Ferguson latest as three Irish players star in six-goal display against Wycombe
However, there was no sign of Boys in Green forward Evan Ferguson, who looks set for a move to Serie A giants Roma.
Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler fielded a total of 21 players during the game, played behind closed doors at Brighton's Elite Football Performance Centre, with the team largely changed at half-time.
Andrew Moran was the first Irishman to come into the action when he replaced James Milner on the half-hour. Moran also completed the second-half, while Eiran Cashin and Jamie Mullins also featured in the second-half XI.
Moran and Mullins impressed in the final-third, but Ferguson's absence will only fuel speculation that a move to Roma is close.
According to reports in Italy, the Ireland striker is keen on the move, while the two clubs are working to finalise a deal, which would initially be a loan switch.
Ferguson could be a Roma player by next week, unless other clubs, such as Serie A rivals Atalanta, make 11th hour efforts to sign the 20-year-old.
Popular sports outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that Roma's sporting director Frederic Massara is working to finalise a deal as soon as possible.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
21 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Visa appeal timeframe 'prevents' trip, says GAA Palestine
GAA Palestine has said it has been told by the Department of Justice that a process to appeal the denial of visas for their trip this month would take an "indefinite amount of time" and so "effectively prevents" the team's scheduled trip to Ireland from going ahead. A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland for a summer tour this Friday 18 July, but were denied entry. Last week, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration cited a lack of compliance to visa application criteria as reasons for denying the visas. The GAA Palestine organisation said it would be appealing the decision. However in a statement last night, it expressed "outrage" over the Department of Justice's handling of the issue, saying it was "profoundly disappointed" over its "refusal to facilitate" the trip. It said that despite numerous attempts to engage, the department provided an appeals process that "guarantees the trip cannot proceed within the timeframe required". "We requested the Department of Justice to engage directly with us to verify and provide assurance that all documentation was in order, but our efforts were met with silence," it said. The organisation's executive travelled to Dublin to seek clarity and a resolution to the case, but said despite assurances from a secretary within the department that they would meet a senior officer, they instead received an email directing them to an appeals process. "This process, we are told, will take an indefinite amount of time and effectively prevents the team from travelling on 18th July." The organisation also said that it stands to lose €38,000 which was spent on tickets for flights to Ireland, while it considers alternative locations for a summer camp. It has called on Irish authorities to reconsider their visa application and facilitate the team's trip. The organisation's founder Stephen Redmond said they were "deeply disheartened and outraged". "Despite providing all necessary documentation and engaging in good faith, we have been met with dismissiveness and an appeals process that, in reality, guarantees our trip will not happen. This is not just a logistical setback; it's a blatant disregard for fairness, transparency, and the spirit of sport that unites us all." Mr Redmond said the organisation's executive will remain in Dublin and are hopeful that a resolution can be found. "We genuinely want to come together and work constructively to remedy this situation. We are ready and available to engage in meaningful dialogue and to explore any options that might allow our players to participate," he said. "Our players deserve better, and we will continue to fight for their right to participate and showcase their talent." In a statement, the department said it appreciated the decision to refuse the applications had caused disappointment, and added: "These applications were given very careful consideration and the reasons for their refusal have been communicated in the decision letter. "Each visa application is decided on its own merits. However, it is the case that the organisation of an event, no matter how good the intention, does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. "Applications made on behalf of minors who are not travelling in the company of their parents must be supported with evidence that appropriate child protection measures are in place during the visit. In all cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria." The department said the visa appeals process allows applicants to address any factors of the original refusal decision and have that application considered again. The statement added: "No appeal has been received in this case and no new material has been submitted – any appeal received will be looked at immediately."
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Nagging fear that League of Ireland outfit will become a casualty of growing multi-club model
IF it seems like it was only recently that Cobh Ramblers chairman Bill O'Leary was heralding new owners for the club, well, that is because he was. And if Mick McDermott's side succeed in winning promotion, there will be an obvious temptation to turn a blind eye to what went on off the pitch. But we are now in an era in which long-standing community institutions are being bought and sold with increasing ease and regularity. And, however much the credentials of previously-unknown investors are stressed, it is hard to get away from the nagging fear that, sooner or later, there will be a casualty. It has not been a good few weeks for the multi-club model with Drogheda United excluded and John Textor — the American who held a 77 per cent stake in Read More On Irish Football They had relegated Lyon from the top flight — with an accompanying agreement not to enter the Europa League — because of concerns over the club's sustainability. But an appeal was successful. Textor accused the DNGC of refusing to take into account the annual average of sales worth €100million of players who had come through the club's underage structure. But that number was not the one which would have grabbed most people's attention as Textor spoke of the 'cashpooling' which went on between Lyon and Brazilian club Botafogo, where he has a 90 per cent stake. He said the French club benefitted to the tune of €125m over a 12-month period with €65m going the other way with the flows occurring to deal with 'counter-seasonality'. Most read in Football And, if the way he portrayed it suggested Lyon had benefitted from this arrangement, a report from L'Equipe suggested differently. It claimed Lyon paid the salaries of 54 players when they had only 30 players in their squad, because it was also covering wages for Botafogo with a further €91m used to sign three players for the Rio outfit. Lamine Yamal faces government investigation after 'dwarfs are hired to perform at mafia-themed 18th birthday party' There has, thankfully, been nothing of this scale seen in Ireland but the slew of anecdotes from Peak6's stewardship of Dundalk will never cease to amuse. What has happened at Oriel Park since is a reminder that having local owners guarantees neither stability nor success. But there's an element of reassurance that comes with a proprietor that has a connection to the area. Each outside investor or owner deserves to be assessed on their own merits. But there have been enough issues elsewhere for there to be grounds for concern about the multi-club model and its increasing prevalence here. 1 Drogheda fans were denied a chance to go on a European tour this summer When O'Leary welcomed FC32 in October, he referred to it being 'a potentially transformative deal. It recognizes our history, our relatively strong operating and financial models and positions us for growth in so many areas into the future'. Presumably, he envisaged that future as lasting more than six months but, by the start of April, the club was distancing itself from the group. FC32 had already pulled the plug on its funding of Austrian outfit SKN St Polten after their purchase of Spezia in Italy. RAMBLERS TAKEOVER So, no wonder Ramblers were pleased with Its website says its 'company-building mentality drives strategic, operational, and financial services that transform clubs into championship organizations'. Ramblers have yet to be added to the 'partners' section which, as of now, contains just one entry with DAV saying it is the proud sponsor of Marc Anthony's E1 Team Miami which represents the city in the world's first all-electric powerboat racing championship. The club statement thanked Eric Perez who 'represented and supported the club throughout the transaction'. You might recognise the Canadian's name as the owner of Truro City. Last week, he and Nick Giannotti acquired a 50 per cent stake in Irish League outfit Larne. Five days before that announcement, in a post on Athlone Town's website, Giannotti There were no details provided on whether this was a takeover or investment and who else was involved. The new Athlone chairman is also a Will this web have implications for day-to-day business? Experiences elsewhere suggest that is possible. 'PARTY LINE' Last month, Keith Long spoke on Long said: 'When you're part of a multi-club model, recruitment decisions are sometimes made for you. "Fleetwood have a great network but I've great experience in terms of the League of Ireland and knowing what it takes to win games. 'You're part of a multi-club group and when an owner decides X, Y or Z happens, you've got to toe the party line.' Long did not describe it in purely negative terms and the Blues have benefitted from the association. In January 2024, they had two bids for Tommy Lonergan turned down by St Pat's. Fleetwood then met his get-out clause of €60,000 and the only surprise about him being loaned to Waterford was that it did not happen until 12 months later. Similarly, being owned by the Trivela Group, who also own Walsall and Silkeborg, has been good for Drogheda. Douglas James-Taylor's 12-month loan saw him play a key role in their FAI Cup win and them retaining their top-flight status. The striker He said: 'It's a tricky one because it's the same conversation with the same people but two different clubs.' Although he may have been surplus to requirements at Walsall, Kevin Doherty wanted to keep him. EXTRA CONSIDERATION The owners' mistaken belief that significant compensation would result if another League of Ireland club signed him led to them being caught out with Bohemians landing him on a free. This was despite Drogheda receiving nothing in a similar situation when James Brown Coming hot on the heels of Drogheda losing out on European football as a result of Silkeborg qualifying because they missed a deadline to place one of the clubs into a blind trust to satisfy Uefa's rules on ownership, it was another costly mistake. Running a sustainable Irish football club is extremely difficult. Running one as part of a group where competing interests have to be taken into account does not make it any easier. And there is an ever-present fear that, if multi-club owners decide they have to ditch one of their interests, there is a good chance that it will be the Irish one — which is never the senior partner in any of these arrangements — that may bear the brunt of it. While Ramblers have managed it this time, finding someone to pick up the pieces may not always prove so easy.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Man Utd legend Eric Cantona set for live appearance at Louth venue
An Evening with Eric The King Cantona will feature the French football icon in conversation, offering insights into his playing career, personal philosophy and post football ventures. Organisers have confirmed this will be Cantona's only scheduled appearance in Ireland this year. Cantona, who played a central role in Manchester United's dominance during the 1990s, is known for his leadership on the pitch and his outspoken personality off it. He was instrumental in United's resurgence under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups between 1992 and 1997. The Drogheda event will follow a theatre style format and is expected to cover key moments from Cantona's career including his time at Leeds United, his move to Old Trafford and his eventual retirement from professional football in 1997. While there will be no open audience Q and A, premium ticket packages such as the Gold Package offer attendees enhanced seating and potential opportunities for a meet and greet. Tickets are available now via official channels including the venue's website and prices vary depending on seating and package tiers. Organisers have encouraged early booking due to high demand and limited capacity. Cantona's visit to The TLT marks a notable moment for Irish football fans offering a chance to hear directly from one of the sport's most compelling figures. His influence both on and off the field continues to resonate with supporters around the world.
