The Donegal players, their bench and management team assessed
1 Shaun Patton
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Irish Independent
23 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
‘Incredible' Ava Canning stars in Ireland's opening T20 success against Pakistan
The Girls in Green were bowled out for 142 and after a solid powerplay from the visitors the momentum swung to the home side as Leinster medium-pacer Canning and leg-spinner Cara Murray turned the screw. Canning bowled her four overs off the reel, including a maiden, and Pakistan had no answer to her stock ball which is delivered from wide of the crease and swings into the batter, with a packed off-side field. Orla Prendergast took wickets at the top and bottom of the innings for figures of 3-28 which allied to 29 runs with the bat won her the player-of-the-match award. 'Ava's was an incredible spell,' Prendergast said. 'Four overs on the trot and one of those at the end of the powerplay – which is always the trickiest to bowl. 'She gave them very little width and really attacked the stumps which is what she was asked to do. 'Clontarf is a hard ground to defend a score on because shots run away to the boundary that wouldn't on other grounds.' Amy Hunter top-scored with 37 from 30 balls, including five boundaries, but Leah Paul was the pick of the batters, playing a gloriously impudent reverse sweep in her 28 off 19, while Laura Delany hit the only six of the innings. The victory stretched Ireland's winning streak in T20 internationals to eight and skipper Gaby Lewis is targeting another clean sweep with matches to follow at Castle Avenue on Friday and on Sunday. 'We can't get complacent, we have to keep improving,' Lewis said. 'Yeah, we got the win but we're looking to take a 3-0 here and we're very confident we can do that.'
Irish Times
40 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirms he was approached by FAI to take Ireland job
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed he was approached by the FAI to replace Stephen Kenny as the Republic of Ireland head coach. Solskjær, speaking ahead of the Turkish club's Uefa Conference League qualifier against the Kenny-managed St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night, confirmed that discussions occurred during the Association's calamitous 231-day search. Heimir Hallgrímsson eventually accepted the role in July 2024 on an 18-month contract. 'We had some good conversations,' said Solskjær, 'but in the end it did not turn out that way. READ MORE 'I am very happy where I am now.' When pressed for details on his dealings with the FAI's former chief football officer Marc Canham, the former Manchester United manager added: 'That was confidential.' A comedic moment followed at the pre-match press conference, as the diligent but confused Turkish translator needed Solskjær to explain what had just happened: 'Who is Stephen Kay-ney?' 'Stephen Kenny is the coach of St Patrick's,' the Norwegian quietly explained. 'He was the coach of Ireland before and, after him, the Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach.' Diplomacy in motion, Solskjær had strolled into the Tallaght Stadium press room 15 minutes ahead of time and made himself a cup of tea before hailing the burgeoning talent of Mason Melia . None of this bodes well for St Pat's. Solskjær and Besiktas have done their homework following the Saints' 0-0 result last season against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League playoff. Also, crucially, there are reports of Roberto Mancini being parachuted into the Besiktas hot-seat after a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk saw them drop from the Europa League to the Conference League. Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær signs a shirt for Adam McGill at Tallaght Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'We are ready for a difficult game,' said Solskjær. 'We know from 0-0 against Basaksehir that we will have to fight. We know that St Patrick's have found form. 'They have a young striker who is really exciting. I am sure you all have the same thoughts that I have about him. The next one. The young lad coming through. I think Tottenham have made a good signing. We know we need to watch him.' With 91 goals from 235 appearances in the Premier League, the 52-year-old coach (he looks 35) was best placed to answer the next question: Does Mason Melia possess the tools to make it at Spurs? 'When you perform at this level at 17, definitely. You see a mature finisher. His movement, the goal he scored against Waterford, the way he spun off the centre back, the way he timed his run, of course. 'I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I always follow the young players when I see them early in their careers. There are a few decent players I played with from Ireland so I have a fond eye for Irish players.' A slim, skilful centre forward, does Melia remind the Norwegian of anyone? 'Well, he is a proper number nine. He can play off the shoulder. He is very good at link-up play and coming short. Good finisher. He has the world ahead of him. I am sure he will have a very good career. Eight, nine days from now I wish him all the best.' Again, the fact that Besiktas have already reviewed the 2-0 win in Waterford last Sunday doesn't bode well for St Pat's hopes of a generational upset. 'A centre forward who is lively, with very good movement, wide men who are very tricky with quick feet,' Ole added. 'You know they are very good at counterattacks and defensively solid. 'Stephen's record speaks for itself, he will be true to himself, he like his teams to play. I'm probably the same. 'Actually, Ryan McLaughlin he played for Mike Marsh, one of my assistants, and Joseph Anang played for my goalkeeper coach, so we know a bit more than the normal scouting.' Bad news for St Pat's perhaps, very bad news with a second leg in Istanbul to follow.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he could have been Ireland manager after Stephen Kenny
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he could have succeeded Stephen Kenny as Ireland boss. The two managers go head-to-head at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night when St Pat's host Turkish giants Besiktas in the Europa Conference League third qualifying round. Manchester United legend Solskjaer was briefly linked with the vacant Ireland job last year, following Kenny's departure. At the time, the Norwegian played down the links and the FAI ended up appointing Heimir Hallgrimsson as Kenny's successor in July 2024. But on Wednesday evening, Solskjaer confirmed he was in talks about the job. Besiktas boss Solskjaer said: "Yeah, I had some good conversations. But in the end it didn't turn out that way and I'm happy where I am now.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Asked how far the discussions went with the FAI, he said: 'That would be confidential. We had some good chats. After him (Kenny), the Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach.' Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Tallaght Stadium ahead of St Pat's v Besiktas (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Solskjaer took charge of Besiktas in January this year, but he is under fire following the recent 6-2 aggregate Europa League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. 'Pressure is a privilege, it's something we thrive on,' said Solskjaer ahead of Thursday's game with 7,000 tickets sold as of Wednesday evening, and heading towards a sellout. 'We need it to play at our best. When results go against you, you don't enjoy that period but it's a chance to show character, show individual character. 'It's a bumpy road football, and you have to manoeuvre it and accept it. If you don't get results, there will be criticism, if you win every day you are still not perfect. 'We're in all these competitions to win every single game and we want to go as far in this one, to the final, that is our dream.' St Pat's boss Stephen Kenny knows his side are big outsiders to progress over two legs and reach the playoffs. Today, ex-Ireland boss Kenny said: 'It would be one of the great victories in Irish football history if we could do it. But obviously it's a big challenge and Beşiktaş have a tremendous tradition and are an institution in Turkey, a big club.' Yet Solskjaer is just as wary of St Pat's, and not least having held their Turkish league rivals Istanbul Basaksehir to a scoreless draw here in Europe last summer. 'If you think we think we are better than them, you're wrong,' he said in Tallaght last night. 'We respect absolutely every opponent, I'm sure they want to win, expect to win. 'Last year they got one step further than this, so I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.' And former Red Devils striker Solskjaer is up to speed on the threat that teenage striker Mason Melia - who is joining Tottenham in January - possesses. 'When you perform at that level at 17, of course (you notice). We see his movement, his goal against Waterford, the way he spun off a centre back and timed his run,' he added. 'I don't want to put pressure on him, but I always follow young players. I've got a few decent players from Ireland that I played with, so I'm fond of Irish players. 'But he reminds me of a proper No. 9. He can play off the shoulder, he likes to come short as well and he's a good finisher. He's got the world ahead of ahead of him and I wish him all the best, but after the next eight or nine days!.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
