleven for the League One contest with visitors Plymouth Argyle and Parrott scored  his first goal in senior football after just four minutes, which proved to be the winner. Anthony Scully was a half-time substitute for Lincoln City who went down to a two one home defeat by Rochdale who included goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, on loan from Manchester City, in their starting eleven

The delayed 2020 EFL Trophy Final between Portsmouth and Salford City took place at Wembley Stadium this Saturday afternoon and remained scoreless after extra-time. Both Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness were introduced from the ‘Pompey’ substitute bench on 45 minutes. The Trophy went North with Salford City, for whom Richie Towell was a starter, winning the penalty shoot-out on a four two score line.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was an unused substitute for Dundee in their two nil Scottish Championship victory over visitors  Arbroath while Aaron McEneff started for leaders Heart of Midlothian who defeated visitors Ayr United by two goals to nil at Tynecastle.

 

The 2021 Airtricity League season kicked off this Friday evening with the President’s Cup opener between League Champions Shamrock Rovers and FAI Cup Winners Dundalk in a wet and windy Tallaght Stadium. There was very little love lost between the sides in a quite lively and robust encounter. There were some excellent passages of play from both sides with the ‘Lilywhites’ taking a one goal lead three minutes before the half-time break courtesy of a fine header from giant Faroe Islands defender Sonni Nattestad. The ‘Hoops’ equalised three minutes into the second half with a clinically taken goal from defender Liam Scales. Thereafter the quality of play decreased and the harsh dismissal of Nattestad on 59 minutes saw the ‘Hoops’ dominate but Dundalk stayed defensively steadfast and held out to send the contest to a penalty shoot-out. The ‘Lilywhites’ then took the Trophy on a four three scoreline.

Friday
The Premier League contest between Newcastle United and Aston Villa ended in a one all draw at St James Park on Friday evening. Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ while Jeff Hendrick was an unused substitute.

Darragh Lenihan was in Championship action with Blackburn Rovers and on his 200th appearance for the club conceded the penalty which gave visitors Brentford their one nil victory at Ewood Park on Friday evening.  

Aston Villa loanee Tyriek Wright was in the Walsall side alongside Liam Kinsella for Friday evening’s one nil League Two defeat by visitors Barrow.

Thursday
Tottenham Hotspur earned a two nil advantage in their Europa League Round of Sixteen First Leg tie against Dinamo Zagreb in The London Stadium where Matt Doherty was an unused substitute this evening.

Wednesday
Current Premier League leaders Manchester City continued their assault on the title with a five two home victory over visitors Southampton who included Will Ferry on their substitute bench.

The Championship continued this evening with Derby County visiting in form Barnsley where they played out a scoreless draw. The ‘Rams’ included Jason Knight in their starting eleven with Louie Watson on their substitute bench.

Tuesday
Stuttering Blackburn Rovers played out a one all draw with promotion chasing Swansea City in the Championship this Tuesday evening. Darragh Lenihan started for the hosts while Conor Hourihane was a starter for the visitors but was forced off through injury on 65 minutes while Ryan Manning remained on the substitute bench. Daryl Horgan completed the full 90 minutes for Wycombe Wanderers who went down to a one nil defeat at QPR.

The League One meeting of promotion contenders Ipswich Town and Lincoln City ended in a one all draw at Portman Road. Alan Judge and Troy Parrott were 61st minute substitutes for the hosts while Stephen Ward was unused on the substitute bench. Anthony Scully was a 79th minute substitute for the visiting ‘Imps’. Swindon Town went down to a two one defeat by visitors Oxford United who included Mark Sykes, Liam Kelly and Anthony Forde in their starting eleven with Olamide Shodipo replacing Sykes on 72 minutes. Portsmouth went down to a two nil defeat by Sunderland in Fratton Park where Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness were 59th and 78th minute substitutes for the hosts while Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien both started for the visitors. Rochdale suffered a two nil defeat by visitors Shrewsbury Town with Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu in action with the ‘Dale’.

Monday
Injury ruled Seamus Coleman out of Everton’s two nil Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Monday evening while Darren Randolph  was also an injury casualty as he missed West Ham United’s two nil victory over visitors Leeds United. Teenage striker Ademipo Odubeko was an unused substitute for the ‘Hammers’.

Sunday
The Premier League continued at noon with relegation threatened duo West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United playing out a scoreless draw at The Hawthorns. Dara O’Shea was in action for the ‘Baggies’ with Callum Robinson an unused substitute while Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick started for the visiting ‘Magpies’ but Hendrick was withdrawn on 57 minutes. The contest is likely to have been of keen interest to Ireland manager Stephen Kenny with the possibility that O’Shea and Clark may form his central defensive partnership in Serbia on the 24th March. Matt Doherty started for Tottenham Hotspur who defeated Crystal Palace by four goals to one at their London Stadium. The injury hoodoo has again struck James McCarthy who limped off in the  midweek fixture against Manchester United and was not involved this evening. 

Midfielder Josh Cullen was again in Belgian First Division action with RSC Anderlecht who played host to Mechelen at 5.15pm.

The decline in performance and playing time of Shane Duffy with Glasgow Celtic did not change as he was again an unused substitute when they played out a scoreless draw at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Saturday
Burnley played out a one all draw with visitors Arsenal early this Saturday afternoon in the opening Premier League contest of the weekend. The ‘Clarets’ included Robbie Brady, Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne on their substitute bench with Brady being introduced on 68 minutes. Sheffield United included Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven as they went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Southampton with McGoldrick withdrawn after 58 minutes. Injury ruled Aaron Connolly out of the Brighton & Hove Albion side which went down to a two one home defeat by visitors Leicester City who included nineteen year old midfielder Shane Flynn on their substitute bench at the AMEX Stadium.

In the Championship, promotion chasing Watford scored the only goal to defeat visitors of Nottingham Forest who included Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven. Scott Hogan started for Birmingham City who went down to a one nil defeat at Barnsley. Jason Knight started and Louie Watson was a 69th minute substitute for  Derby County who lost to the only goal at Coventry City. Danny McNamara was a 73rd minute substitute bench for Millwall who went down to a two nil defeat by Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan at the New Den. Adam Idah was an 86th minute substitute for Norwich City as the current leaders defeated Luton Town and James Collins by three goals to nil at Carrow Road. Club captain Alan Browne together with loanee Greg Cunningham started for Preston North End with Sean Maguire a 66th minute substitute in their one all draw with visitors AFC Bournemouth. Jayson Molumby was unused on the home substitute bench while Southampton loanee Shane Long was a 75th minute substitute for the visitors with Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny unused on their substitute bench. Daryl Horgan was a 73rd minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who suffered  a two nil defeat at Stoke City. Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning were in the Swansea City starting eleven for the two one victory over visitors Middlesbrough with Manning withdrawn on 73 minutes.

There was a 1pm kick-off for the League One meeting of Gillingham and Ipswich Town with Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in action with the hosts while Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott started  for the visitors who went down to a three one defeat. Parrott was withdrawn on 68 minutes. The visitors were without Alan Judge whose mother passed away on Thursday. Anthony Scully was an 85th minute substitute for Lincoln City who defeated visitors Crewe Alexandra by three goals to nil. Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett all started for Portsmouth with Curtis withdrawn on 59 minutes as they crashed to a four one defeat at Northampton Town. Anthony Forde, Liam Kelly and QPR loanee Olamide Shodipo started for Oxford United with Mark Sykes an 82nd minute substitute in their scoreless draw with visitors Charlton Athletic. Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien started for Sunderland who defeated Rochdale and Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu by two goals to nil in the Stadium of Light.

The Scottish Championship meeting of Heart of Midlothian and Dundee saw Aaron McEneff in action for the hosts who prevailed by two goals to one with Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi a 78th minute substitute for the visitors. 

 

Friday
The John Smith’s Stadium was the venue for the Championship meeting of Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City on Friday evening with Richard Keogh in action for the hosts against Mick McCarthy‘s side chasing a promotion play-off place. The match finished scoreless with the hosts squandering the best winning opportunity when failing with a penalty kick. The draw maintained Mick‘s unbeaten record with the ‘Bluebirds’ in his eleventh match in charge and the 1,000th match of his managerial career.

Thursday
Craven Cottage hosted the Premier League meeting of London clubs Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening where Matt Doherty started for the visitors whom prevailed by one goal to nil. Dara O’Shea retained his starting role for West Bromwich Albion with Callum Robinson unused on the substitute bench as they went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Everton for whom Seamus Coleman was absent because of injury but believed to be minor. 

Wednesday
Burnley named Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne on their substitute bench for the Premier League visit of Leicester City which ended in a one all draw. Sheffield United seemed to have accepted their inevitable relegation fate as they prepared for the visit of Aston Villa but their attitude and performance in a one nil victory was full of endeavor and pride. Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick both started with skipper McGoldrick starting and finishing the move for the winning goal. James McCarthy was included in the Crystal Palace side for the scoreless draw with Manchester United at Selhurst Park but was withdrawn through injury on 62 minutes. 

Following a nine week absence with a hamstring tear, Callum O’Dowda resumed training with Bristol City on Monday but was not involved in this evening’s two one Championship defeat by AFC Bournemouth at Ashton Gate. Southampton loanee Shane Long and Mark Travers were named on the ‘Cherries’ substitute bench with Long introduced on 75 minutes. Weekend goal scorer Adam Idah remained on the substitute bench for leaders Norwich City who scored the only goal to defeat second place Brentford at Carrow Road. Daryl Horgan and Wycombe Wanderers suffered a two nil defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road. Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane was introduced from the bench on 70 minutes while Ryan Manning started for Swansea City who scored in added time to secure a two victory at Stoke City whose Irish duo of Nathan Collins and James McClean are injury victims.

Tuesday
Manager Mick McCarthy continued his Championship promotion push with Cardiff City when they crushed visitors Derby County by four goals to nil on Tuesday evening. Jason Knight and Louie Watson are named on the substitute bench for the ‘Rams’ with Watson introduced on 69 minutes.. Veteran defender Richard Keogh was unused on the bench as his Huddersfield Town played out a one all draw with Birmingham City at the John Smith’s Stadium where Scott Hogan was an 84th minute substitute for the visitors. Danny McNamara is again unused on the substitute bench for Millwall who defeated Preston North End by two goals to one at the New Den. The visitors include Greg Cunningham and Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven. Loanee Cyrus Christie started for Nottingham Forest who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Luton Town at the City Ground where James Collins was an 80th minute substitute for the ‘Hatters’. Stuttering Blackburn Rovers included Darragh Lenihan in their side for the one nil defeat at promotion chasing Watford.

Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was in League One action with Gillingham who defeated visitors MK Dons by three goals to two at Priestland. Former ‘Saints’ colleague Warren O’Hora started and scored for the ‘Dons’. Newly appointed manager Paul Cook took a watching brief as Ipswich Town secured a two one victory at Accrington Stanley whose captain Seamus Conneely was dismissed after just 16 minutes. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott together with Alan Judge starting for the ‘Tractor Boys’ with Stephen Ward and Aaron Drinan on their substitute bench. The Portsmouth trio,  Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett all started the two one defeat at Doncaster Rovers with Curtis withdrawn at half-time.  Anthony Scully and his Lincoln City colleagues suffered another setback as Fleetwood Town defeated them by two goals to one at Sincil Bank. Oxford United included Mark Sykes in their starting eleven with Liam Kelly, Anthony Forde and loanee Olamide Shodipo on the substitute bench for their scoreless draw with visitors and current leaders Peterborough United to the Kassam Stadium. Forde was introduced on 38 minutes while Shodipo entered the fray on 83 minutes. Aiden McGeady started for Sunderland with Aiden O’Brien a 62nd minute substitute bench as they scored  the only goal to defeat Swindon Town at the Stadium of Light. Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu was in action with relegation threatened Rochdale who went down to a two nil defeat at promotion chasing Hull City.

Rotherham United loanee Joshua Kayode was in League Two action with Carlisle United who went down to a two one defeat at Colchester United. Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was in action with Walsall who who played out a scoreless draw at Exeter City. Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor started for Tranmere Rovers who maintained  their promotion challenge with a one nil victory over visitors Newport County. 

Monday
The Premier League continued on Monday evening with Everton securing a one nil victory over visitors Southampton at Goodison Park. Captain Seamus Coleman was rested by the ‘Toffees’ while Will Ferry was an unused substitute for the ‘Saints’.

Sunday
Crystal Palace introduced James McCarthy from their substitute bench in the 79th minute of their scoreless draw with visitors Fulham in the Premier League early this Sunday afternoon. Tottenham Hotspur crushed Burnley by four goals to nil at the London Stadium with Matt Doherty introduced from the bench on 81 minutes while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were confined to the ‘Clarets’ substitute bench. David McGoldrick and Enda Stevens were in the Sheffield United starting eleven for the two nil Bramall Lane defeat by visitors Liverpool.

Josh Cullen was in Belgian First Division action with RSC Anderlecht who secured  a three one victory at Standard Liege early this Sunday afternoon. 

Wycombe Wanderers introduced Daryl Horgan from their substitute bench in the 67th minute of their two nil Championship defeat by  leaders Norwich City at Adams Park. The visitors introduced Adam Idah from their bench on 84 minutes and three minutes later he scored the defining second goal. 

Saturday
Darren Randolph started for West Ham United in their Premier League meeting with leaders Manchester City which ended in a two one defeat early this Saturday afternoon in the Etihad Stadium. Eighteen year old striker Ademipo Odubeko was unused on the substitute bench. Dara O’Shea started while Callum Robinson was an unused substitute for  West Bromwich Albion who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Brighton & Hove Albion at the Hawthorns. Aaron Connolly started for the visitors but was substituted on 61 minutes shortly after a quite awful miss. The late kick-off saw Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers play out a one all draw with Ciaran Clark in good form for the hosts while Jeff Hendrick was unused on the substitute bench. 

There are a number of Irish Championship players currently sidelined through injury including Stoke City duo Nathan Collins (metatarsal) and James McClean (foot), Keiren Westwood (rib fracture) Sheffield Wednesday, Callum O’Dowda (hamstring) Bristol City.

AFC Bournemouth included loanee Shane Long, Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny on the substitute bench for their one nil Championship victory over visitors Watford. Long was introduced to the action on 80 minutes. Scott Hogan started for for Birmingham City who came from behind to defeat visitors QPR by two goals to one. Alan Browne and loanee Greg Cunningham started for Preston North End who defeated visitors Huddersfield Town by three goals to nil. Jayson Molumby was introduced for the final few minutes of the contest.  Huddersfield Town included the veteran Richard Keogh.in their starting eleven. Promotion chasing Swansea City included loanee Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven as they went down to a surprise three one home defeat by visitors Bristol City. Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for the hosts.

In form Sunderland were held to a two all draw at Crewe Alexandra in League One with starters Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien withdrawn on 59 minutes. Ipswich Town included loanee Troy Parrott and Alan Judge in their starting eleven with Judge scoring the openier in their two one victory over visitors of Doncaster Rovers at Portman Road. Current leaders Peterborough United included midfielder Jack Taylor in their side for the two one victory over visitors Wigan Athletic. Taylor is one who may be summoned by Stephen Kenny when he announces his next senior international squad. Anthony Scully is another who may be on the Kenny radar as he has been consistently finding the net for second place Lincoln City but not today as they went down to a three two defeat at Plymouth Argyle. Portsmouth duo Ronan Curtis and recent international declaree Marcus Harness started the one all draw with visitors Gillingham who included Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven.  Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, on loan at Rochdale from Manchester City, is another who may be on the senior international radar. He started this afternoon’s two nil defeat by visitors Burton Albion this afternoon.  Fellow netminder Kieran O’Hara was again an unused substitute for the visitors.