logo
Dundalk FC boss Ciarán Kilduff ‘hopeful' of adding a defensive player to his squad

Dundalk FC boss Ciarán Kilduff ‘hopeful' of adding a defensive player to his squad

SSE Airtricity Men's First Division
The Argus
Today at 13:35
Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff says he remains 'hopeful' of adding another defensive option to the squad before the side's next game away to Treaty Utd on August 22.
The Lilywhites are not in action this weekend having been knocked out of the FAI Cup by Sligo Rovers last month but Kilduff is hopeful of having a new experienced option to call upon for the trip to Market's Field in Limerick having lost Sean Keogh to Brighton and Sean McHale to an ankle injury for the next few weeks.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jack Byrne left out of Rovers squad again after rumoured row with Stephen Bradley
Jack Byrne left out of Rovers squad again after rumoured row with Stephen Bradley

Irish Examiner

time12 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Jack Byrne left out of Rovers squad again after rumoured row with Stephen Bradley

Jack Byrne may have played his last game for Shamrock Rovers as he's been frozen out for tonight's Europa League third round second leg. Bar a brief injury-interrupted spell in Cyprus, when his former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy recruited him to APOEL, the classy midfielder has been with Rovers for the past six years. His goal as a substitute against St Joseph's helped the Hoops hurdle a Conference League round but he's not been with the squad for almost a fortnight. Chatter grew about a spat with his manager when Stephen Bradley omitted the 29-year-old from his squad for last week's trip to FK Ballkani in Kosovo. Exclusion from the initial list means Byrne is also unavailable for this second leg in which the league leaders need to overturn a 1-0 deficit. It also has financial implications as the Ireland international won't be entitled to the European bonus if his team completes the turnaround, setting up a playoff next week for league phase participation. That'll likely be against Portuguese outfit Santa Clara, who lead Larne 3-0 heading into their second leg in the Azores. Bradley is prepared to tackle this task without a player who has been integral to their revival. Byrne was central to their 2019 FAI Cup triumph and three of their four-in-a-row of titles. It's believed the row stems from Byrne taking issues with being left out of the league game against Derry City the weekend before last. Words were exchanged during a preparatory training match, in which the Dubliner was part of the back-up XI. It's only two years since Rovers rejected three bids, rising to €500,000, for their lynchpin from MLS side Charlotte. Byrne was understood to favour the switch at the time but signed a contract extension later in 2023 that expires at the end of 2026. A 12-month further option is held by his club. Bradley would only confirm that the player's absence wasn't due to injury, adamant he wouldn't be distracted ahead of a huge night at Tallaght Stadium. There is still the possibility of a reconciliation but a parting is also a possibility. Both Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic previously expressed interest in enlisting the midfielder and would lead the queue were to become available. Graham Burke, right, and Trevor Clarke during training. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile Initially an apprentice at Manchester City, where he played under Patrick Vieira in the development squad, Byrne had spells at Oldham Athletic and Kilmarnock before moving back home. He remains the last player to win the coveted SSE Airtricity Soccer Writers' Ireland Men's Personality of the Year. Bradley does welcome back another Irish international, Graham Burke, into the fold following an injury. 'We were off our level in the first leg,' said the Hoops boss, whose side remain 10 points clear in the Premier Division despite being held scoreless at Galway United on Sunday. 'Ballkani were used to their surface last week whereas our lads were slipping. That's not an excuse that they were, but it played a part. 'They were dangerous where we thought they would be and we were slightly off it, which can happen. 'When that's the case but you leave with a result that keeps us in the tie, you take it. One thing you can never question about our group is their character and togetherness. Hopefully there's a big crowd cheering us on.' Meanwhile, St Patrick's Athletic are in damage limitation mode in Turkey. Tammy Abraham helped himself to a 30-minute hat-trick for Besiktas in last week's first leg as Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side led 4-0 at the break before Simon Power bagged a consolation. The former Manchester United manager will rotate his squad with an eye on the playoff round next week and the start of their domestic league, aware of the chasm between the teams. 'We were too charitable by giving up goals and wanted to get off the plane feeling we'd have a chance of winning the tie,' lamented Saints boss Stephen Kenny in Istanbul. ' We restored some integrity in the second half, we want to do ourselves justice and enjoy the game. 'Besiktas will want to put on a show at home so we've to match that and stay in the game. We were too passive in the first leg and want to bring a greater physicality and intensity.' In other news, Uefa have approved Tolka Park as the venue for Shelbourne's Conference League playoff. There were fears the limited capacity of 3,500 would require a switch to Tallaght but the club have sought and been granted clearance. Joey O'Brien's side will either have a rematch against Linfield — whom they overcame in last month's Champions League opening round — or Vikingur Gøta. The Faroese hold a 2-1 advantage ahead of Thursday's second leg at Windsor Park.

‘We want to show our fans how we've improved' – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer issues warning to Pat's in Istanbul
‘We want to show our fans how we've improved' – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer issues warning to Pat's in Istanbul

Irish Independent

time15 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

‘We want to show our fans how we've improved' – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer issues warning to Pat's in Istanbul

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ominously warned St Patrick's Athletic that his Besiktas side have no plans to ease off in their Conference League third round second leg tie in Istanbul on Thursday night even though the tie is over. Besiktas had the game, and the tie overall, sewn up before half-time in the first leg in Dublin with a 4-0 lead, though Pat's restored some credibility with a strong second half display and a goal. The Saints camp travelled under no illusions that the tie was over with the idea of overturning a three-goal deficit beyond their reach in the second leg (7pm Irish time), and of far more importance to Pat's is Sunday's FAI Cup tie against league champions Shelbourne.

Kelleher steps down as manager of Cork City women due to health reasons
Kelleher steps down as manager of Cork City women due to health reasons

Irish Examiner

time16 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Kelleher steps down as manager of Cork City women due to health reasons

Frank Kelleher has stepped down from his role as Cork City women's first team manager due to health reasons. Kelleher has been absent after being admitted to hospital, and following medical advice, he has informed the club that he will not be resuming his duties. Kelleher was in his second spell as manager, having previously managed the side between 2015 and 2018, winning the FAI Cup in 2017. 'It is with regret that I cannot continue in the role, as I have really enjoyed working with this group of players and with my excellent staff. That being said, health has to come first, so taking a step back is the right thing for me to do at this time," Kelleher said. "Cork City FC is a club that means an awful lot to me and it has been a privilege to have been part of things again this year. "I know that the players are in safe hands with the staff that are there, and I am very much looking forward to supporting them for the rest of this season and beyond.' Club owner Dermot Usher added: 'We are very sorry to have to see Frank step away from his role for health reasons. He has a long association with the club, and his knowledge and experience has been a huge asset to us since he came back in at the start of the year. "While we are sorry to see him depart, we also all know that your health is the most important thing, and that has to come first, so the decision he has made is the right one, and he leaves the role with our thanks and our very best wishes for the future.' Assistant manager Craig Robinson will continue to take charge of the team on an interim basis, with the club noting that "details of a recruitment process for a permanent replacement to be announced in due course".

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