News

There was a busy Easter weekend in the Airtricity League with fixtures on Friday and Monday.

Current Premier Division leaders Derry City suffered  a shock two one home defeat by Shelbourne on Friday afternoon while Shamrock Rovers closed  the gap with a one nil victory over visitors St Patrick’s Athletic. Dundalk climbed to third place with a two one victory over Sligo Rovers in Oriel Park. Bohemian and Finn Harps played out a two all draw in Dalymount Park where the visitors ended  the contest with just nine men. UCD went down to a two nil defeat by Drogheda United in The Bowl. 

On Monday afternoon Derry City saw their lead further reduced as they were held to a one all draw at Drogheda United while Shamrock Rovers defeated visitors Dundalk with the only goal in Tallaght Stadium. Bohemian made the short journey to Tolka Park where they defeated Shelbourne by four goals to one. UCD went down to a two one defeat by St Patrick’s Athletic in The Bowl while Sligo Rovers scored the only goal in the ‘North West’ derby with Finn Harps in Finn Park.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Derry City             11  7  3  1  17  9    8   24
Shamrock Rovers        11  7  2  2  17  7   10   23
St Patrick’s Athletic  11  5  2  4  13  8    5   17
Sligo Rovers           11  4  4  3  14 10    4   16
Dundalk                11  3  6  2  12  8    4   15
Bohemian               11  3  6  2  15 12    3   15
Drogheda United        11  3  4  4  13 17   -4   13
Shelbourne             11  3  3  5   9 16   -7   12
Finn Harps             11  1  4  6  10 19   -9    7
UCD                    11  0  4  7   6 20  -14    4

The Good Friday Airtricity League First Division programme saw leaders Cork City surprising held to a scoreless draw by Bray Wanderers in Turner’s Cross while Galway United narrowed  the gap with a one nil victory in Waterford.  Athlone Town and their visitors Treaty United played out a one all draw while Wexford defeated visitors Cobh Ramblers by four goals to two.

Cork City collected  the points with a two one victory over Waterford in the RSC on Easter Monday. Longford Town also secured a two one victory at Bray Wanderers. Cobh Ramblers defeated their visitors Athlone Town by three goals to two while Treaty United overcame visitors Wexford  by two goals to one.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Cork City              10  7  2  1  21  3   18   23
Galway United           9  6  2  1  14  8    6   20
Treaty United           9  4  3  2  13 10    3   15
Longford Town           7  4  2  1  11  5    6   14
Waterford              10  4  2  4  17 13    4   14
Wexford                10  3  2  5  13 19   -6   11
Bray Wanderers         10  2  4  4   6 14   -8   10
Cobh Ramblers           9  2  1  6  10 19   -9    7
Athlone Town           10  0  2  8  11 25  -14    2

 

 

Friday
There was a full Championship schedule on Good Friday with Birmingham City and Scott Hogan going down to a four two defeat by visitors Coventry City. Mark Travers started for second place AFC Bournemouth with Robbie Brady on the bench while visitors Middlesbrough included loanee Aaron Connolly in their starting eleven as the sides played out a scoreless draw. Sean McLoughlin started for Hull City who defeated visitors Cardiff City, who included Mark McGuinness and Joel Bagan in their starting eleven, by two goals to one with McGuinness withdrawn at half-time. Peterborough United named Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics in their side for their two one victory over visitors Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan with Szmodics scoring the winning goal. Preston North End included Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Millwall and Danny McNamara while Browne was forced off through injury after 29 minutes.  Sheffield United named John Egan, Enda Stevens and loanee Conor Hourihane in their side for their shock two one defeat by visitors Reading. Goalkeeper Jack Bonham started for Stoke City who went down to the only goal from visitors Bristol City for whom fellow netminder Max O’Leary was on the bench. Loanee Cyrus Christie and Michael Obafemi started for Swansea City while Ryan Manning was a 65th minute substitute for their disappointing one all draw with visitors Barnsley. Dara O’Shea, Callum Robinson and loanee Jayson Molumby all started for West Bromwich Albion who defeated visitors Blackpool by two goals to one. There was a 5.30pm kick-off  for the two all draw between Huddersfield Town and QPR who included Keiren Westwood and Jimmy Dunne in their side. Derby County included Jason Knight and Eiran Cashin in their starting eleven with Festy Ebosele a 57th minute substitute as they defeated  runaway leaders Fulham by two goals to one in the late kick-off.

There was League One action for loanee Ademipo Odubeko who was a 74th minute substitute for Doncaster Rovers and scored  three minutes later but his side went down to a two on e defeat by visitors Bolton Wanderers for whom Kieran Sadlier scored  the winning goal. Luke McNally and Mark Sykes were in the Oxford United  side which secured  a three two victory at Fleetwood Town. Portsmouth included loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven alongside Sean Raggett and Marcus Harness as they defeated visitors Lincoln City and Anthony Scully by three goals to two. 76th minute substitute Ronan Curtis scored six minutes after his introduction while Shaun Williams was a 71st minute substitute for ‘Pompey’. Dennis Cirkin started for Sunderland who overcame visitors Shrewsbury Town by three goals to two. Daryl Horgan started for Wycombe Wanderers who defeated visitors Plymouth Argyle by two goals to nil.

Saturday
Teenage striker Evan Ferguson was an unused  substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion who defeated their hosts Tottenham Hotspur with the only goal in their Premier League encounter.  Shane Long was a 74th minute substitute for Southampton who defeated  visitors Arsenal with the only goal at St Mary’s Stadium.

In League One, Chiedoze Ogbene started with Joshua Kayode an unused substitute for Rotherham United who maintained their League One promotion push with a one nil victory over visitors Ipswich Town. Leaders Wigan Athletic included Will Keane in their side as they suffered  a shock two one home defeat by Cambridge United. There was also disappointment for MK Dons who suffered  a three two home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott all started  for the hosts with Parrott finding the net on 40 minutes.

Aaron McEneff  was a 39th minute substitute for Heart of Midlothian who defeated Edinburgh rivals Hibernian by two goals to one in the Scottish Cup semi-final while Jake Doyle-Hayes started for the losers.

U21 defender Oisin McEntee on loan at Greenock Morton from Newcastle United started their one nil Scottish Championship defeat by visitors Hamilton Accademical.

Sunday
Nathan Collins started while Kevin Long was an unused substitute for Burnley  who earned  a one all Premier League draw at West Ham United. 

James McCarthy was an unused substitute for Glasgow Celtic who exited the Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage with a two one extra-time defeat by Glasgow Rangers.

Monday
The Championship continued on Monday afternoon with Huddersfield Town defeating their hosts Middlesbrough by two goals to nil at the Riverside Stadium where loanee Aaron Connolly was a 78th minute substitute for the hosts. Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics were both in the Peterborough United side which earned  a two nil victory at Barnsley. Darragh Lenihan captioned Blackburn Rovers who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Stoke City who included Jack Bonham in their starting eleven. Veteran defender Richard Keogh started for Blackpool who crushed visitors Birmingham City by six goals to one with Scott Hogan a late substitute for the vanquished ‘Blues’.  Joel Bagan started while Mark McGuinness was an unused  substitute for Cardiff City whi went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Luton Town for whom Peter Kioso was a 61st minute substitute. Mark Travers was on duty for AFC Bournemouth who secured  a three nil victory at Coventry City while Robbie Brady was an unused  substitute. Dan McNamara was in the Millwall side which defeated visitors Hull city and Sean McLoughlin by two goals to one. Keiren Westwood and Jimmy Dunne were in action with QPR who scored  the only goal to defeat visitors Derby County and relegate them to League One. Eiran Cashin and Jason Knight started for the ‘Rams’ while Louie Watson was an unused substitute. Reading and visitors Swansea City shared eight goals at the Madejski Stadium where loanee Cyrus Christie and Michael Obafemi, who scored, started  while Ryan Manning was a very late substitute. John Egan and Enda Stevens started for Sheffield United who drew one each with Bristol City at Ashton Gate where Max O’Leary was an unused substitute for the hosts while Conor Hourihane was introduced  from the ‘Blades’ bench for the final minute. Dara O’Shea started for West Bromwich Albion who suffered an early dismissal and a significant officiating error which ultimately saw them suffer a four nil defeat at Nottingham Forest. Jayson Molumby was a 54th minute substitute for the ‘Baggies’ while Callum Robinson was an unused substitute.

Daryl Horgan started for Wycombe Wanderers who earned  a League One point with a one all draw at AFC Wimbledon. Anthony Scully scored  for Lincoln City in their three nil victory over visitors Cheltenham Town. Sean Raggett scored  the equaliser for Portsmouth in their one all draw at Morecambe where ‘Pompey’ also had loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven with loanee Aiden O’Brien a 64th minute substitute. Dennis Cirkin was in the Sunderland side which played out a scoreless draw at fellow promotion candidates Plymouth Argyle. Loanee Ademipo Odubeko scored  for Doncaster United in their three all draw at Shrewsbury Town.

Loanee Jake O’Brien returned  to the Swindon Town starting eleven for their two one defeat by visitors Leyton Orient in League Two. Lee O’Connor was in action with Tranmere Rovers who defeated visitors Exeter City by two goals to nil.

Ireland Under 16 Head Coach Paul Osam led a 20 player squad to Serbia for a four nation development tournament this week.

Ireland commenced the tournament with a three two defeat by hosts Serbia on Tuesday afternoon.  Ireland took a two goal into the half-time break with strikes from Naj Razi and Trent Kone-Doherty coming on 36 and 37 minutes. The second half belonged  to the hosts who scored on 57 minutes and six minutes later they equalised. Ireland did create two good scoring opportunities but were unable to find the finishing touch and the hosts won the contest with a well struck free kick on 85 minutes. 

Ireland will now face North Macedonia in the play-off for third place at noon on Thursday afternoon. 

Team: Jason Healy; Sean Mackey, Cory O’Sullivan, Sean Hayden, Jake Grante; Daniel Negry-McGrath, Luke Kehir,  Anthony Dodd; Trent Kone-Doherty, Naj Razi, Nickson Okosun
Substitutes:
Romeo Akachukwu for Negry-McGrath 65′
Shaun Wade for Kone-Doherty 72′
Taylor Mooney for Okosun 72′

Squad

Goalkeepers: Jamie Gamble (Shelbourne), Jason Healy (Waterford)
Defenders: Stan Ashbee (Hull City), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Sean Hayden (St Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Mackey (St Patrick’s Athletic), Adam O’Halloran (Galway United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Rhys Bartley (St Patrick’s Athletic), Anthony Dodd (St Patrick’s Athletic), Luke Kehir (St Patrick’s Athletic), Gabriel Kelly (Manchester City), Daniel Negry-McGrath (Bohemian), Luke Nolan (Bray Wanderers)
Forwards: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Trent Kone-Doherty (Derry City), Taylor Mooney (St Patrick’s Athletic), Nickson Okosun (Bohemian), Najemedine Razi (Shamrock Rovers), Shaun Wade (Chelsea)

Tuesday
There was League One action this evening with Wigan Athletic playing out a scoreless draw at Burton Albion to extend their lead at the summit to four points. Will Keane was in action for the ‘Latics’  but Jamie McGrath failed  to make the matchday squad.
Portsmouth defeated third place Rotherham United by three goals to nil in Fratton Park where loanee Gavin Bazunu, Sean Raggett, Marcus Harness who scored and Ronan Curtis started for ‘Pompey’ while Shaun Williams and loanee Aiden O’Brien were late substitutes. Chiedoze Ogbene and Joshua Kayode started for the ‘Millers’ with Kayode withdrawn on 57 minutes.

Wednesday
The Champions League Quarter-Final second leg between Liverpool and Benfica took place at Anfield where the sides played out an entertaining three all draw. Holding a three one advantage from the first leg, the hosts go through to the semi final where they will face Spanish side Villareal. Despite seven changes being made to the starting eleven, Caoimhin Kelleher remained on  the substitute bench this evening.

Thursday
The Europa League Quarter-Final second leg between Lyon and West Ham United in France saw Darren Randolph included on the ‘Hammers’ substitute bench as they secured a three nil victory to progress to the semi-final on a four one aggregate score.

Our senior women earned an excellent one all draw against World Number 2 ranked Sweden in Gothenburg this afternoon. A magnificent defensive performance against the normally prolific hosts epitomises the progress made by this group of players under the guidance of Dutch coach Vera Pauw.  Ireland did ride their luck on a couple of occasions but in general they defended confidently with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan a commanding presence. Ireland took the lead a minute before the break with a well worked free kick culminating in a shot from captain Katie McCabe which took a defection before nestling in the back of the net. We held that lead until the 79th minute when the hosts equalised but our defensive solidity remained intact and we were worthy of our draw.  The RTE commentary team named Katie McCabe player of the match but this correspondent believes goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, who received that award in the one nil home defeat by Sweden, should again have been the recipient.

Team: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Megan Campbell; Jamie Finn, Louise Quinn, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe (c), Chloe Mustaki; Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Leanne Kiernan for Payne 74′

—————————————————————————————————————-

Our Senior Women under the guidance of Head Coach Vera Pauw take on World Number 2 seeds Sweden in Gothenburg at 5.30pm this Tuesday afternoon as they seek a first ever qualification for a World Cup Finals. Ireland currently sit second in Group A7 behind the runaway leaders who need  just a point this afternoon to confirm their qualification. Ireland’s battle for second place and a play-off place is ostensively with Finland who will in all likelihood leapfrog Ireland into second place when they host minnows Georgia earlier this afternoon. The match will be shown live on RTE 2 and RTE Player this afternoon.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Shelbourne), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Claire O’Riordan (MSV Duisburg), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)

Midfielders: Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Isibeal Atkinson (Glasgow Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Glasgow Rangers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)

Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge) Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford FC), Heather Payne (Florida State University)

 

Sunday
The battle for survival at the foot of the Premier League continued at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon with Norwich City defeating Burnley by two goals to nil. Nathan Collins started for the ‘Clarets’ with Kevin Long unused on their substitute bench.  The top two, Manchester City and Liverpool went head to head in the Etihad Stadium where they played out a two all draw. Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the visiting substitute bench.

Midfielder Connor Ronan, on loan at St Mirren from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was in action for his side who went down to a four nil defeat by visitors Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at noon on Sunday.

Midfielder Josh Cullen was in action with RSC Anderlecht who secured  a three two victory at KV Kortrijk this afternoon to go third in the Belgian First Division.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is keeping an eye on his former U21 player Zack Elbouzedi who was a second half substitute for AIK Solna who scored  the only goal to defeat IFK Norrkoping in the Swedish Allsvenskan this afternoon.

Saturday
Everton included Seamus Coleman in their side for their one nil Premier League defeat of visitors Manchester United early  on Saturday afternoon. Will Smallbone was an unused substitute for Southampton who crashed  to a six nil defeat by visitors  Chelsea. The late kick-off saw Aston Villa go down to a four nil defeat by an improving Tottenham Hotspur side for whom Matt Doherty started but was forced off through injury after just 21 minutes.

Current leaders Glasgow Celtic crushed visitors St Johnstone by seven goals to nil in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park where James McCarthy was a 74th minute substitute for the hosts while Dan Cleary and John Mahon were unused substitutes for the visitors. The ‘Edinburgh Derby’ saw Heart of Midlothian defeat Hibernian by three goals to one with Aaron McEneff a 68th minute substitute while Jake Doyle-Hayes started for the visitors but was withdrawn on 70 minutes.  Motherwell included Jake Carroll in their starting eleven with Ross Tierney introduced from the bench on 67 minutes as they recovered  from a two goal deficit to earn a draw at Livingston.

There was a 12.45pm kick-off  for the Championship meeting of Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth which ended scoreless. John Egan and Enda Stevens started and loanee Conor Hourihane was an 81st minute substitute for the hosts while Mark Travers started for the visitors and Robbie Brady was an 89th minute substitute. Max O’Leary was involved with our senior squad last week  but was on substitute duty for Bristol City who were held to a one all draw by visitors Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics both started at Ashton Gate. Loanee Aaron Connolly was in the Middlesbrough side which suffered an unexpected one nil defeat by visitors Hull City and Sean McLaughlin. The City Ground saw hosts Nottingham Forest defeat Birmingham City and Scott Hogan by two goals to nil.   Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started for Preston North End and Sean Maguire was a half-time substitute in their two one victory over visitors QPR who included Keiren Westwood and  Jimmy Dunne in their side. Cardiff City included Joel Bagan in their starting eleven with Mark McGuinness  an unused  substitute as they came from behind to secure a two one victory at Reading. Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie were in the Swansea City side which defeated visitors Derby County by two goals to one, The ‘Rams’ included Eiran Cashin in their starting eleven while Jason Knight and  Festy Ebosele were introduced during the second half. West Bromwich Albion included loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 58th minute substitute who scored  their goal in a  three one defeat by visitors Stoke City for whom Jack Bonham was in goal while Dara O’Shea was an unused substitute for the ‘Baggies’.

MK Dons continued their pursuit of promotion from League One with a one all draw at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon. Defender Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott started for the ‘Dons’, with Parrott scoring their goal. Loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness, Sean Raggett  and Shaun Williams all started  for Portsmouth who went down to a one nil defeat at Cheltenham Town. U21 striker Ademipo Odubeko, on loan at Doncaster Rovers from West Ham United, was a 75th minute substitute for the hosts who defeated visitors Crewe Alexandra by two goals to nil. Anthony Scully scored after 14 minutes for Lincoln City but the ‘Imps’ went down to a three one defeat by promotion chasing Wigan Athletic who included Will Keane, who scored, in their starting eleven while Jamie McGrath was an unused substitute. James McClean was absent through injury which may side line him for some considerable time. Mark Sykes and Luke McNally were in the Oxford United side which went down to a two one defeat by visitors Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin. EFL Trophy winners Rotherham United suffered  a setback in their pursuit of promotion with a one nil home defeat by Charlton Athletic. Chiedoze Ogbene was in action for the ‘Millers’ while Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute.

Teenage striker Callum Kavanagh, on loan from Middlesbrough, was in the Harrogate Town side which went down to a two nil League Two defeat at Salford City. U21 defender Jake O’Brien, on loan from Crystal Palace, was an unused substitute for Swindon Town who suffered  a one nil defeat by visitors Newport County. Another of our U21 players, Lee O’Connor, was in action for Tranmere Rovers who were held to a one all draw by visitors Bristol Rovers.

Our U21 connection continued with Oisin McEntee, on loan at Greenock Morton from Newcastle United, in Scottish Championship action for their one nil victory at Raith Rovers who included Stoke City loanee Ethan Varian in their starting eleven.

 

 

 

There were three Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures played this Friday evening. Drogheda United scored  a late equaliser to earn a one all draw with Bohemian at Head in the Game Park. Shelbourne and Damian Duff went down to a late Shamrock Rovers goal in a two one defeat in Tolka Park. The third contest saw a flurry of yellow cards as St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk fought out a scoreless draw in Richmond Park.

The two remaining fixtures took place on Saturday with the ‘Derby ‘ clash of Finn Harps and Derry City going the way of the visitors by two goals to one in Finn Park and sees them go six points clear at the summit of the league table. Later this evening Sligo Rovers and visitors UCD shared four goals in The Showgrounds.

                    P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Derry City              9  7  2  0  15  6    9   23
Shamrock Rovers         9  5  2  2  15  7    8   17
St Patrick’s Athletic   9  4  2  3  11  6    5   14
Sligo Rovers            9  3  4  2  12  8    4   13
Dundalk                 9  2  6  1  10  6    4   12
Bohemian                9  2  5  2   9  9    –   11
Shelbourne              9  2  3  4   6 11   -5    9
Drogheda United         9  2  3  4  10 16   -6    9
Finn Harps              9  1  3  5   8 16   -8    6
UCD                     9  0  4  5   5 16  -11    4 

 

Match Series Nine in the Airtricity League First Division takes place over two evenings with Bray Wanderers and Treaty United playing out a scoreless draw in the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening while Cobh Ramblers went down to a four nil defeat by Waterford in St Colman’s Park at the same time.

Galway United were held to a one all draw by Wexford in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening while Longford Town defeated Athlone Town by two goals to nil in Bishopsgate.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Cork City               8  6  1  1  19  2   17   19
Galway United           8  5  2  1  13  8    5   17
Waterford               8  4  2  2  16 10    6   14
Longford Town           6  3  2  1   9  4    5   11
Treaty United           7  3  2  2  10  8    2   11
Bray Wanderers          8  2  3  3   5 12   -7    9
Wexford                 8  2  2  4   8 15   -7    8
Cobh Ramblers           7  1  1  5   5 13   -8    4
Athlone Town            8  0  1  7   8 21  -13    1