News

Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Wolverhampton Wanderers securing a comfortable three nil victory over visitors Norwich City. Matt Doherty was again impressive in the right wing back role for the Molineaux hosts while teenage striker Adam Idah was an unused substitute for the visiting ‘Canaries’. Seamus Coleman was an unused substitute for Everton who went down to a three two defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Saturday
Jeff Hendrick completed another 90 minutes for Burnley while Robbie Brady was an added time substitute as their side secured a three nil Premier League victory over visitors AFC Bournemouth at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon while Kevin Long was an unused substitute. James McCarthy was in the Crystal Palace side for the one nil victory over visitors Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark was side lined by the ankle injury he sustained at Arsenal on Sunday last. Sheffield United duo John Egan and Enda Stevens started the one all draw with visitors Brighton & Hove Albion with Stevens scoring the goal before being forced off at half time through injury. David McGoldrick was a 74th minute substitute while Shane Duffy started for the visitors with Aaron Connolly a 75th minute substitute. Shane Long and Will Smallbone started for Southampton with Long scoring the opening goal in their two nil success over visitors Aston Villa for whom Conor Hourihane was a 59th minute substitute while Michael Obafemi replaced Long for the hosts on 73 minutes.

Daragh Lenihan captained Blackburn Rovers in their two all draw with hosts Brentford in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. Loanee Scott Hogan scored the added time equaliser for Birmingham City who played out a three all draw with visitors Sheffield Wednesday at St Andrew’s. Bristol City included Callum O’Dowda in their starting eleven for the visit of leaders West Bromwich Albion who included Dara O’Shea and loanee Callum Robinson in their starting eleven with Robinson scoring the opening goal in a three nil success for the ‘Baggies’. Josh Cullen was in the Charlton Athletic side for their three one victory over visitors Luton Town and James Collins at the Valley. Ryan Manning started with Conor Masterson unused on the substitute bench for QPR who played out a scoreless draw with  Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Sean Maguire started for Preston North End and was replaced on 58 minutes by Alan Browne who then scored the winning goal in the two one defeat of visitors Hull City for whom Sean McLoughlin was an unused substitute. Injury ruled James McClean out of the Stoke City side for the two nil victory over visitors Cardiff City with teenage centre back Nathan Collins a late substitute for the victorious hosts. Jayson Molumby and Alex Pearce both started for Millwall in their one nil defeat at Wigan Athletic.

In League One, loanee Connor Ronan was in the Blackpool side which played out a scoreless draw at AFC Wimbledon while Glenn Whelan and Paddy Madden started for Fleetwood Town who defeated their visitors Portsmouth and Ronan Curtis by one goal to nil. Alan Judge was in the Ipswich Town side which went down to a one nil home defeat by visitors Oxford United. The Lincoln City trio of Cian Bolger, Conor Coventry and Anthony Scully started the scoreless draw with visitors Gillingham who included Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven. Goalkeeper Max O’Leary, on loan from Bristol City, kept a clean sheet for Shrewsbury Town who defeated Doncaster Rovers by one goal to nil while fellow goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, on loan at Burton Albion from Manchester United, was fit to start their three two victory at Southend United.

Saturday
There were two Airtricity League First Division fixtures played on Saturday evening with Cobh Ramblers going down to a two nil defeat by Drogheda United in St Colman’s Park while Longford Town defeated Shamrock Rovers II by two goals to nil at Bishopsgate.

Friday
Week two in the Airtricity League Premier Division saw all ten clubs in Friday night action. With all five fixtures in opening week ending in one nil results, we certainly had quite a few more goals this evening.

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium hosted the ‘Derby’ meeting of Derry City and Finn Harps in front of the live RTE 2 cameras with the contest ending in a one all draw. Newly promoted Shelbourne went down to a two one defeat by defending champions Dundalk in Tolka Park. The Showgrounds witnessed hosts Sligo Rovers suffer a two nil defeat by visitors St Patrick’s Athletic while Waterford went down to a two nil defeat by RSC visitors Bohemian. Hosts Shamrock Rovers demolished Cork City by six goals to nil in Tallaght Stadium with Graham Burke scoring five of the goals.

The Airtricity League First Division commenced this Friday evening with Cabinteely defeating visitors Bray Wanderers by four goals to two at Stradbrook while Wexford and UCD played out a one all draw in Ferrycarrig Park.

Friday
The Championship continued this Friday evening with Derby County teenager Jason Knight in the ‘Rams’ starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Fulham for whom Harry Arter started with Cyrus Christie unused on the substitute bench at Pride Park.

Thursday
The first legs in the Europa League Round of 32 took place this Thursday evening with Matt Doherty in fine form for Wolverhampton Wanderers who defeated Spanish visitors Espanyol by four goals to nil. Earlier in the evening Jonny Hayes again filled  the left back position for Glasgow Celtic who emerged from their away contest against FC Copenhagen with a one all draw.

Wednesday
The second semi-final in the English Football League Trophy saw Salford City progress to face Portsmouth in the Wembley final with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out success against Newport County after the tie  finished scoreless after extra-time. Padraig Amond started for the hosts but club captain Mark O’Brien missed out through injury while Darron Gibson and Richie Towell started for the victors with Adam Rooney a late substitute.

Tuesday
There was Irish involvement in three separate competitions on Tuesday evening. In League One, Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was in action for Gillingham who scored the only goal for victory at Southend United.

There was a dramatic ending to the first semi-final in the English Football League Trophy with Portsmouth for whom Ronan Curtis was in action, defeating Exeter City by three goals to two with four of the goals being scored in the last few minutes of the contest.

There was also drama in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay between Motherwell and St Mirren at Fir Park. The visitors who are managed by Jim Goodwin included January signings Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven and swept into a four one half time lead. The hosts responded in the second period scoring three times to force extra-time which remained scoreless. McGrath converted the opening penalty in the shoot-out and his side progressed with a three two success.

Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Aston Villa going down to a three two added time defeat by visitors Tottenham Hotspur. Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for the hosts. Later in the afternoon, Arsenal defeated visitors Newcastle United by four goals to nil. Ciaran Clark was in central defence for the ‘Magpies’ but suffer a nasty looking ankle injury and was withdrawn after 83 minutes.

Saturday
The Premier League continued on Saturday afternoon with Southampton going down to a two one home defeat by visitors Burnley in a 12.30pm kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium. The hosts included Shane Long in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi a 73rd minute substitute and Will Smallbone unused on the bench while the visiting ‘Clarets’ included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Robbie Brady an unused substitute. 

Current leaders West Bromwich Albion briefly extended their lead at the summit of the Championship with a two all draw with visitors Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off at the Hawthorns. Ireland U21 defender Dara O’Shea and loanee Callum Robinson were in action for the ‘Baggies’ with Robinson scoring the opening goal after 37 minutes. Birmingham City loanee Scott Hogan, who has rediscovered his goal scoring form with the ‘Blues’, was in action at St Andrew’s in the one all draw with visitors Brentford, the club with which he came to prominence three seasons ago. West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen was in midfield action with his loan club Charlton Athletic who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Blackburn Rovers and Daragh Lenihan at the Valley. Jason Knight was unused on the bench for Derby County who were held to a one all draw by Huddersfield Town at Pride Park. Harry Arter was a 54th minute substitute while Cyrus Christie was unused by Fulham who suffered a shock three nil  defeat by visitors Barnsley at Craven Cottage. Callum O’Dowda was an early substitute for Bristol City who went down to a one nil defeat at Leeds United. James Collins started for Luton Town who shocked  Middlesbrough with the only goal at the Riverside Stadium. Alan Browne started but was substituted on 65 minutes while Sean Maguire was introduced form the bench after 76 minutes as their Preston North End lost to the only goal from visitors Millwall for whom  Jayson Molumby and Alex Pearce started while Aiden O’Brien was unused on the substitute bench. Queens Park Rangers included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Conor Masterson unused on the substitute bench for the four two victory over visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean was absent after suffering a medial ligament knee injury in Wednesday night’s defeat by Preston North End while Nathan Collins was unused on the substitute bench.

In League One, Accrington Stanley secured a four three success over visitors Lincoln City, who included Irish U21 international Anthony Scully, who opened the scoring, in their starting eleven with fellow U21 internationals Conor Coventry and Zack Elbouzedi unused on the substitute bench at the Crown Ground this afternoon. Bristol Rovers defeated visitors Blackpool by two goals to one at the Memorial Ground where two further U21 internationals, Josh Barrett and Connor Ronan were in opposition. Glenn Whelan and Paddy Madden were in the Fleetwood Town side which defeated in-form visitors Peterborough United and their U21 international midfielder Jack Taylor by two goals to one. Yet another U21 squad member, Thomas O’Connor was in the Gillingham side who also secured a two one success over visitors Doncaster Rovers and Kieran Sadlier. Ipswich Town had Alan Judge in their starting eleven and he scored in their four one success against visitors Burton Albion for whom goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was forced off through injury just before half-time. In form Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven for the two nil defeat of visitors Shrewsbury Town, for whom loanee goalkeeper Max O’Leary returned to a starting position. Leaders Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven for the visit of AFC Wimbledon who secured an unexpected two all draw.

Friday
The Premier League meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City ended in a scoreless draw at Molineaux on Friday evening. The contest lacked sparkle with the crimson flow from a head injury sustained by Matt Doherty catching the eye on several occasions.

The Championship contest between Hull City and Swansea City at the KCOM Stadium saw eight goals shared with Sean McLoughlin retaining his starting position for the host ‘Tigers’.

The first semi-final of the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup at Firhill Stadium between Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers ended in a two one victory for the visitors and disappointment for Ireland U21 international Lee O’Connor, who is on loan with the defeated hosts from Glasgow Celtic.

 

The 2020 Airtricity League Premier Division kicked-off this Friday evening with four scheduled fixtures all ending in one nil results with all four winning goals being scored in the second half of each contest. Defending champions Dundalk defeated Derry City in Oriel Park while Cork City went down to promoted First Division champions Shelbourne in Turner’s Cross. St Patrick’s Athletic lost to visitors Waterford in Richmond Park with the North West ‘Derby’ meeting of Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers going the way of the hosts in Finn Park.

The remaining fixture between bitter Dublin rivals Bohemian and Shamrock Rovers kicked-off at 2pm on Saturday afternoon in Dalymount Park where the visiting ‘Hoops’ scored the only goal in the third minute of added time for victory.

Our U17 Women played out a one all draw with visitors Iceland in the second of two friendly internationals played in Tramore on Sunday afternoon. Erin McLaughlin headed Ireland in front on 35 minutes but the visitors equalised on 57 minutes.

Team: Rugile Askalnyte; Aimee Crosbie, Della Doherty, Rebecca Watkins, Therese Kinneavey; Aiobheann Clancy, Muireann Devaney, Jessie Stapleton; Olivia Gibson, Erin McLaughlin, Kerry Brown
Substitutes:
Shauna Brennan for Crosbie 57′
Aoife Horgan for Watkins 57′
Ellen Molloy for Gibson 57′
Kate Slevin for Kinneavey 74′
Kate O’Dowd for Devanney 74′
Jenna Slattery for Brown 87′

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Our U17 Women today secured a two all draw with visitors Iceland in the first of two friendly internationals being played in Waterford this weekend. Iceland took an early lead which they held until the 57th minute when Ellen Molloy equalised. The visitors regained the lead after 64 minutes but Molloy came to the rescue again with her second equaliser on 75 minutes.

Team: Leah Hayes; Kate Slevin, Della Doherty(C), Shauna Brennan, Therese Kinneavey; Aiobheann Clancy, Muireann Devaney, Ellen Molloy; Aoife Horgan, Erin McLaughlin, Kerry Brown
Substitutes:
Orlagh Fitzpatrick for Horgan 51′
Rugile Askalnyte for Hayes 57′
Jenna Slattery for Slevin 57′
Kate O’Dowd for Devaney 57′
Jessie Stapleton for Kinneavey 72′
Rebecca Watkins for Brown 72′

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James Scott, Head Coach of the Republic of Ireland U17 women’s team, has named a twenty player squad for two friendly contests against Iceland in Waterford this weekend. The sides will face each other in the RSC at 7pm on the evening of Friday the 14th February and again on Sunday the 16th February at Tramore AFC with a 2pm kick-off.

Squad;
Goalkeepers: Rugile Askalnyte(Bohemian), Leah Hayes(Cork City)
Defenders: Aimee Bates-Crosby(Wexford WFC), Shauna Brennan(Galway WFC), Della Doherty(Peamount United), Therese Kinneavey(Galway WFC), Jenna Slattery(Fairview Rangers), Kate Slevin(Galway WFC), Jessie Stapleton(Cherry Orchard), Rebecca Watkins(Peamount United)
Midfielders: Aiobheann Clancy(Limerick WFC), Muireann Devanney(Sligo Rovers), Olivia Gibson(Cork City), Ellen Molloy(Thomastown United), Kate O’Dowd(Peamount United)
Forwards: Kerry Brown(Sion Swifts), Orlagh Fitzpatrick(Peamount United), Aoife Horgan(Limerick), Erin McLaughlin(Sion Swifts), Laura Shine(Wilton United)

Our Republic of Ireland U17 side, guided by Head Coach Colin O’Brien, completed preparations for the upcoming Elite Stage of the 2020 European Championship with a one all draw against Switzerland in their second outing in Valencia this Friday morning. There was a touch of ‘deja vu’ at the outset as the Swiss took a second minute lead but on this occasion the defence stood firm and a second half equaliser from Evan Ferguson was just reward for their resilience.

Team: Josh Keely; Fionnan Coyle, Darragh Reilly, Sean Roughlan, Oisin Hand; Andrew Moran, Kailin Barlow, Jamie Doyle; Sinclair Armstrong(C), Calum Kavanagh, Oran Crowe
Substitutes:
Gavin O’Brien for Coyle 46′
Tayo Adaramola for Roughlan 46′
Evan Ferguson for Kavanagh 46′
Oliver O’Neill for Crowe 46′

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Our U17 side went down to a three one defeat by Switzerland in the first of their two friendly contests played in Valencia, Spain this Wednesday afternoon. The Swiss took an early lead and dominated much of the exchanges during the remainder of the first half. They added two further goals in the early stages of the second half with the Irish goal coming five minutes from the end through late substitute Andrew Moran.

Team: Daniel Rose; Tayo Adaramola, Leigh Kavanagh, Adam Wells, Gavin O’Brien(C); Kyle Conway, Colin Conroy, Ben McCormack; Evan Ferguson, Oliver O’Neill, Robbie Mahon
Substitutes:
Oran Crowe for Conroy 46′
Sinclair Armstrong for Mahon 46′
Jamie Doyle for McCormack 62′
Calum Kavanagh for Ferguson 62′
Andrew Moran for O’Neill 62′
Darragh Reilly for Adaramola 79′

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Republic of Ireland Under 17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien has named a 22 player squad for their friendly double header against Switzerland which takes place in Valencia this week. The first contest is set for Wednesday the 12th February in the Campos de Futbol Oliva Nova at 12pm Irish time with the second encounter scheduled for the same venue at 11am Irish time on Friday the 14th February 2020.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Josh Keely(St Patrick’s Athletic), Daniel Rose(Everton)
Defenders: Tayo Adaramola(Crystal Palace), Fionnan Coyle(Finn Harps), Oisin Hand(Shamrock Rovers), Leigh Kavanagh(Bray Wanderers), Gavin O’Brien(Bohemian), Darragh Reilly(Shamrock Rovers), Sean Roughan(Lincoln City), Adam Wells(Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Kailin Barlow(Sligo Rovers), Colin Conroy(Bohemian), Kyle Conway(St Patrick’s Athletic), Oran Crowe(Cork City), Jamie Doyle(Shamrock Rovers), Ben McCormack(St Patrick’s Athletic), Andrew Moran (Bray Wanderers)
Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong(Shamrock Rovers), Evan Ferguson(Bohemian), Calum Kavanagh(Middlesbrough), Robbie Mahon(Bohemian), Oliver O’Neill(Fulham)