News

The snow which yesterday delayed the commencement of our U19 European Championship Group Ten qualifying campaign cleared and our opening fixture against Switzerland took place in the HCS Arena, Salzburg today.

Ireland got off to an excellent start with captain Oisin McEntee scoring after just two minutes. Switzerland, rather like their senior side, are accomplished performers and they took control of proceedings before eventually scoring an equaliser after 57 minutes. Ireland suffered a further bitter blow after 65 minutes with the dismissal of defender Mazeed Ogungbo following the receipt of a second yellow card. The ten men were unable to hold out and Switzerland scored on 79 minutes to take all three points.

Ireland will seek to recover when they face minnows Gibraltar, who were crushed by 14 goals to nil by mini-tournament hosts Austria in today’s other contest, when they meet on Saturday afternoon. 

Team:
J Corcoran; F Ebosele, M McGuinness, Oisin McEntee (C), M Ogungbo; A O’Reilly, B Coffey; M Everitt, C Noss, A Okoflex; R Cassidy
Substitutes:
Alex Gilbert for Everitt 46′
Lewis Richards for Okoflex 67′
Tom Cannon for Noss 86′
Tyriek Wright for Cassidy 86′

Fixtures:
Thursday 14 November 2019
11.00 Austria 14-0 Gibraltar
11.00 Switzerland 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Saturday 16 November 2019
15.00 Austria v Switzerland
11.00 Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar
Tuesday 19 November 2019
12.30 Gibraltar v Switzerland
12.30 Republic of Ireland v Austria

Squad
Goalkeepers: Sean Bohan(Bohemian), Jimmy Corcoran(Preston North End)
Defenders: Oisin McEntee(Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness(Arsenal), Mazeed Ogungbo(Arsenal), Andrew Omobamidele(Norwich City), Lewis Richards(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Timi Sobowale(Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jamie Bowden(Tottenham Hotspur), Barry Coffey(Glasgow Celtic), Festy Ebosele(Derby County), Conor Noss(Borussia Monchengladbach), Adam O’Reilly(Preston North End), Ross Tierney(Bohemian)  
Forwards: Tom Cannon(Everton), Ryan Cassidy(Watford), Matt Everitt(Brighton & Hove Albion), Alex Gilbert(West Bromwich Albion), Armstrong Oko-Flex(Glasgow Celtic), Tyreik Wright(Aston Villa) 

 

Our 2020 European U17 Championship qualifying campaign kicked-off at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening in Turner’s Cross when Head Coach Colin O’Brien saw his young charges ease to a comfortable six nil Group Three victory over bottom seeds Andorra.

Ireland got off to a flying start with Robert Mahon finding the net after just 3 minutes. Mahon added a second on 22 minutes and a brace from Evan Ferguson followed in the next 6 minutes to effectively end the contest.

Second half goals from Colin Conroy and substitute Calum Kavanagh set the seal on the expected victory.

Team:
D Rose; G O’Brien, L Kavanagh, AG McNulty, T Adaramola; K Conway, B McCormack, C Conroy; S Armstrong, E Ferguson, R Mahon
Substitutes:
O Crowe for Conway 46′
O O’Neill for Armstrong 46′
K Barlow for O’Brien 61′
A Moran for McCormack 61′
C Kavanagh for Ferguson 73′

The opening Group fixture between Montenegro and Israel kicked-off at 3pm in St Colman’s Park, Cobh and saw Israel score the only goal after just seven minutes.

Fixtures:
Tuesday 12 November 2019
Montenegro 0-1 Israel 15.00 St Colman’s Park, Cobh
Republic of Ireland 6-0 Andorra 19.30 Turner’s Cross, Cork
Friday 15 November 2019
Israel v Andorra 15.00 St Colman’s Park, Cobh
Republic of Ireland v Montenegro 19.30 Turner’s Cross, Cork
Monday 18 November 2019
Andorra v Montenegro 14.00 St Colman’s Park, Cobh
Israel v Republic of Ireland 14.00 Turner’s Cross, Cork

Goalkeepers: Josh Keely(St Patrick’s Athletic), Daniel Rose(Everton)
Defenders: Tayo Adaramola(Crystal Palace), Oisin Hand(Shamrock Rovers), Leigh Kavanagh(Bray Wanderers), Anselmo Garcia McNulty(Wolfsburg), Gavin O’Brien(Bohemian), Daragh Reilly(St Patrick’s Athletic)
Midfielders: Colin Conroy(Bohemian), Kyle Conway(St Patrick’s Athletic), Oran Crowe(Cork City), Olabosun Lawal(Watford), Ben McCormack(St Patrick’s Athletic), Andrew Moran(Bray Wanderers)   
Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong(Shamrock Rovers), Kailin Barlow(Sligo Rovers), Evan Ferguson(Bohemian), Calum Kavanagh(Middlesbrough), Robert Mahon(Bohemian), Oliver O’Neill(Fulham)

Brighton & Hove Albion striker Aaron Connolly has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming fixtures against Denmark and New Zealand. The teenager suffered a groin strain in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford and was ruled out following a scan this Monday afternoon.

During this afternoon’s press conference, Mick McCarthy confirmed that Darren Randolph will be rested from the New Zealand friendly and that Jack Byrne, Lee O’Connor and Troy Parrott will receive some match time in that encounter.

Updated Squad:

Goalkeepers:  Kieran O’Hara(Burton Albion on loan from Manchester United), Darren Randolph(Middlesbrough), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders:  Ciaran Clark(Newcastle United),  Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan(Sheffield United),  Kevin Long(Burnley), Lee O’Connor(Glasgow Celtic), Enda Stevens(Sheffield United), Derrick Williams(Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Jack Byrne(Shamrock Rovers), Josh Cullen(Charlton Athletic on loan from West Ham United), Jeff Hendrick(Burnley), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa), Alan Judge(Ipswich Town), James McClean(Stoke City), Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City), Glenn Whelan(Heart of Midlothian)
Forwards: James Collins(Luton Town), Scott Hogan(Stoke City on loan from Aston Villa), Sean Maguire(Preston North End), David McGoldrick(Sheffield United), Troy Parrott(Tottenham Hotspur), Callum Robinson(Sheffield United)

Our senior women, with Vera Pauw at the helm, suffered a significant setback and bitter disappointment as they conceded an equaliser in the third minute of added time in their 2021 European Championship qualifier against Greece at the Nea Smyrna Stadium in Panionios on Tuesday afternoon. Ireland were totally dominant throughout the first half and took the lead on 13 minutes through Amber Barrett. However, despite creating several opportunities, we were unable to add a second goal. Further opportunities were created in the second half but again we failed to capitalise on any of them. The inability to take even a few of the chances created is something that seems to haunt Irish teams across the board. This was a match which should have been won and the failure to do so may prove detrimental to our chances of first time qualification for the Championship finals.

Team:
Marie Hourihane; Julie-Ann Russell, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe(C); Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey; Leanne Kiernan, Denise O’Sullivan, Emily Whelan; Amber Barrett

Substitutes:
Keeva Keena for Russell 46′
Stephanie Roche for Barrett 83′

              P   W   D   L    F    A    Pts
Germany       4   4   0   0   31    0    12
Ireland       3   2   1   0    6    3     7
Greece        3   1   1   1    5    6     4
Montenegro    3   0   0   3    0   16     0
Ukraine       3   0   0   3    2   19     0

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihane(SC Brags), Grace Moloney(Reading), Niamh Reid-Burke(Peamount United)
Defenders: Diane Caldwell(SC Sand), Keeva Keena(Glasgow Celtic), Chloe Mustaki(Shelbourne), Eabha O’Mahoney(Cork City), Claire O’Riordan(MSV Duisberg), Louise Quinn(Arsenal), Claire Walsh(Peamount United)[injury withdrawal]
Midfielders: Niamh Fahey(Liverpool), Jamie Finn(Shelbourne), Hayley Nolan(University of Hartford), Denise O’Sullivan(North Carolina Courage), Stephanie Roche(CF Florentia), Tyler Toland(Manchester City), Jessica Ziu(Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett(FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett(Wexford WFC), Leanne Kiernan(West Ham United), Katie McCabe(Arsenal), Julie-Ann Russell(Sydney University), Clare Shine(Glasgow City), Emily Whelan(Shelbourne)

Our U21 manager Stephen Kenny faces a huge challenge following the weekend withdrawal through injury of five members of his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Sweden. Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Masterson, Trevor Clarke, Michael Obafemi and Neil Farrugia have all been ruled out of the Armenia match which together with the elevation of Aaron Connolly and Troy Parrott to the senior ranks, the suspensions of captain Jayson Molumby and Lee O’Connor and the absence of earlier injury victims Luca Connell, Darragh Leahy and Jonathan Afolabi leaves Kenny with an absolutely decimated squad.

There are five late additions to the squad which travels to Armenia in Gavin Bazunu, Kameron Ledwidge, Corey O’Keefe, Simon Power and Anthony Scully.

Revised Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City), Conor Kearns(UCD), 
Defenders: Nathan Collins(Stoke City), Kameron Ledwidge(Southampton), Danny McNamara(Newport County on loan from Millwall), Thomas O’Connor(Gillingham on loan from Southampton), Corey O’Keefe(Macclesfield Town on loan from Birmingham City), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion), Liam Scales(UCD), 
Midfielders: Jack Clarke(Aston Villa), Conor Coventry(West Ham United), Jason Knight(Derby County), Daniel Mandroiu(Bohemian), Connor Ronan(DAC Dunajska Streda on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jack Taylor(Barnet)
Wingers: Zackary Elbouzedi(Waterford), Danny Grant(Bohemian), Gavin Kilkenny(AFC Bournemouth), Simon Power(Ross County on loan from Norwich City) 
Forwards:  Adam Idah(Norwich City), Aidan Keena(Heart of Midlothian), Anthony Scully(West Ham United).

 

The inaugural destination of the Unite the Union Challenge Cup was  decided most emphatically in the second leg played this Monday evening in Oriel Park where Dundalk crushed their visitors Linfield by six goals to nil. The Airtricity League champions and Danske Bank League champions had played out a one all draw in the first leg played in Windsor Park last Friday night.

The ‘Lilywhites’ got off to a sparkling start and took the lead through Georgie Kelly after 7 minutes. Further first half goals from Brian Gartland and Jamie McGrath put them in total control and there were second half goals for Robbie Benson, Kelly again and Pat Hoban.

Our Republic of Ireland U19 Head Coach Tom Mohan has named his 20 player squad for the qualifying stage of the 2020 European U19 Championship in which we travel to Austria to compete in Group 10 with Gibraltar, Switzerland and the host nation. The top two in the group will progress to the next Elite Stage.

Fixtures:
Wednesday 13 November 2019
Austria v Gibraltar
Switzerland v Republic of Ireland
Saturday 16 November 2019
Austria v Switzerland
Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar
Tuesday 19 November 2019
Gibraltar v Switzerland
Republic of Ireland v Austria

Goalkeepers: Sean Bohan(Bohemian), Jimmy Corcoran(Preston North End)
Defenders: Oisin McEntee(Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness(Arsenal), Mazeed Ogungbo(Arsenal), Andrew Omobamidele(Norwich City), Lewis Richards(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Timi Sobowale(Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jamie Bowden(Tottenham Hotspur), Barry Coffey(Glasgow Celtic), Festy Ebosele(Derby County), Conor Noss(Borussia Monchengladbach), Adam O’Reilly(Preston North End), Ross Tierney(Bohemian)  
Forwards: Tom Cannon(Everton), Ryan Cassidy(Watford), Matt Everitt(Brighton & Hove Albion), Alex Gilbert(West Bromwich Albion), Armstrong Oko-Flex(Glasgow Celtic), Tyreik Wright(Aston Villa)