logo
Dundalk's JR Wilson hoping to cause a cup upset against former club Sligo Rovers

Dundalk's JR Wilson hoping to cause a cup upset against former club Sligo Rovers

FAI Cup – Dundalk v Sligo Rovers (Friday July 18, 7.45pm)
The Argus
Today at 15:30
Having played in both divisions in recent years, JR Wilson admits there is 'night and day' between the Premier Division and the First Division of the League of Ireland.
However, the Dundalk fullback doesn't expect there to be much between his new side and his old club Sligo Rovers when the pair go head-to-head in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park this Friday night.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stephen Kenny wants 'any sort of win' to fire St Pat's European hopes
Stephen Kenny wants 'any sort of win' to fire St Pat's European hopes

RTÉ News​

time2 hours ago

  • RTÉ News​

Stephen Kenny wants 'any sort of win' to fire St Pat's European hopes

Stephen Kenny has say "any sort of win" will do for St Patrick's Athletic against Nomme JK Kalju on Thursday night in the first leg of their Conference League second-round qualifier at Richmond Park (7.45pm kick-off). Buoyed by their impressive 2-0 win against Hegelmann in Lithuania last week, which was followed by an 8-0 FAI Cup hammering of UCC, the Saints are looking to maintain momentum. Having endured a barren spell in front of goal, things might just be starting to click but Kenny warned they're facing a stiff challenge against Kalju, who are currently fourth in the Estonian top flight. "We've done a fair degree of homework on them," Kenny told RTÉ Sport. "They are a fit and energetic team and finished second in their league last year, splitting the two Tallinn teams, Levadia and Flora. They work on 3-4-2-1 model, very energetic, very fit and have a good Brazilian attacking player. "We'll have to be at our best to put in a good performance. They are full-time professionals so this will be a tough game for us, with the winners getting either Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk (in the next round). It's the toughest draw we could have got but it's still a big incentive to get through." "You're then searching for answers but thankfully we've managed to get back scoring goals." Kenny has been adamant that his team's performance levels have been good despite patchy league form, pointing to a costly profligacy in front of goal which has cost them points. Now the ex-Republic of Ireland boss says he's seeing evidence they've turned a corner. "We've had five clean sheets so the players are defending well and our general play has been terrific over the last couple of weeks," he added. "Our finishing has let us down at times so it was good to get those three goals (over the two legs) in Europe and we got eight at the weekend against the non-league team (UCC). Last season we finished top scorers in the league but this season we hit a barren period where we just couldn't finish despite dominating games. "You're then searching for answers but thankfully we've managed to get back scoring goals and we've been good at the other end in not conceding." Kenny also had a good luck message for Evan Ferguson, who has sealed an eye-catching loan move to Roma. "We picked Evan (for Ireland) before he made his debut for Brighton and then he scored on his first start against Latvia, a friendly, and then he played his first competitive game against France in the Aviva which was an epic game," he said. "Going to Roma is a great opportunity so why wouldn't he take an opportunity like that, to go to Italy? I sincerely wish him well." Meanwhile Saints midfielder Jamie Lennon is fit and raring to go against Nomme JK Kalju. Lennon has fully shaken off an ankle knock he's been nursing over the last week as he targets another forward step in Europe. "We know the next task is going to be much more difficult, but the performance level (against Hegelmann) was really good," the 27-year-old said. "We struggled for goals ever since the break to be fair, since we've come back we've struggled for goals. We haven't struggled for chances though, which I suppose is a positive thing. We're getting in the right areas, we just haven't been clinical enough. "I think the goal here against Hegelmann (in the 1-0 first-leg victory) was a big moment for us, I think it gave the attacking players confidence going over there that they could get a couple more and they did. "Now that we're actually taking some of our chances I think the confidence will just continue to build." While Ferguson looks to reignite his club career in Italy, another young Irish striker will be aiming to further embellish his reputation this week. Mason Melia will join Tottenham in January, but could give St Pat's the perfect parting gift if he continues to shine in Europe as they aim to reach the Conference League league stage. "He's obviously a hugely talented player, a great person as well," Lennon said of the 17-year-old. "He'll have a really good career but he's a big part of what we're trying to do this season and especially in Europe. He has the potential to be an elite player, we're happy to have him for the moment. "His strength and agility, the way he can move as quick with the ball as without the ball is really good. It's hard to believe that he's still only a kid."

Shelbourne looking to pull off a shock and take Qarabag scalp
Shelbourne looking to pull off a shock and take Qarabag scalp

Irish Times

time12 hours ago

  • Irish Times

Shelbourne looking to pull off a shock and take Qarabag scalp

Champions League second qualifying round, first leg: Shelbourne v Qarabag, Tolka Park, 7.45pm – Live on Premier Sports 1 Life inside a League of Ireland club never slows, especially for Shelbourne in the middle of a Champions League campaign that has them welcoming European specialists Qarabag to Dublin before next week's second leg in Azerbaijan when Joey O'Brien's squad is expected to be rerouted to the Europa League. If Shelbourne can pull off a shock and progress to round three, the winners of Steaua Bucharest and Shkëndija of North Macedonia will be waiting. It is a side note this week, but on Tuesday Shels drew St Patrick's Athletic away in the last 16 of the FAI Cup . 'Great draw,' said O'Brien. 'That's what football is all about, Dublin derbies. Coming from just around the corner, these are the games I loved playing in. If you want to win the Cup you have to take a few big scalps.' READ MORE Qarabag would be a big scalp. Shelbourne have moved with haste to address Conor Kearns's hamstring injury sustained during last week's 2-1 win on aggregate over Linfield. In comes the imposing Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel, on loan from Minnesota United, with the 23-year-old possibly starting the second leg in Baku next Wednesday. In the meantime, Lorcan Healy is set to cover for Kearns at Tolka Park. 'I've full confidence, Lorcan's in tomorrow, he has the jersey and it's up to him to perform,' said O'Brien as Speel finished his photo shoot on the Tolka pitch. '[Speel] came on to our radar about six months ago, we've been following him since then. An opportunity came up for him to come in, the situation with Conor being out.' Shelbourne's Lorcan Healy will cover for injured Conor Kearns. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho This fixture has come too soon for Jack Henry-Francis, a 21-year-old defensive midfielder who arrived from Arsenal last week, but Mark Coyle has shaken off the knee issue he sustained against Linfield at Windsor Park. [ Shelbourne survive spirited Linfield to reach Champions League second round qualifiers Opens in new window ] 'Since Jack left Arsenal he's missed a good chunk of time. We need to get him going over the next weeks, so he should be ready to go in the next round.' It would be easy to suggest that Shelbourne are in bonus territory, with Uefa prize money of over €1 million guaranteed, but they are in a strong position to reach the Conference League group stages. Defeats to Qarabag, a squad valued at €24.15 million on to Shelbourne's €3 million, and Europa League opponents would see Shels playing a Conference playoff to bank a guaranteed €3.17 million. [ Shelbourne learn potential opponents as they chase lucrative qualification for European group stages Opens in new window ] 'It's a home game for us, there's going to be a great atmosphere here,' said O'Brien. 'As I said to the lads earlier on, I'm going to attack it, try and get on the front foot. 'Obviously we know they are going to be a quality team, they have some serious players. At home, the way I want to be as a player and want my team to play, I want to attack and get on the front foot and show our personality and our quality.' The dangerous Brazilian Kady Borges, who featured for Robbie Keane's Hungarian champions Ferencváros last season, will test the concentration levels of Kerr McInroy as Shels are forced to adopt a defensive approach. An obvious advantage for O'Brien's battle-hardened team is that Qarabag arrive undercooked, having only played preseason friendlies against Twente and Salzburg.

Dundalk set to receive club-record transfer fee for Sean Keogh from Brighton
Dundalk set to receive club-record transfer fee for Sean Keogh from Brighton

RTÉ News​

timea day ago

  • RTÉ News​

Dundalk set to receive club-record transfer fee for Sean Keogh from Brighton

Dundalk FC full-back Sean Keogh is expected to secure a move to Premier League side Brighton this week. It is understood that an undisclosed six-figure sum has been agreed between the two clubs for the services of the 19-year-old, with the County Louth side securing future add-ons to what is believed to be a record sale for the Oriel Park outfit. The deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days once the final details on personal terms are agreed. The left-back, a Republic of Ireland Under-19 international, has become a regular for Dundalk since being handed a league debut for the Lilywhites in a 2-0 defeat at home to Waterford FC last June by then manager Jon Daly. He has continued to flourish for the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division leaders this season, with current boss Ciarán Kilduff describing him as "the best left-back in the country in either division." The teenager from Skerries in Co Dublin has made 38 appearances for Dundalk, scoring twice. He has also been capped four times by Tom Mohan's Irish U-19 side in their UEFA Euro U19 Championship qualifiers. Keogh, who completed his Leaving Cert earlier this summer, is the first Dundalk player to move to Brighton since Richie Towell a decade ago. Towell moved at the end of the 2015 season as a free agent. The club from the south coast of England, who finished eighth in last season's Premier League, have signed a number of Irish players in recent years. Former Bohemians striker Evan Ferguson is expected to move to Serie A outfit Roma on loan shortly but his fellow senior international Andrew Moran and U-21 defender Eiran Cashin remain on their books. It was also announced today that Cork City winger Malik Dijksteel has signed a pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store