News

Europa League
The First Qualifying Round continued on Thursday the 27th August with Bohemian travelling to face Fehervar of Hungary. The ‘Gypsies’ took a 22nd minute lead through Keith Ward but the hosts equalised from the penalty spot on 37 minutes. The hosts dominated much of the contest but the Bohemian defence stood solid and there were no further goals in normal time or in the 30 minutes of extra-time. There was bitter disappointment for Bohemian who despite taking the lead in the penalty shoot-out, when the hosts had their first spot kick saved by Stephen McGuinness, exited the competition on a 4-2 shoot-out scoreline when they missed kicks three and four.

Shamrock Rovers welcomed Llves Tampere of Finland to Tallaght Stadium where they kicked off at 8pm. The ‘Hoops’ suffered an early setback when they fell behind to a 10th minute penalty but they made a quick recovery with Graham Burke equalising four minutes later. While the ‘Hoops’ were dominating proceedings, the score remained one each at half-time. The visitors restored their lead on 62 minutes but again the ‘Hoops’ found an equaliser through Roberto Lopes on 78 minutes. The scores remained unchanged through the remainder of normal time but the 88th minute dismissal of Liam Scales for a second bookable offence put huge pressure on the hosts in extra-time. The score remained unchanged at the end of extra-time and so on to a penalty shoot-out. The hosts must have feared the worst when Jack Byrne saw his opening spot-kick saved but the opposition also failed with their opener and so the drama continued with Shamrock Rovers ultimately prevailing on a 12-11 penalty shoot-out scoreline.

Both Coleraine and Glentoran were also in First Qualifying Round action being away to NK Maribor (Slovenia) and Motherwell (Scotland) respectively. Both matches were scoreless at half-time. A red card dismissal early in the second half was the catalyst for the collapse of the Belfast side who succumbed to a five one defeat. Meanwhile Coleraine took a 62nd minute lead but were pegged back just three minutes later and the match ended in a one all draw after extra-time. There was joy for the Derry side as they prevailed by five goals to four in the ensuing penalty shoot-out.

Scottish side Aberdeen included Jonny Hayes in their starting eleven with Tommie Hoban unused on the substitute bench for their home contest against NSI Runavik (Faroe Islands) in which the ‘Dons’ scored a comfortable six nil victory.

Welsh sides Bala Town and The New Saints (TNS) did their country proud by both progressing to the next round following victories over Valetta (Malta) and MSK Zilina (Slovakia) respectively.

The First Qualifying Round commenced earlier this week with Derry City travelling to face Riteriai of Lithuania on Tuesday afternoon where they exited the competition following a three two defeat after extra-time.

Champions League
In the Second Qualifying Round of the 2020/21 Champions League, Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic made their earliest exit from the competition in 15 years when they suffered an unexpected two one home defeat by Hungarian champions Ferencvaros on Wednesday evening in Celtic Park. 

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has announced his first  senior international squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League contests against Bulgaria on Thursday the 3rd September in Sofia and three days later on Sunday the 6th September against Finland in the Aviva Stadium. There are two uncapped selections, Adam Idah and Jayson Molumby who are promoted from the U21 squad.

Goalkeepers: Kieran O’Hara(Unattached), Darren Randolph(West Ham United), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman(Everton), Matt Doherty(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan(Sheffield United), Daragh Lenihan(Blackburn Rovers), Enda Stevens(Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Harry Arter(AFC Bournemouth), Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa), James McCarthy(Crystal Palace), James McClean(Stoke City), Jayson Molumby(Brighton & Hove Albion), Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City), 
Forwards: Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Idah(Norwich City), Shane Long(Southampton), Troy Parrott(Millwall-Loan), Callum Robinson(Sheffield United)

David McGoldrick(Sheffield United) has currently got an injury problem but may link up for the Finland match.

Premier Division
This weekend’s remaining Premier Division contest between Waterford and Finn Harps took place in the RSC on Sunday afternoon and saw the Donegal visitors twice come from behind to secure a three two victory and swap basement places with Cork City on goal difference.

There was another Dublin Derby played on Saturday afternoon with second place Bohemian maintaining their challenge with a two nil victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in Dalymount Park to move to just two points behind Shamrock Rovers. Later in the afternoon at 5pm, Sligo Rovers defeated defending champions Dundalk by three goals to one in the Showgrounds to move into fourth position.

Match series nine in the Airtricity League Premier Division kicked-off at 5.45pm on Friday afternoon with Derry City recovering from the concession of a third minute goal to secure a three one victory over Cork City in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Later at 7.45pm, current leaders Shamrock Rovers welcomed Dublin rivals Shelbourne to Tallaght Stadium where the sides played out a largely uneventful scoreless draw.

The remaining contest between Waterford and Finn Harps took place in the RSC at 5pm on Sunday afternoon where the visitors shocked their hosts by coming from behind to secure a three two victory.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers         9  7  2  0  20  6   14   23
Bohemian                9  7  0  2  12  4    8   21
Dundalk                 9  4  2  3  17 12    5   14
Sligo Rovers            9  4  0  5  11 14   -3   12
Derry City              9  3  2  4  11 10    1   11
St Patrick’s Athletic   9  3  2  4   6  7   -1   11
Shelbourne              9  3  2  4   6  8   -2   11
Waterford               9  3  2  4   9 12   -3   11
Finn Harps              9  2  1  6   6 15   -9    7
Cork City               9  2  1  6   5 15  -10    7

First Division
There were four Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Friday evening. Current leaders Cabinteely went down to a shock three nil defeat by near neighbours UCD at Stradbrook while Drogheda United closed the gap at the summit with a three nil victory over  Wexford in Ferrycarrig Park. In the Midlands, Athlone Town crashed to a four nil home defeat by Shamrock Rovers II while out West, Bray Wanderers played out a scoreless draw with hosts Galway United.

The remaining contest between Cobh Ramblers and Longford Town took place in St Colman’s Park on Saturday evening and saw the hosts secure a two nil victory.

There was one further fixture completed on Monday the 31st August with Longford Town defeating Wexford by three goals to one at Bishopsgate.

                     P  W  D  L   F  A  G/D  Pts
Cabinteely           8  6  1  1  14  7   7   19
Drogheda United      8  5  2  1  19  8  11   17
Longford Town        9  5  1  3  10  8   2   16
Bray Wanderers       8  4  2  2  10  7   3   14
UCD                  8  4  2  2  11 10   1   14
Cobh Ramblers        8  3  2  3  11  8   3   11
Shamrock Rovers II   8  2  2  4  10 10   –    8
Wexford              9  1  3  5   5 16 -11    6
Galway United        8  0  5  3   5  9  -4    5
Athlone Town         8  0  2  6  10 22 -12    2

The 2020/21 Champions League Qualifying Rounds and 2020/21 Europa League Preliminary Rounds are scheduled to take place over the next two weeks.

Champions League
Airtricity League Champions Dundalk suffered a disappointing three nil defeat by NK Celje of Slovenia on Wednesday evening in the neutral venue of the Ferenc Szusza Stadium in Ujpest near Budapest in Hungary. The ‘Lilywhites’ have not been in good form since the resumption of football last month and despite some improvement they flattered to deceive once again. The first half was relatively even until they conceded a poor goal just before the break. They did have second half opportunities to equalise but failed in front of goal and the concession of another poor goal two minutes from time settled the affair with Celje scoring a third in added time to add salt to the wound.

First into Champions League Qualifying Round action on Tuesday evening at 6pm were Northern Ireland League Champions Linfield who travelled to face Legia Warsaw in Poland where they went down to a one nil defeat. The Belfast club had gained a Preliminary Round walkover when their scheduled opponents KF Drita of Kosova were unable to travel because of the Corona 19 situation. Also in Tuesday night action were Scottish Champions Glasgow Celtic who crushed Icelandic Champions KR Reykjavik by six goals to nil in Celtic Park.

Europa League
Northern Ireland representatives Coleraine and Glentoran were both in Europa League Preliminary Round action on Thursday evening with home ties against La Fiorita (San Marino) and HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands)respectively. Both Irish sides secured one nil victories to progress to next week’s qualifying round.

The First Qualifying Round is set for next week with Derry City travelling to face Riteriai of Lithuania at 5pm on Tuesday the 25th August while two days later on the 27th August, Bohemian travel to face Fehervar of Hungary at 5.30pm while Shamrock Rovers welcome Llves Tampere of Finland to Tallaght Stadium at 8pm.

Both Coleraine and Glentoran will also be in First Qualifying Round action being away to NK Maribor (Slovenia) and Motherwell (Scotland) respectively. Scottish side Aberdeen, who include Jonny Hayes and Tommie Hoban among their number, are also set for action against NSI Runavik (Faroe Islands).   

 

Premier Division
The outstanding Airtricity League Premier Division match series four fixture between Sligo Rovers and Waterford took place this Tuesday afternoon in the Showgrounds and saw the hosts recover from the concession of a 16th minute goal to secure a two one victory with goals on 73 and 90+2 minutes. 

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers         8  7  1  0  20  6   14   22
Bohemian                8  6  0  2  10  4    6   18
Dundalk                 8  4  2  2  16  9    7   14
St Patrick’s Athletic   8  3  2  3   6  5    1   11
Waterford               8  3  2  3   7  9   -2   11
Shelbourne              8  3  1  4   6  8   -2   10
Sligo Rovers            8  3  0  5   8 13   -5    9
Derry City              8  2  2  4   8  9   -1    8
Cork City               8  2  1  5   4 12   -8    7
Finn Harps              8  1  1  6   3 13  -10    4

First Division
There is a full set of Airtricity League First Division fixtures scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of this week.

On Monday evening, Drogheda United scored the only goal to defeat Galway United in United Park while second place Longford Town went down to a three one defeat by current leaders Cabinteely at home in Bishopsgate. UCD defeated visitors Athlone Town by two goals to one at The Bowl.

The contest between Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers II took place in the Carlisle Grounds at 7.45pm on Tuesday evening and swa the hosts prevail with the only goal of the game. Meanwhile at the same time Cobh Ramblers defeated Wexford by four goals to nil in St Colman’s Park.

                     P  W  D  L   F  A  G/D  Pts
Cabinteely           7  6  1  0  14  4  10   19
Drogheda United      7  4  2  1  16  8   8   14
Bray Wanderers       7  4  1  2  10  7   3   13
Longford Town        7  4  1  2   7  5   2   13
UCD                  7  3  2  2   8 10  -2   11
Cobh Ramblers        7  2  2  3   9  8   1    8
Wexford              7  1  3  3   4 10  -6    6
Shamrock Rovers II   7  1  2  4   6 10  -4    5
Galway United        7  0  4  3   5  9  -4    4
Athlone Town         7  0  2  5  10 18  -8    2

 

It is with great sadness that RISSC (London) announces the death of long standing member and character supreme Tommy Feely. The son of fabled Irish Girls Pipers Band founder Agnes O’Connell suffered serious illness during the Rugby World Cup in Japan last year but fought a brave battle and returned to London where he spent a further recovery period in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. Tommy displayed valiant courage and joined us at our Charity Quiz Night on the 31st January this year. This traumatic spring and summer has proven a bridge too far and we have had to say farewell to Tommy.

Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam