Latest news with #EvanFerguson
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ken Early: Heimir Hallgrímsson's plan very nearly pays off in Ireland's solid performance against Senegal
Last month, Heimir Hallgrímsson decided he would give most of Ireland's Championship-based players this international window off to make the most of their holidays. It may prove a far-sighted decision, but it didn't do much for excitement levels in advance of Friday night's Senegal match, where the vibe was less 'do or die' than 'let's get this over with'. So the Irish starting XI contained eight 2024-25 Premier League players, five of whom have just been relegated. The Irish set-up was 4-4-1-1 without the ball and 3-4-2-1 with the ball, with Robbie Brady and Kasey McAteer as the wide players and Ryan Manning and Ipswich's Jack Taylor supporting the centre-forward Adam Idah. It was more disappointing than surprising to see Evan Ferguson left out of the starting line-up. Despite a terrible season at club level, he scored one of the best goals by an Ireland player in years in his last game here, against Bulgaria. Hallgrímsson went with Taylor as the player closest to Idah up front. Taylor is generally used by Ipswich in a defensive midfield position. His selection here in a more attacking role showed the importance the Ireland manager attaches to physical strength through the team. That is consistent with an approach that puts a lot of importance on set pieces. In the second minute Ireland won a throw high on the left and Nathan Collins and Dara O'Shea both advanced into the Senegal penalty area for the long throw. Ireland's opening goal midway through the first half came from a set-piece, though not one that seemed to have gone exactly according to plan. READ MORE Matt Doherty was running in to attack Robbie Brady's corner at the far post but O'Shea reached the ball first and headed it back towards the edge of the box. As Doherty and O'Shea appeared to argue over what had gone wrong, Manning clipped it back towards the penalty spot and Nathan Collins flicked a looping head over the advancing Senegal defenders. Kasey McAteer had reacted quickest and although Yahvann Diouf saved his first header, he latched on to the rebound and buried it low for his first Ireland goal. The joy on McAteer's face reminded you that not everybody considered this match a meaningless chore. Ireland's Adam Idah with Abdoulaye Seck and Abdou Diallo of Senegal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho McAteer was seeing a fair bit of the ball, Dara O'Shea often picking him out with raking passes from left centre back. The right-sided wide role has been variously filled by Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele and Chiedozie Ogbene in Hallgrímsson's eight previous matches, but on this showing McAteer is as strong an option as any of these. Certainly he has the physicality the manager likes. Ireland's performance in the first half was the kind that managers love while the fans rose en masse at the 40-minute mark to beat the queues at the bar. Solid, organised, going close on a few occasions, denying the opponents any sight of goal, getting a goal and keeping a clean sheet? There may not have been much to cheer about, but there was very little to complain about either. The start of the second half was enlivened by the invasion of a flock of seagulls, maybe attracted by the smell of half-time chips. They glided low over the seats in the west stand hunting for food before perching on the huge steel girders of the roof. The birds all sat facing the stands rather than the pitch. [ Hallgrímsson stresses Ireland's World Cup ambitions before valuable Senegal test Opens in new window ] They were missing Senegal gradually working their way back into the game. Caoimhín Kelleher had had nothing to do in the first half, but early in the second he needed to stretch to tip a header on to the underside of the bar. A few minutes later he was scrambling another ball clear after O'Shea had inadvertently deflected a cross on to the Irish post. The Irish goalkeeper's luck couldn't hold forever. Everton's Iliman Ndiaye is a useful dribbler but Andrew Moran – who had just come on as substitute – will be disappointed with how easy Ndiaye made beating him look. Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher watches the ball go just wide at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho The Senegalese attacker dribbled in from the right before hitting a low cross that took a deflection away from goal along the way, wrong-footing the Irish defence and allowing Cherif Ndiaye to get off a low shot from eight yards. Kelleher stuck out his left foot to save the first effort but was powerless to stop Ismaila Sarr finishing off the rebound. After four wins and four defeats, this was the first draw of Hallgrímsson's tenure. The day before the match he had talked about how the identity and the principles of the team were becoming clearer all the time. The performance here bore that out to a certain extent, though this occasion lacked the intensity of a serious qualifying match. It goes without saying that neither Senegal nor Ireland looked anywhere near the level of Ireland's qualifying opponents, Portugal, as they came back to beat Germany in Munich in the Nations League semi-final during the week. Come the World Cup qualifiers in the autumn, less will depend on what has happened in these two summer friendlies, and more on whether between now and then Evan Ferguson can find himself a club, get some minutes on the field, and play himself back into the kind of form he was showing two years ago.
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Ireland vs Senegal: When, How to Watch face Dublin Friendly
The Republic of Ireland welcome Senegal to the Aviva Stadium on Friday evening for their final home match before World Cup qualifying begins in September. It is the first-ever meeting between the two nations and the first time an African team visits the Dublin ground. Kick-off is at 7.45pm Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on L'Équipe and Amazon Prime UK. Ireland is aiming for a third consecutive win after back-to-back victories over Bulgaria in March. Hallgrímsson sees the fixture as a vital step up in intensity. 'They come at you again and again,' he said. 'It's a good test of our shape and defensive work.' Evan Ferguson is expected to lead the line, having netted four of his five international goals at the Aviva. Troy Parrott is a doubt with illness. Robbie Brady, recently named FAI Player of the Year, is likely to start in midfield. Senegal, on the other hand, arrive unbeaten in their last 20 matches and with plenty to prove. Sadio Mané is absent due to personal reasons, while Pape Matar Sarr misses out through injury. But manager Pape Thiaw still boasts a strong squad, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Ismaïla Sarr. Thiaw will make the most of this match to prepare for a key qualifier in September against Sudan and DR Congo. They play another high-profile friendly against England next week. The Senegalese coach is expected to field a mix of youth and experience, with Abdallah Sima and Iliman Ndiaye both pushing for starting roles. Opta stats: Ireland have not beaten an African side since a 3-0 win over Algeria in 2010 Senegal have kept seven consecutive clean sheets Nicolas Jackson has scored once in 19 games for Senegal Ireland's next home win will be their 150th across all competitions Predicted Lineups: Republic of Ireland: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O'Brien, Brady; Ebosele, Knight, Taylor, McAteer; Idah, Parrott Senegal: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; P Sarr, Gueye, Camara; Ndiaye, Jackson, I Sarr Predicted Score: Senegal's unbeaten run and physical edge may be too much for Ireland. Verdict: Ireland 1-2 Senegal. Tags: Friendly gameIrelandsenegal
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Todibo stays as Soler and Ferguson return to parent clubs
West Ham have confirmed that Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo will join on a permanent deal on 1 July, following a season-long loan at the Premier League 25-year-old made 29 appearances in all competitions, starting 12 of the final 13 Premier League matches after returning from injury. Meanwhile, Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson will return to Paris St-Germain and Brighton respectively at the end of their loan a statement, the club said: "Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Carlos and Evan for their contribution and commitment during their time at the club, and wish them every success for the future."
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: The Zoo, All Is True and Good Boy
Live Racing: The Oaks Virgin Media One, 1pm The Derby meeting begins at Epsom with Ladies' Day, during which the third of this year's Classics, The Oaks, takes place. Live International Football RTÉ2, 7pm The Aviva Stadium hosts the first-ever match between the Republic of Ireland, who may feature Evan Ferguson, and Senegal. It's a friendly in which both managers may give fringe players a runout. The Zoo RTÉ One, 8.30pm Keeper Brendan Walsh discovers that Noel the bat has awakened too early from hibernation and, as a result, is in need of urgent medical care. Meanwhile, a team from America arrive to help remove two of Coby the Californian sea lion's teeth. A Man Called Otto RTÉ One, 9.35pm Tom Hanks heads the cast of a comedy-drama remake of a 2015 Swedish movie. He plays a grumpy widower who reluctantly becomes embroiled in the lives of his neighbours (portrayed by Mariana Treviño and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo). All Is True BBC Two, 11.30pm Drama written by Ben Elton and based on the final years of William Shakespeare's life. Kenneth Branagh plays the Bard, who returns after a 20-year absence to his wife and daughters following the destruction of his beloved Globe Theatre. Judi Dench and Ian McKellen co-star. Dept. Q Netflix, streaming now DCI Carl Morck may be an excellent investigator, but there's no hiding from the fact that he's a terrible co-worker. There's the small matter of his scathing sarcasm, which has left him without a single friend in the Edinburgh police force. Then there's the rather more serious issue of him having fatally shot a young officer and permanently injured his partner. Unsurprisingly enough, following this tragic turn of events, Morck is relegated to Department Q: a cold-case unit which was created as a publicity stunt. Although the force is thrilled to see Carl go, he soon sets about assembling a group of outcasts who are all keen to prove themselves. Yes, it does sound a bit like Slow Horses, which is quite the gauntlet for Netflix to throw. Only time will tell if it's worthy of comparison. With yer man from Leap Year (Matthew Goode) essentially playing a hybrid of Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb and Jack Lowden's River Cartwright, I wouldn't hold my breath. A Widow's Game Netflix, streaming now Picture it: August 2017. In a Valencia parking lot, a man is found stabbed seven times. The city's Homicide Group, led by a veteran inspector, races to solve the case, which appears to be a crime of passion. Their investigation soon takes a shocking turn, pointing to an unlikely suspect: Maje, the victim's seemingly sweet and stoic widow, married to him for less than a year. Mission: Impossible Fest Disney+, streaming now We can never get enough of the Mission: Impossible movies, it seems. You can now watch all the prequels to the recently released The Final Reckoning if you're so inclined. Bono: Stories of Surrender Apple TV+, streaming now Behold Bono's one-man stage show, exploring the personal experiences that have shaped him as a son, father, husband and activist. Oh, and as one of the planet's biggest rock stars. If Owen Wilson's signature shtick is more to your liking, The Stick lands Wednesday. Good Boy Prime Video, streaming now In order to combat crime in a perilous underworld, a group of former medal-winning athletes exchange the podium for police badges. In an exciting, action-packed ride, Yun Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum) and his group battle a formidable criminal syndicate. Also on Prime Video, we have season 2 of The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, courtesy of producers Maya Rudolph and Natasha Lyonne. The Better Sister Prime Video, streaming now D'you know what society needs? More portrayals of women being pitted against each other. Based on Alafair Burke's novel, however, this eight-part thriller attempts to turn things. When media executive Chloe (Jessica Biel) and her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) are reunited after a murder, they must unravel long-buried family secrets to uncover the truth. Criminal Code Netflix, streaming now Season 2 of the Brazilian action series inspired by real crimes sees an elite Federal Police unit take on a ruthless gang in a high-stakes battle. For a telenovela twist, The Heart Knows follows a man who unknowingly falls for his heart donor's widow. Yep. Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal Netflix, streaming now NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson were among the biggest names sporting Reebok in the '90s. Now, O'Neal is trying to revive the brand's legacy and find a rising star to rep it (his son being among the potential candidates).
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Premier League players who need a move to revitalise their careers
Evan Ferguson, Brighton Ferguson's breakthrough hat-trick against Newcastle feels like a lifetime ago now. The young striker seemed destined for greatness but he has struggled to live up to his early billing. Having failed to break into the Brighton team under Fabian Hürzeler, Ferguson spent the second half of the season on loan at West Ham, where he started just one league game. At 20 years of age, time is on the Republic of Ireland international's side but his future will be best served away from the Amex. Jack Grealish, Manchester City Just two years ago Grealish was at the centre of the celebrations as Manchester City won the treble. He now feels very peripheral. A combination of injuries and increased competition in the squad restricted the 29-year-old to just seven league starts this season. The FA Cup final will have been particularly frustrating for Grealish, who was left on the bench while City failed to create chances against Crystal Palace. With the game slipping away, Pep Guardiola sent on the teenager Claudio Echeverri for his debut rather than turning to Grealish. With City in the market another attacker – Rayan Cherki is a target – the former Aston Villa captain desperately needs to leave this summer to restart his stuttering career and reignite his hopes of playing at the World Cup next year. Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United Højlund moved to Manchester United from Atalanta with a big reputation. Two years and 14 league goals later, and the 22-year-old looks likely to leave Old Trafford in a transfer that would suit all parties. He has been given little service and is often feeding on scraps in a team that do not create enough chances, but the Dane has been an unmitigated disaster for United and a return to Italy has been mooted. Højlund showed bags of potential during his one and only season in Serie A, and he'll hope a summer exit gets his development back on track. Marcus Rashford. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA Marcus Rashford, Manchester United Rashford showcased his quality during his short loan stint with Aston Villa, where he seemed revitalised after a difficult few months working under Ruben Amorim. A permanent switch to Villa is unlikely after they failed to qualify for the Champions League, but the 27-year-old is available to any club who will bid £40m. Amorim has suggested he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than Rashford and the club need to raise funds to strengthen after a disappointing season. READ MORE Jadon Sancho, Manchester United Chelsea's decision not to make Sancho's move permanent leaves the 25-year-old in limbo. It's clear he has no future at Manchester United, meaning he's another asset the club need to cash in on if they are to bolster the squad. Sancho didn't necessarily struggle during his season at Chelsea. He made 41 appearances, scoring five goals and setting up 10 more; he even capped his time at the club with a lovely goal in the Conference League final. But he was not consistent enough. Of the 156 players who attempted at least 25 crosses in the Premier League this season, he was the only player who did not find a team-mate once. Federico Chiesa, Liverpool Liverpool were quiet in the transfer market last summer, but they did bring in Chiesa to provide cover for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. The injury-prone Italian has been called upon rarely by Arne Slot, even when fit, playing just 466 minutes in all competitions – the equivalent of just over five games. With a club record £109m deal for Florian Wirtz gathering momentum, a move away from Anfield will only be a good thing for the 27-year-old. Harvey Elliott. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Harvey Elliott, Liverpool Elliott will also fall down the pecking order if Liverpool sign Wirtz. The 22-year-old has never really consolidated a starting spot despite looking sharp when called upon by Jürgen Klopp and Slot. A switch to Bayer Leverkusen appears to be off, but the midfielder would be a great signing for a number of Premier League clubs. Darwin Núñez, Liverpool With a move for a new striker in the offing, Núñez's time at Liverpool is expected to end this summer. The Uruguayan failed to win over Slot. He had his moment in the sun, coming off the bench to score twice in a vital victory at Brentford in January, but he is painfully inconsistent. Núñez finished the season with more yellow cards (eight) than goal involvements (seven) in the Premier League. He played the full 90 minutes just three times in the league this season – not good enough for a striker who cost £85m. Kepa, Chelsea Chelsea already have a plethora of goalkeepers on the books and they are preparing to make an offer to Milan for Mike Maignan, so Kepa needs to find a permanent route out of Stamford Bridge. Football's most expensive goalkeeper was solid during his loan spell at Bournemouth last season, saving 71.3 per cent of the shots he faced, which should tempt interested parties. He is still only 30 so should have a few more seasons at the top. Raheem Sterling. Photograph: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images Raheem Sterling, Chelsea On paper, Sterling looked like a solid loan signing for Arsenal. He had Premier League experience, a history of winning trophies and the ability to cover any position across the frontline. However, the 30-year-old failed to make his mark, with perhaps his best performance coming in the League Cup against League One side Bolton. He did not score a single goal in 17 league appearances. Arsenal have understandably sent the winger back to Chelsea. Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca last summer, his time at Stamford Bridge needs to end this summer. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Chelsea When Enzo Maresca was appointed head coach last summer, it wasn't a huge surprise to see Chelsea sign midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for £30m to replace Atlético Madrid-bound Conor Gallagher. That money has proven a waste. The 26-year-old has started just two Premier League games for the club and was linked with a January move to West Ham. Chelsea have since signed Dário Essugo from Sporting for £18.5m, reinforcing the idea that Dewsbury-Hall needs to move on. Having failed to break into the first team under Maresca, there seems little point in the former Leicester man hanging around. Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea Nkunku moved to Chelsea two years ago for £51m with a big reputation after a stellar final season with RB Leipzig. Injuries affected the Frenchman's debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, and he has never fully recovered or consolidated a regular starting spot. Approaching the peak years of his career, the 27-year-old should leave and start again at a new club. Armando Broja, Chelsea Chelsea have been trying their hardest to sell Broja in recent windows but have only succeeded in loaning the Albanian striker to other Premier League sides. Broja had a forgettable stint with Fulham before spending this season on loan at Everton, where he registered just 331 minutes of league action. The 23-year-old is an effective frontman when fit, but a change of surroundings is a necessity to avoid a 'what if' career. – Guardian
