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Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rovers' Euro goal hero took PAY-CUT to extend spell with League of Ireland side
Stephen Bradley has paid tribute to evergreen striker Rory Gaffney after the 35-year-old's latest heroics - and revealed that he took a pay-cut to prolong his stay at Tallaght Stadium. Gaffney took his tally for the season to 12 with a classy brace in Thursday's Europa Conference League demolition of Kosovan side Ballkani. He scored either side of half-time in a 4-0 win, which wiped out Ballkani's 1-0 first-leg advantage. Gaffney struggled for game-time last year, playing only eight games in the Premier Division and missing out on the European league phase campaign with achilles and ankle injuries. Bradley admitted that he had doubts about whether the Galwayman would be able for another campaign with the League of Ireland giants. However, he was convinced by the striker to offer him a new deal, with Gaffney giving some assurances and concessions in the process. 'You always have doubts,' said Bradley after the veteran's outstanding display on Thursday night. 'When you're hitting your mid-30s and you have the injuries he's had, of course there's a little bit of doubt thinking. 'But I also know Rory, I trust him and the conversations are very honest. 'I'm willing to come back, I'm willing to take a pay cut. If I'm injured, I'll walk away'. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'I trust everything he says. In pre-season, we spoke all the way through it. He managed himself. 'There's always that bit of doubt, there has to be at his age. But Rory is so matter-of-fact. If he tells you something, you believe him. 'And he's not saying it just to bullshit you. He wouldn't do that. He's not that type. When he was talking to me, he was telling me the truth.' Bradley added that Gaffney could have walked away from Rovers, with two clubs offering him the security of two-year deals. When it was put to the Rovers boss that few players would agree to a pay-cut, he said: 'No, not many. I think that probably sums up the career he's had. 'I said he could have walked away and had them two contracts, two-year deals and been comfortable. 'But he wants to....(he's said) 'I want to win things. I want to taste Europe. I want to win the league. I want to win the cup. I want to win things. I'm nearly there and when I'm finished, I want to finish winning things'. 'You have to admire that. The other job will be negotiating for him next year!' Bradley described Gaffney on Thursday night as 'unplayable' - as the former Mervue, Limerick, Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers, Salford City and Walsall man tormented the Ballkani defence. He even had a pop back at Arber Potoku after he scored his first, in retaliation for the defender's reaction to a block on an earlier Gaffney shot. 'He's so cut throat, Rory,' said Bradley. 'If you know him, he's so matter of fact. Rory would be looking at him (Potoku), and be, 'You're in trouble now'. Don't poke the bear, and your man pokes him.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Examiner
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Hallgrímsson facing Brady blow after calf injury rules veteran out of World Cup qualifiers
Ireland's reigning Player of the Year Robbie Brady looks certain to miss next month's opening World Cup qualifiers after tearing his calf muscle. Brady revived his international career following the arrival of Heimir Hallgrímsson just over a year ago but the manager will have to plan without the left-sided player for the visit of Hungary to Lansdowne Road on September 6 and trip to Armenia four days later. The 33-year-old was sidelined for Preston North End's opening Championship fixture on Saturday, a 1-1 draw against QPR, after suffering the injury in the final pre-season friendly against Manchester City. A precise prognosis is being awaited but the initial expectation is a layoff lasting at least four weeks, potentially up to six. Brady's only two absences during Hallgrímsson's 10-game reign were last November due to injury but the likelihood now is the manager welcoming back his set-piece specialist for the October matches against Portugal away and Armenia home at the earliest. Brady scored and assisted in the Uefa Nations League comeback 2-1 win over Finland last October in Helsinki, earning the Icelander the first victory of his reign. 'Robbie got injured in the last game,' said Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom ahead of the season opener. 'He did his calf so he'll be out for a couple of weeks. We'll see how we are then. Hopefully, we get the boys back as quickly as possible.' Misfortune for Brady should consolidate Ryan Manning's place in the team for the visit of Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary. Manning has been used in Ireland's matches further up the pitch on the left side but he was a steady deputy in the last game against Luxembourg when called upon after only 21 minutes to replace the injured Brady. The Galwayman proved to be Southampton's game-changer on Saturday, sprung from the bench against newly-promoted Wrexham to produce a stunning free-kick equaliser before setting up the stoppage-time winner. A fingertip save by his compatriot Gavin Bazunu at 1-0 equally contributed to the turnaround.
RTÉ News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
First Division: Horgan's spot-kick enough for Dundalk
Daryl's Horgan's expertly taken penalty deep in first-half stoppage time livened up a dull game as Dundalk maintained their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division with the slenderest of wins. The Galwayman gave a glimpse about why he was rewarded with 17 caps as he gave Students keeper Dara Kavanagh the eyes before slotting the ball calmly into the opposite corner. Dundalk remain six points clear at the top, but they were made to work for it as Enda Minogue saved Adam Brennan's late penalty to secure a vital win. The visitors were the first to threaten and Andy Paraschiv left Kavanagh in no man's land as he nodded Declan McDaid's centre back across goal, but his looping header came back off the post. UCD hit back with a promising move of their own as Adam Wells ducked in from the right and knuckled a shot from 20 yards but it lacked the swerve to trouble Minogue in the Lilywhites goal. Ciarán Behan then slipped Mikey Raggett through in the box but, tracked by centre half Vinnie Leonard, he pulled his shot into the near side netting It was UCD's turn to test the woodwork then as they awarded a free kick 20 yards out when Leonard's centre back partner Mayowa Animasahun clumsily chopped down Raggett. Adam Verdon stepped up and sent a powerful curling shot over the wall and over the outstretched arm of Minogue that crashed back off the bar, and Behan put the rebound wide. Little else of consequence happened until injury time when Animasahun went from cartoon villain to hero as he went down softly following what appeared to be a shirt pull. The Students complained vociferously but ex-Preston North End and Hibernian man Horgan had no such quibbles and slotted the ball calmly into the left corner. Dundalk dominated a second half without many clear chances, Gbemi Arubi finding Kavanagh with a tame effort before McDaid stung the keeper's palms from range. Éanna Clancy strode forward and tested Minogue from 20 yards and Verdon saw his effort tipped over as the home side reverted to a more attacking formation. And their endeavour was rewarded three minutes from time as McManus appeared to handle in the area and, following a lengthy delay, Brennan stepped up. The midfielder was hesitant, however, and Minogue anticipated his weak effort and, though Hugh Smith bundled in a subsequent shot, he was deemed offside and the goal was struck off. Elsewhere the chasing pack kept pace with Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers both claiming wins that saw them avoid losing further ground to Dundalk. Bray had to do it the hard way however and it took an injury-time winner from Richard Ferizaj's to claim a 3-2 victory over Treaty United. Mark Byrne put Treaty in front early on through Mark Byrne's opener but they were reduced to ten men soon after when Steven Healy was harshly adjudged to have denied Billy O'Neill a goal scoring opportunity. Goals from Conor Knight and Cian Curtis appeared to have the Seagulls cruising but a equaliser against the run of play from Joe Hanson looks set to give Treaty a hard-fought point before Ferizaj stuck out a foot to deflect his brother Justin's shot past the goalkeeper and into the net. Cobh Ramblers had a much more straight-forward victory as a hat-trick from Shane Griffin helped them a 3-1 win at home to Longford Town. Griffin opened the scoring on 37 minutes but fans were still celebrating that goal when Daniel Norris equalised two minutes afterwards. However Cobh stepped things up in the second-half and further goals from Griffin on the 50th and 81st minute were enough to seal things. Elsewhere Kerry claimed a convincing win in the battle between the basement sides as they eased to a 4-0 victory over bottom side Athlone. First-half goals from Ronan Teahan, Sean O'Connell and Robert Cleary all but ended the game as a contest by half-time and Carl Mujaguzi's second-half strike made sure of the result. While in Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford came from behind to beat Finn Harps 2-1. UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Carl Lennox, Éanna Clancy (Declan Osa gie 80), Brian McManus (Ryan McBrearty 80); Adam Verdon, Adam Brennan, Ciarán Behan (Louis Dignam 84); Mikey McCullagh (Sam Norval 80), Jake Doyle, Mikey Raggett (Hugh Smith 59). Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Conor O'Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, John Ross Wilson; Harry Groome (Eoin Kenny 67), Aodh Dervin, Andy Parashiv (Shane Tracey 79); Declan McDaid (Rohan Vaughan 79), Daryl Horgan (Keith Ward 90+3), Gbemi Arubi. (Dean Ebbe 67)
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Paul McBride takes step closer to The Open with win in regional qualifying at The Island
The former Walker Cup star made an eagle, five birdies and four bogeys in the only sub-70 round of the day at the windswept Malahide links to top the qualifiers by a shot from Cloverhill's Keith Shannon. There were ten spots up for grabs at The Island for the right to tee it up at Final Qualifying for Royal Portrush at one of four UK venues on July 1. Hermitage's Rowan Lester, Royal Belfast amateur Finlay Eager, Galwayman Ronan Mullarney and Foyle's Brendan McCarroll tied for third with one-under 71s. Rúaidhrí McGee and Finn Alex Hietala qualified with level par 72s but there was an eight-man playoff for the final two places on two-over. In the end, Laytown and Bettystown's Alex Maguire and Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney progressed at the second tie hole. At Frilford Heath, Kinsale's John Murphy birdied six of his last seven holes to shoot a one-under 71 before losing out in a five-man playoff for the last of nine spots. Local Qualifying was played at 15 venues across Great Britain and Ireland for 131 spots alongside already exempt players in Final Qualifying at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire next week. Irish golf will have at least five players in the field at Royal Portrush in former champions Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Pádraig Harrington and LIV Golf's Tom McKibbin.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We owe the fans' – Ryan Manning promises to ‘get Southampton back to Premier League' after record-breaking relegation
RYAN MANNING has no intention of jumping ship following Southampton's relegation. Manning, 28, has two years left on his contract and wants to help the Saints bounce back, having helped them win promotion through the play-offs last May. Advertisement 2 Ryan Manning has vowed to stay at Southampton Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 2 Southampton were relegated from the Premier League Credit: Getty Images - Getty The left-back has started half of Southampton's 34 top flight games this term, and come on in a further five. Manning said: "I absolutely want to be here next season, but "I definitely want to be here next season. I want to get this club back to the 'It's important for a club like this to bounce back straight away and get back. Then hopefully we can have another crack at the Premier League the year after. Advertisement Read More on Ireland MNT "Although it's been a disappointing campaign, next year we're going to have eight or ten extra games and you've got the buzz of the But the Galwayman admitted getting out of the second tier for a second time would be easier said than done. He said: "The Championship itself is becoming a big league, a massive league. You look at how difficult it is to get out of it. 'There are a lot of big clubs that were established Premier League teams that have now been in the Championship for four, five, six seasons. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive 'If you don't start the season properly, then you can easily get stuck there, and then it becomes really difficult.' Manning has featured in Ireland's last four games, his only start coming in the first leg of the Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton
