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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
St Pat's can 'shock' under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas
St Patrick's Athletic have the potential to pull off a shock result against an under pressure Besiktas in the Conference League, according to RTÉ soccer analyst Alan Cawley. Stephen Kenny's side survived what would have been a dispiriting exit in the second qualifying round against Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju, Joe Redmond's injury-time goal rescuing their European campaign, with Jake Mulraney firing a somewhat fortuitous winner early in extra-time. The 3-2 aggregate victory teed up a third round clash with the illustrious Turkish club, who are currently under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the likes of Tammy Abraham and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain in their ranks. On paper, it looks a very tall order for Pat's, whose home leg again sees them decamp to Tallaght as they did for the home tie against Istanbul Basaksehir in the play-off round last season. That game finished in a very creditable goalless draw for Pat's and they were highly competitive in a 2-0 defeat in the away leg the following week. That European run ultimately proved a springboard for Pat's stunning finish to the 2024 season, which improbably gave them an outside chance of a league title with a few rounds remaining in the run-in. With Besiktas and their manager under pressure following a disappointing 2024-25 season, Cawley believes that Pat's will relish the opportunity. "I think they can (pull off a shock) to be honest with you," the former Pat's midfielder said on the RTÉ Soccer podcast. "You often find in games like this where they're obviously the underdogs going in, players raise their levels, and it will really turn them on. "Most European games do, but this will really turn them on playing against Besiktas with a couple of household names, most notably the manager but Tammy Abraham as well is in the squad. I don't think (Alex) Oxlade Chamberlain is going to feature with the injury. "Just with the name and the pedigree they have, Besiktas, it will certainly turn Pat's on. "And they're (Besiktas) under a little bit of pressure coming into the game whereas Pat's on the other hand have hopefully turned a bit of a corner. "You point back to this time last year where the European run really kick-started their season and they went on an unbelievable run towards the end. "They were under a bit of pressure themselves before these European games. They were really struggling. But all of a sudden the European games clicked them into a little bit of a gear. "Of course Stephen Kenny has an unbelievable record in Europan games as we know. He'll really fancy this as well. "Besiktas, we know the pedigree they have. But they finished fourth in Turkey last year, 33 points behind Galatasaray. They were a long way off the champions. "I do think Pat's might be able to do something and I'd love to see it." Former Republic of Ireland international Keith Treacy is more circumspect about their chances, stressing the international and European pedigree of the Turkish outfit. Besiktas, 16 times Turkish champions, last won the title in 2020-21 and reached the knockout stages of the Champions League as recently as 2017-18. However, Treacy says Pat's can take succour from their showing against a roughly comparable Istanbul Basaksehir side last season (one place behind Besiktas in 2025) and says they won't lie down in the face of the Turkish side. "I think they'll be licking their lips. I think they'll also be realistic in terms of the opposition they're coming up against. "There's a boy there, Rafa Silva, that has 25 Portuguese caps. There's Joao Mario, 56 Portuguese caps. Tammy Abraham is a really, really good player. They lost 6-2 to Shakhtar in the last round (of the Europa League) so they do concede goals. "But I think there's levels in this game and I hate usng that phrase. Besiktas are a couple of levels above St Pat's. "Is it beyoind the realms of possibility that Pat's get something out of the game? No, it's not beyond the realms of possibility. But if Besikts turn up and they put any sort of performance together and play to the levels they can do, then it's going to be a very long night for St Pat's. "One caveat I would be saying in the Pat's dressing room is they played Istanbul last year... that's their reference point from last season and they were well in that game. So why not go and have a cut off them? "They had a player called Gedson Fernandes that they sold to Sprtak Moscow for €20m. There's not an awful lot of League of Ireland players that go for €20m, so there's big levels in it, but I don't think you should be sitting there afraid of it. "I don't expect Pat's to go through but I also don't expect Pat's to lie down."
The Star
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Doue caps dream season with double in Champions League final win over Inter
Amazing brace: PSG's Desire Doue firing home the second of his two goals in the Champions League final. — AP/AFP MUNICH: Teenage star Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris St Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. 'I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,' Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. 'What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,' Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported ¤50milsigning a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shootout against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Doue, whose name appropriately translates as 'talented', finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. —AFP
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Doue Stars as PSG Win First Champions League Title
TEENAGE STAR Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris Saint-Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. 'I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,' Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. 'What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,' Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported 50 million euros ($56.7m), signing a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Olympic silver to European glory Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Talented by name Doue, whose name appropriately translates as 'talented', finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. 'It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent,' he said. 'I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. 'We still have great things to try to achieve with this club.' Doue expressed excitement about the prospect of returning to Paris to celebrate during a planned parade down the Champs-Elysees, but he will have to quickly get back to work. His elder brother Guela, with whom he played at Rennes, plays international football for Ivory Coast, the land of their father's birth. Desire, meanwhile, had his progress since moving to PSG rewarded when he was given his senior France debut in March. He will return to Germany to represent France in next week's UEFA Nations League finals, before jetting off with PSG to the United States as they chase more silverware in the Club World Cup.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Teenager Doue caps dream season by starring in PSG's Champions League triumph
TEENAGE STAR Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris Saint-Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. 'I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,' Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. 'What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,' Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported 50 million euros ($56.7m), signing a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Olympic silver to European glory Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Talented by name Doue, whose name appropriately translates as 'talented', finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. 'It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent,' he said. 'I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. 'We still have great things to try to achieve with this club.' Doue expressed excitement about the prospect of returning to Paris to celebrate during a planned parade down the Champs-Elysees, but he will have to quickly get back to work. His elder brother Guela, with whom he played at Rennes, plays international football for Ivory Coast, the land of their father's birth. Desire, meanwhile, had his progress since moving to PSG rewarded when he was given his senior France debut in March. He will return to Germany to represent France in next week's UEFA Nations League finals, before jetting off with PSG to the United States as they chase more silverware in the Club World Cup.
France 24
31-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Teenager Doue caps dream season by starring in PSG's Champions League triumph
"I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent," Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. "What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season," Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported 50 million euros ($56.7m), signing a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Olympic silver to European glory Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Talented by name Doue, whose name appropriately translates as "talented", finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. "It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent," he said. "I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. "We still have great things to try to achieve with this club." Doue expressed excitement about the prospect of returning to Paris to celebrate during a planned parade down the Champs-Elysees, but he will have to quickly get back to work. His elder brother Guela, with whom he played at Rennes, plays international football for Ivory Coast, the land of their father's birth. Desire, meanwhile, had his progress since moving to PSG rewarded when he was given his senior France debut in March. He will return to Germany to represent France in next week's UEFA Nations League finals, before jetting off with PSG to the United States as they chase more silverware in the Club World Cup. © 2025 AFP
