The Left Wing: Rating the Irish Lions and Australia's regrets
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Irish Independent
18 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Conference League qualifiers: St Pat's getting mauled by Besiktas in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers fall behind to Ballkani
Live | Today at 14:00 St Patrick's Athletic take on the might of Turkish side Besiktas, managed by Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while in Kosovo, Shamrock Rovers face Ballkani in tonight's Uefa Conference League third qualifying round first legs. Stephen Kenny's Saints will be up against a stellar Besiktas side at a packed Tallaght Stadium, while Rovers will be aiming to keep their tie alive for next week's second leg at home. Rovers kick-off at 7.30pm Irish time, while St Pat's v Besiktas kicks off at 7.45pm in Tallaght and you can catch all the action here. Uefa Conference League third qualifying round: Ballkani 1 - Shamrock Rovers 0 (7.30pm) (69 mins) Athletic 1 - Besiktas 4 (7.45pm) (56 mins) 3 minutes ago 64' Stephen Bradley has made a couple of alterations after the hour mark with Conor Malley and Michael Noonan taking over from Darragh Nugent and Rory Gaffney. Ballkani make an alteration of their own as Walid Hamidi makes way for Bleart Tolaj. 5 minutes ago Athletic 1 - Besiktas 4 (49 mins) GOAL! What a start for the Saints as Simon Power shows a clean pair of heels to Gabriel Paulista. The former Arsenal and Valencia centre-half is left eating the 27-year-old's dust as he slots it home at the near post despite the advancing frame of Mert Gunok. Not even a VAR review can overturn it. Wonderful stuff! 10 minutes ago 56' GOAL! Ballkani 1 - Shamrock Rovers 0 The Kosovan club have constructed the breakthrough just before the breakthrough here! Shamrock Rovers fail to deal with Ardit Deliu in midfield. The Albanian feeds it wide to Giovanni who slips a ball into Sunday Adetunji. The Nigerian striker has ice in his veins as he cuts inside Lopes and picks out the bottom-left corner. 16 minutes ago 52' CHANCE! Much better from Shamrock Rovers in this second-half as Josh Honohan takes on Potoku out wide and whips a ball into the box. Danny Mandroiu gets to it first, but it's just past the post. 23 minutes ago 46' We are back for the second-half in Kosovo! No changes to report on from either side at the break. Ballkani get the ball rolling from the centre circle. Let's see how this goes for Stephen Bradley's side. 25 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (Half-time) The scoreboard might suggest otherwise, but Stephen Kenny's side started the game well until Besiktas' class took over. Ernest Muci has been running riot down the right, with Joao Mario pulling the strings in midfield. As for their former Premier League striker Tammy Abraham, he's already secured his hattrick in that opening half. League of Ireland on Twitter / X The half-time score in Tallaght Stadium. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 31 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (43 mins) GOAL! Abraham is coolness personified from the penalty spot. Despite the antics of Joseph Anang springing around on the goal-line, the 27-year-old marksman keeps his nerve to send the Saints' goalkeeper the wrong way and roll it into the left corner. 33 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (41 mins) NO GOAL! thought they had pulled one back for a second there! Simon Power's corner found it's way to Jamie Lennon who poked it to the net. However, the Slovenian arbiter had blown for a foul on Gabriel Paulista by Joe Redmond. PENALTY! At the other end, Tammy Abraham is fouled by Jamie Lennon just inside the box. He's on for the hattrick don't forget! 36 minutes ago HALF-TIME: Ballkani 0 - Shamrock Rovers 0 Nothing to separate the sides in southern Kosovo this evening. Aside from a couple of half-chances for Ballkani - Sunday Adetunji's being the pick of the bunch - Rovers will be happy enough with that. When in possession, Dylan Watts has been dangerous from set-pieces, while Rory Gaffney and Danny Mandroiu have been effective. One would imagine Stephen Bradley would be happy to take a result back to Dublin next week. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Nothing to seperate the sides in the opening half. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 43 minutes ago 45' Danny Mandroiu tries an audacious chip over the Ballkani wall from a freekick. Rory Gaffney almost barges his way through a herd of Ballkani bodies, but the Kosovan club clear their lines. We will have 3 minutes of additional time to play at the end of this first-half. 47 minutes ago 39' OFF THE POST! Just minutes after a Dylan Watts freekick caused chaos in the Ballkani box, the hosts' shot-stopper Adnan Golubovic pulls off a sublime save to deny Dan Cleary from an in-swinging corner. A deft touch directed it onto the base of the post. Ballkani have just lost their centre-half Ivico Batarelo to muscle injury as Bajram Jashanica replaces him. 50 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (24 mins) GOAL! The gulf in class is becoming evident in Tallaght now as Besiktas bag their third goal of the evening inside 25 minutes. It's beautiful, one-touch football from the visitors as Joao Mario flicks Orkun Kokcu's pass around the corner for Tammy Abraham. The former Chelsea player muscles Sam Grivosti out of his way and chips it over Anang. Tammy Abraham of Besiktas shoots to score his side's third goal of the evening. . Sportsfile 53 minutes ago 33' CLOSE! Ballkani continue to get joy down the right flank as Dan Cleary clears Geralb Smajli's cross out for a corner. The Kosovan club work the set-piece short to Ardit Deliu on the edge of the box, whose effort whistles past the post. Warning signs. 59 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 2 (14 mins) GOAL! A second goal for Besiktas as Ernest Muci threads a wonderful ball through to the marauding full-back Jonas Svensson. The Norwegian lifts his head and crosses centrally where Joseph Anang gets a touch to it, but the ball falls kindly for Tammy Abraham who rifles home into an empty net. Today 02:58 PM 26' Decent moment for the Hoops as Darragh Nugent digs out a cross for Rory Gaffney in the box. The 35-year-old marksman can't quite extend his neck muscles to get to it. Chance evaporates. Today 02:57 PM 24' Ballkani continue to take the game to Shamrock Rovers so far, but they've yet to create a true goal-scoring opportunity since the low cross from Kryeziu to Adetunji. Today 02:55 PM Athletic 0 - Besiktas 1 (9 mins) GOAL! The Turkish side have broken the deadlock in Tallaght and it's a soft goal to concede from a Saints perspective. Ernest Muci was given space to run into on the right before pulling a pass across the edge of the 18-yard-box. The ball bobbled into the patch of ex-Benfica and West Ham midfielder Joao Mario who found the net with the aid of a deflection. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 8' | First blood to Beşiktaş. João Mário with the goal for the 0-1 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 Today 02:53 PM Athletic 0 - Besiktas 0 (6 mins) have held their own in Tallaght so far. Besiktas just unleashed their first shtike on goal through Jonas Svensson who stung the palms of Joseph Anang, but a foul was given by the Slovenian arbiter for a push in the back of Jason McClelland. Today 02:48 PM 15' SAVE! Ed McGinty is tested again with a powerful effort from right-back Geralb Smajli who tried his luck from range. The 26-year-old gets his body behind it and gathers at the second attempt. A minute later Hoops' midfielder Matt Healy picks up a yellow card for a hefty challenge.
Irish Independent
33 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Conference League qualifiers: St Pat's getting mauled by Besiktas in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers hold Ballkani
Live | Today at 14:00 St Patrick's Athletic take on the might of Turkish side Besiktas, managed by Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while in Kosovo, Shamrock Rovers face Ballkani in tonight's Uefa Conference League third qualifying round first legs. Stephen Kenny's Saints will be up against a stellar Besiktas side at a packed Tallaght Stadium, while Rovers will be aiming to keep their tie alive for next week's second leg at home. Rovers kick-off at 7.30pm Irish time, while St Pat's v Besiktas kicks off at 7.45pm in Tallaght and you can catch all the action here. Uefa Conference League third qualifying round: Ballkani 0 - Shamrock Rovers 0 (7.30pm) (53 mins) Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (7.45pm) (Half-time) 2 minutes ago 52' CHANCE! Much better from Shamrock Rovers in this second-half as Josh Honohan takes on Potoku out wide and whips a ball into the box. Danny Mandroiu gets to it first, but it's just past the post. 9 minutes ago 46' We are back for the second-half in Kosovo! No changes to report on from either side at the break. Ballkani get the ball rolling from the centre circle. Let's see how this goes for Stephen Bradley's side. 10 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (Half-time) The scoreboard might suggest otherwise, but Stephen Kenny's side started the game well until Besiktas' class took over. Ernest Muci has been running riot down the right, with Joao Mario pulling the strings in midfield. As for their former Premier League striker Tammy Abraham, he's already secured his hattrick in that opening half. League of Ireland on Twitter / X The half-time score in Tallaght Stadium. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 16 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (43 mins) GOAL! Abraham is coolness personified from the penalty spot. Despite the antics of Joseph Anang springing around on the goal-line, the 27-year-old marksman keeps his nerve to send the Saints' goalkeeper the wrong way and roll it into the left corner. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 43' | A hat-trick for Tammy Abraham as he converts from the penalty 0-4 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 18 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (41 mins) NO GOAL! thought they had pulled one back for a second there! Simon Power's corner found it's way to Jamie Lennon who poked it to the net. However, the Slovenian arbiter had blown for a foul on Gabriel Paulista by Joe Redmond. PENALTY! At the other end, Tammy Abraham is fouled by Jamie Lennon just inside the box. He's on for the hattrick don't forget! 22 minutes ago HALF-TIME: Ballkani 0 - Shamrock Rovers 0 Nothing to separate the sides in southern Kosovo this evening. Aside from a couple of half-chances for Ballkani - Sunday Adetunji's being the pick of the bunch - Rovers will be happy enough with that. When in possession, Dylan Watts has been dangerous from set-pieces, while Rory Gaffney and Danny Mandroiu have been effective. One would imagine Stephen Bradley would be happy to take a result back to Dublin next week. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Nothing to seperate the sides in the opening half. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 28 minutes ago 45' Danny Mandroiu tries an audacious chip over the Ballkani wall from a freekick. Rory Gaffney almost barges his way through a herd of Ballkani bodies, but the Kosovan club clear their lines. We will have 3 minutes of additional time to play at the end of this first-half. 32 minutes ago 39' OFF THE POST! Just minutes after a Dylan Watts freekick caused chaos in the Ballkani box, the hosts' shot-stopper Adnan Golubovic pulls off a sublime save to deny Dan Cleary from an in-swinging corner. A deft touch directed it onto the base of the post. Ballkani have just lost their centre-half Ivico Batarelo to muscle injury as Bajram Jashanica replaces him. 35 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (24 mins) GOAL! The gulf in class is becoming evident in Tallaght now as Besiktas bag their third goal of the evening inside 25 minutes. It's beautiful, one-touch football from the visitors as Joao Mario flicks Orkun Kokcu's pass around the corner for Tammy Abraham. The former Chelsea player muscles Sam Grivosti out of his way and chips it over Anang. 39 minutes ago 33' CLOSE! Ballkani continue to get joy down the right flank as Dan Cleary clears Geralb Smajli's cross out for a corner. The Kosovan club work the set-piece short to Ardit Deliu on the edge of the box, whose effort whistles past the post. Warning signs. 44 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 2 (14 mins) GOAL! A second goal for Besiktas as Ernest Muci threads a wonderful ball through to the marauding full-back Jonas Svensson. The Norwegian lifts his head and crosses centrally where Joseph Anang gets a touch to it, but the ball falls kindly for Tammy Abraham who rifles home into an empty net. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 14' | Beşiktaş have a second. Tammy Abraham the scorer on this 0-2 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 47 minutes ago 26' Decent moment for the Hoops as Darragh Nugent digs out a cross for Rory Gaffney in the box. The 35-year-old marksman can't quite extend his neck muscles to get to it. Chance evaporates. 49 minutes ago 24' Ballkani continue to take the game to Shamrock Rovers so far, but they've yet to create a true goal-scoring opportunity since the low cross from Kryeziu to Adetunji. 50 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 1 (9 mins) GOAL! The Turkish side have broken the deadlock in Tallaght and it's a soft goal to concede from a Saints perspective. Ernest Muci was given space to run into on the right before pulling a pass across the edge of the 18-yard-box. The ball bobbled into the patch of ex-Benfica and West Ham midfielder Joao Mario who found the net with the aid of a deflection. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 8' | First blood to Beşiktaş. João Mário with the goal for the 0-1 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 53 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 0 (6 mins) have held their own in Tallaght so far. Besiktas just unleashed their first shtike on goal through Jonas Svensson who stung the palms of Joseph Anang, but a foul was given by the Slovenian arbiter for a push in the back of Jason McClelland. 57 minutes ago 15' SAVE! Ed McGinty is tested again with a powerful effort from right-back Geralb Smajli who tried his luck from range. The 26-year-old gets his body behind it and gathers at the second attempt. A minute later Hoops' midfielder Matt Healy picks up a yellow card for a hefty challenge. Today 02:44 PM 12' CLOSE! Best chance of the game thus far as Almir Kryeziu finds space down the left-hand side of the Hoops rearguard. The Kosovan winger tried to square it for the onrushing Adetunji, but Ed McGinty got a vital touch to redirect the cross. Today 02:43 PM Impressive tifo display from St Pat's fans: Today 02:40 PM John McKenna and his wife Namu Kwon: 'We're the first Rovers supporters in. Officials here super helpful. Wouldn't take money for letting us in.' Live Blog Software
Irish Independent
43 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Conference League qualifiers: St Pat's getting routed by Besiktas in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers contain Ballkani
Live | St Patrick's Athletic take on the might of Turkish side Besiktas, managed by Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while in Kosovo, Shamrock Rovers face Ballkani in tonight's Uefa Conference League third qualifying round first legs. Stephen Kenny's Saints will be up against a stellar Besiktas side at a packed Tallaght Stadium, while Rovers will be aiming to keep their tie alive for next week's second leg at home. Rovers kick-off at 7.30pm Irish time, while St Pat's v Besiktas kicks off at 7.45pm in Tallaght and you can catch all the action here. Just now Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (Half-time) The scoreboard might suggest otherwise, but Stephen Kenny's side started the game well until Besiktas' class took over. Ernest Muci has been running riot down the right, with Joao Mario pulling the strings in midfield. As for their former Premier League striker Tammy Abraham, he's already secured his hattrick in that opening half. 6 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 4 (43 mins) GOAL! Abraham is coolness personified from the penalty spot. Despite the antics of Joseph Anang springing around on the goal-line, the 27-year-old marksman keeps his nerve to send the Saints' goalkeeper the wrong way and roll it into the left corner. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 43' | A hat-trick for Tammy Abraham as he converts from the penalty 0-4 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 8 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (41 mins) NO GOAL! thought they had pulled one back for a second there! Simon Power's corner found it's way to Jamie Lennon who poked it to the net. However, the Slovenian arbiter had blown for a foul on Gabriel Paulista by Joe Redmond. PENALTY! At the other end, Tammy Abraham is fouled by Jamie Lennon just inside the box. He's on for the hattrick don't forget! 11 minutes ago HALF-TIME: Ballkani 0 - Shamrock Rovers 0 Nothing to separate the sides in southern Kosovo this evening. Aside from a couple of half-chances for Ballkani - Sunday Adetunji's being the pick of the bunch - Rovers will be happy enough with that. When in possession, Dylan Watts has been dangerous from set-pieces, while Rory Gaffney and Danny Mandroiu have been effective. One would imagine Stephen Bradley would be happy to take a result back to Dublin next week. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Nothing to seperate the sides in the opening half. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 18 minutes ago 45' Danny Mandroiu tries an audacious chip over the Ballkani wall from a freekick. Rory Gaffney almost barges his way through a herd of Ballkani bodies, but the Kosovan club clear their lines. We will have 3 minutes of additional time to play at the end of this first-half. 22 minutes ago 39' OFF THE POST! Just minutes after a Dylan Watts freekick caused chaos in the Ballkani box, the hosts' shot-stopper Adnan Golubovic pulls off a sublime save to deny Dan Cleary from an in-swinging corner. A deft touch directed it onto the base of the post. Ballkani have just lost their centre-half Ivico Batarelo to muscle injury as Bajram Jashanica replaces him. 25 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 3 (24 mins) GOAL! The gulf in class is becoming evident in Tallaght now as Besiktas bag their third goal of the evening inside 25 minutes. It's beautiful, one-touch football from the visitors as Joao Mario flicks Orkun Kokcu's pass around the corner for Tammy Abraham. The former Chelsea player muscles Sam Grivosti out of his way and chips it over Anang. 29 minutes ago 33' CLOSE! Ballkani continue to get joy down the right flank as Dan Cleary clears Geralb Smajli's cross out for a corner. The Kosovan club work the set-piece short to Ardit Deliu on the edge of the box, whose effort whistles past the post. Warning signs. 34 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 2 (14 mins) GOAL! A second goal for Besiktas as Ernest Muci threads a wonderful ball through to the marauding full-back Jonas Svensson. The Norwegian lifts his head and crosses centrally where Joseph Anang gets a touch to it, but the ball falls kindly for Tammy Abraham who rifles home into an empty net. 37 minutes ago 26' Decent moment for the Hoops as Darragh Nugent digs out a cross for Rory Gaffney in the box. The 35-year-old marksman can't quite extend his neck muscles to get to it. Chance evaporates. 39 minutes ago 24' Ballkani continue to take the game to Shamrock Rovers so far, but they've yet to create a true goal-scoring opportunity since the low cross from Kryeziu to Adetunji. 40 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 1 (9 mins) GOAL! The Turkish side have broken the deadlock in Tallaght and it's a soft goal to concede from a Saints perspective. Ernest Muci was given space to run into on the right before pulling a pass across the edge of the 18-yard-box. The ball bobbled into the patch of ex-Benfica and West Ham midfielder Joao Mario who found the net with the aid of a deflection. League of Ireland on Twitter / X 8' | First blood to Beşiktaş. João Mário with the goal for the 0-1 BJK League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 7, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 43 minutes ago Athletic 0 - Besiktas 0 (6 mins) have held their own in Tallaght so far. Besiktas just unleashed their first shtike on goal through Jonas Svensson who stung the palms of Joseph Anang, but a foul was given by the Slovenian arbiter for a push in the back of Jason McClelland. 47 minutes ago 15' SAVE! Ed McGinty is tested again with a powerful effort from right-back Geralb Smajli who tried his luck from range. The 26-year-old gets his body behind it and gathers at the second attempt. A minute later Hoops' skipper Roberto Lopes picks up a yellow card for a hefty challenge. 51 minutes ago 12' CLOSE! Best chance of the game thus far as Almir Kryeziu finds space down the left-hand side of the Hoops rearguard. The Kosovan winger tried to square it for the onrushing Adetunji, but Ed McGinty got a vital touch to redirect the cross. 55 minutes ago John McKenna and his wife Namu Kwon: 'We're the first Rovers supporters in. Officials here super helpful. Wouldn't take money for letting us in.' 56 minutes ago BESKITAS TEAM NEWS: There's no shortage of talent at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's disposal as Besiktas roll into town with Mert Gunok getting the nod in goals, while ex-Arsenal centre-half Gabriel Paulista is joined by Jonas Svensson in defence. Orkun Kokcu slots into the double pivot behind Portuguese internationals Rafa Silva and Joao Mario, while ex-Chelsea marksman Tammy Abraham leads the line. Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of few noticeable absentees for the Turkish giants: Beşiktaş JK on Twitter / X BEŞİKTAŞ XI 🦅⬛⬜ @HondaTR Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) August 7, 2025 57 minutes ago HERE'S HOW THE SAINTS LINE UP: With a big challenge against Turkish opposition this evening, Stephen Kenny has made three changes from his side that defeated Waterford 2-0 last Sunday. Joseph Anang remains between the posts, while Ryan McLaughlin and Jason McClelland take up full-back positions. Sam Grivosti joins captain Joe Redmond in defence, with an unchanged midfield of Forrester, Lennon and Leavy. Up top, Jake Mulraney and Mason Melia are joined by the incoming Simon Power. Zach Elbouzedi (shoulder) and Romal Palmer are unavailable through injury: St Patrick's Athletic FC on Twitter / X Our Saints to face BeşiktaşChris Forrester comes in for Barry Baggley in our only change from last week's win in Estonia A strong bench includes new boys Darren Robinson & Jordon Garrick & Academy teenagers Kian Quigley & Billy Hayes #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) August 7, 2025
