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The Airtricity League Premier Division continued on Friday evening with early leaders St Patrick’s Athletic going down to a two one defeat at Derry City, who leapfrog them at the summit, in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Defending champions Shamrock Rovers were held to a two all draw by Sligo Rovers in Tallaght Stadium while the ‘Louth Derby’ meeting of Drogheda United and Dundalk went the way of the hosts with the only goal in Head in the Game Park. Shelbourne went down top an unexpected three nil defeat by visitors Finn Harps in Tolka Park while UCD and Bohemian played out a one all draw at The Bowl.

In the First Division, early leaders Cork City defeated Treaty United by four goals to nil in the Markets Field. Galway United secured a two one victory at Athlone Town while Bray Wanderers scored the only goal to defeat Cobh Ramblers in St Colman’s Park. Wexford went down to a three nil defeat by Longford Town in Ferrycarrig Park.

Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny has announced a 25 player squad for the upcoming friendly internationals against Belgium and Lithuania. Injury had already ruled out James Collins, Adam Idah, Andrew Omobamidele, Callum O’Dowda and Enda Stevens while Cyrus Christie, Aaron Connolly, Daryl Horgan, Jamie McGrath and Michael Obafemi have not been selected in this squad.

The omission of Obafemi will be a talking point given he has recently found some goal scoring form for Swansea City but his refusal to accept a call up to the U21 squad earlier this week, citing his interest in the senior side only, has backfired and rightly so. When you are invited  to represent your country at any level there is no decision to be made. Later in the day, manager Stephen Kenny advised  that Obafemi was never under consideration for the seniors or the U21s  because of  concerns relating to his hamstrings. Hmmmm.

The two newcomers to the squad, Connor Ronan and Mark Sykes, have both been in fine form with their clubs and are excellent technical players. 

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders:  Seamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Burnley, Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion)

Midfielders: Alan Browne (Preston North End), Josh Cullen (RSC Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR on loan from Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United on loan from Aston Villa), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Connor Ronan (St Mirren on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Mark Sykes (Oxford United)

Forwards: Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedoze Ogbene (Rotherham United), Troy Parrott (MK Dons on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

 

Under 21 Head Coach Jim Crawford has named a 21 man squad for the UEFA U21 European Championship qualifier against Sweden in Boras on Tuesday the 29th March at 5pm. The match will be shown live on RTE 2.

Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (Derry City), Luke McNicholas (Cliftonville on loan from Sligo Rovers), David Odumosu (St Patrick’s Athletic)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Eiran Cashin (Derby County), Andy Lyons (Shamrock rovers), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Swindon Town on loan from Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (MK Dons on loan from West Ham United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Ross Tierney (Motherwell)

Forwards: Festy Ebosele (Derby county), Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Mipo Odubeko (Doncaster Rovers on loan from West Ham United), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Colchester United on loan from Aston Villa) 

 

Thursday
Beleaguered Everton and Seamus Coleman were Premier League hosts to a resurgent Newcastle United on Thursday evening. The ‘Toffees’ secured  three valuable points wit the only goal late in stoppage time.

West Ham United included Darren Randolph on their bench for the Europa League Round of Sixteen second leg visit of Spanish side Sevilla who held a one nil advantage from the first leg. The ‘Hammers’ progressed to the quarter-final stage with a two nil victory after extra-time.

Wednesday
The re-arranged Premier League meeting of Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur took place at the AMEX Stadium on Wednesday evening where Shane Duffy and Matt Doherty were in opposition as the visitors secured  a two nil victory. Caoimhin Kelleher was on the bench for Liverpool who defeated hosts Arsenal by two goals to nil at the Emirates Stadium.

Sheffield United included John Egan in their starting eleven while loanee Conor Hourihane was a 70th minute substitute in their scoreless Championship draw at Blackpool. Mark McGuinness  and Joel Bagan were in the Cardiff City side which came from behind to defeat visitors Stoke City by two goals to one. Goalkeeper Jack Bonham was in action for the visitors. Alan Browne and his Preston North End colleagues suffered  a crushing four nil defeat at Luton Town who included Peter Kioso in their side at Kenilworth Road. Jimmy Dunne started with loanee Jeff Hendrick a 62nd minute substitute for QPR who went down to a three one defeat at Nottingham Forest.  Sam Szmodics started and scored for Peterborough United who went down to a three two defeat by visitors Swansea City for whom Michael Obafemi scored twice while loanee Cyrus Christie was also in their starting eleven.

Tuesday
Striker Scott Hogan was a 33rd minute substitute for Birmingham City  while loanee Aaron Connolly started and opened the scoring for visitors Middlesbrough who won by two goals to nil in the Championship on Tuesday evening. Darragh Lenihan started and James Brown was on the Blackburn Rovers bench for the visit of Derby County who included Jason Knight and Eiran Cashin in their starting eleven with Festy Ebosele introduced from the bench on 81 minutes. The ‘Rams’ took a first half lead but the hosts recovered to score three times in the second period.  Mark Travers and AFC Bournemouth played out a one all draw with visitors Reading in the Vitality Stadium. Callum Robinson started and scored the only goal for West Bromwich Albion in their victory over league leaders Fulham at the Hawthorns. Dara O’Shea was an unused substitute while loanee Jayson Molumby was introduced for the final nine minutes.

Promotion chasing Wigan Athletic included Will Keane in their side for their two nil victory at Crewe Alexandra in League One and he was again on the scoresheet with the second goal. Portsmouth included loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Sean Raggett and Ronan Curtis  in their starting eleven ar they went down to a one nil defeat at Plymouth Argyle. Leaders Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene and Joshua Kayode in their starting eleven for their two one defeat of  visitors Lincoln City and Anthony Scully with Ogbene scoring their second goal.  Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan defeated visitors Fleetwood Town by one goals to nil in Adams Park.

Lee O’Connor and Tranmere Rovers secured  a two nil League Two success over their visitors Harrowgate Town who included Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Lewis Richards in their side.

Monday
James McCarthy was a 76th minute substitute for Glasgow Celtic who eased  to a three nil Scottish Cup quarter-final victory at Dundee United.

Match Series Six in the Airtricity League Premier Division took place on Monday evening with Bohemian playing out a one all draw with Shelbourne in Dalymount Park while Derry City defeated Drogheda United by two goals to nil in  the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers plated out a scoreless draw in Oriel Park while Richmond Park saw St Patrick’s Athletic defeat  UCD by two goals to nil. The ‘North West Derby’ meeting of Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps ended in a three one victory for the hosts in the Showgrounds.

There were four First Division contests completed this evening with Cork City defeating early leaders Waterford by two goals to nil in Turner’s Cross. Galway United maintained  their challenge with a two one success over visitors Treaty United. Midland clubs Athlone Town and Longford Town suffered home defeats by Cobh Ramblers (2-3) and Bray Wanderers (1-2) respectively.

 

Sunday
A struggling Everton side included Seamus Coleman in their starting eleven for the one nil defeat by visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers in the  Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Southampton included Will Smallbone in their starting eleven but he was withdrawn at half-time while Shane Long was introduced from the bench in added time as the ‘Saints’ suffered  a two one defeat by Watford at St Mary’s Stadium.

There was a noon kick-off for the Championship meeting of Luton Town and QPR at Kenilworth Road where the visitors included  Jimmy Dunne and loanee Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven. The hosts dominated much of the match and took a first half lead but the ‘R’s scored twice late on for victory. Hendrick was largely innocuous and withdrawn on 74 minutes.

The Scottish Cup quarter-final saw Motherwell go down to a two one defeat at Fir Park by Hibernian where  Jake Carroll and Ross Tierney were unused on their substitute bench while Jake Doyle-Hayes missed out for the victors through injury. 

Midfielder Josh Cullen was in action with RSC Anderlecht who leapfrogged visitors Royal Antwerp into third place in the Belgian First Division with a two one victory.

Saturday
Struggling Brighton & Hove Albion named Shane Duffy on their substitute bench for their two nil Premier League defeat by visitors Liverpool and substitute Caoimhin Kelleher early on Saturday afternoon. Burnley included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven with Kevin Long unused on their bench for their two nil defeat at Brentford where Collins was dismissed in added time following his concession of the penalty which led  to the second goal. Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur and Matt Doherty by three goals to two in the late kick-off at Old Trafford.

Birmingham City included Scott Hogan on their bench for their Championship draw with visitors Hull City and Sean McLoughlin. Blackburn Rovers included Darragh Lenihan in their side with James Browne unused on the bench as they suffered an added time defeat by visitors Bristol City at Ewood Park. Swansea City were without the suspended Ryan Manning for their one nil defeat at Blackpool where Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie were in their starting eleven. Mark Travers was in action for AFC Bournemouth who defeated visitors Derby County by two goals to nil. Young Eiran Cashin started for the ‘Rams’ with Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele introduced from the bench during the second half.  Mark McGuinness started for Cardiff City while Joel Bagan was a late substitute in their scoreless draw with visitors Preston North End and Alan Browne. Coventry City defeated Sheffield United by four goals to one with John Egan and loanee Conor Hourihane both in the ‘Blades’ starting eleven. Millwall and Danny McNamara played out a scoreless draw with Middlesbrough and their loanee Aaron Connolly at the New Den. Peterborough United included Jack Taylor in their side for their two all draw with visitors Stoke City and goalkeeper Jack Bonham.

In League One, loanee Mipo Odubeko was in the Doncaster Rovers side which lost to the only goal from visitors Gillingham. Ipswich Town played out a scoreless draw with visitors Portsmouth and their Irish ensemble comprising loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett. In form MK Dons included Warren O’Hora together with loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott in their side for their one all draw with fellow promotion rivals Wigan Athletic for whom Will Keane started with Jamie McGrath on the bench while James McClean was suspended. Shrewsbury Town went down to a two one defeat by visitors Oxford United who included Mark Sykes and Luke McNally in their starting eleven. Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin secured  a two nil victory over Crewe Alexandra at the Stadium of Light. Two further promotion contenders, Wycombe Wanderers and current leaders Rotherham United met at Adams Park where wide men Daryl Horgan and Chiedoze Ogbene were in opposition with Joshua Kayode unused on the visitors bench as the contest finished scoreless.

Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien was in League Two action with Swindon Town who scored an added time goal to defeat Oldham Athletic at the County Ground.

The Scottish Cup quarter-final tie between Heart of Midlothian and St Mirren went the way of the hosts by four goals to two at Tynecastle this evening. Aaron McEneff  was a 67th minute substitute for the hosts and scored immediately following his introduction while Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan who scored another stunning goal was joined in the visiting side by Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne and Alan Power.

 

 

Match Series Five in the Airtricity League Premier Division took place this Friday evening with bitter Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemian locking horns in Tallaght Stadium where the hosts scored  the only goal for victory. Shelbourne and Dundalk shared the spoils with a one all draw in Tolka Park. Finn Harps went down to a two nil defeat by visitors St Patrick’s Athletic in Finn Park while Drogheda United also suffered  a home defeat going down by three goals to nil to Sligo Rovers in Head in the Game Park.  The scheduled meeting of UCD and Derry City fell foul to weather conditions and was postponed.

There were three Match Series Four contests completed in the Airtricity League First Division with Bray Wanderers going down to a three one defeat by Galway United in the Carlisle Grounds. Cork City emerged victorious by two goals to nil against Cobh Ramblers in Turner’s Cross. The ‘South East Derby’ meeting of Waterford and Wexford went the way of the hosts by two goals to one in the RSC. The scheduled meeting of Treaty United  and Longford Town was  victim of weather conditions and postponed.

Today’s announcement that Stephen Kenny‘s contract as Republic of Ireland manager has been extended to the 2024 European Championships is welcome news. Extensions have also been agreed with his current coaching team of Keith Andrews, Dean Kiely, Stephen Rice and Damien Doyle.

Kenny is also expected to shortly confirm the identity of the coach who will replace the recently departed Anthony Barry who has linked up with Belgium.

Stephen Kenny is set to announce his squad next week for the upcoming friendly internationals with Belgium and Lithuania.

The current horrendous  conflict in the Ukraine is set to impact upon our scheduled Europa League contests with Ukraine and Scotland in June as those two nations are set to meet in a World Cup qualifier during that period following the postponement of their originally scheduled meeting this month.