Latest news with #Gannon
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin
Meanwhile, an opposition politician said he would be issuing a legal challenge to the Central Bank of Ireland over its role in the sale of Israel Bonds. Saturday's rally saw demonstrators march from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to Leinster House. It was the 16th such demonstration since October 2023 and came after the Dáil rose for the summer recess. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) accused the Government of an 'absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide in which the Apartheid state has slaughtered more than 58,000 Palestinians'. The march demanded an end to the Central Bank of Ireland's role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU, for the Government to include services in the Occupied Territories Bill and to pass that legislation. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, who spoke at the rally, said he would be lodging legal papers against the Central Bank on Tuesday. The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the bloc's prospectus regulations. Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza. Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. Mr Gannon has issued a letter to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza. He said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds. He said: 'Politicians have spoken too long all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear – act. He added: 'On Tuesday, I'll be lodging papers against the Central Bank. Genocide can never be considered a technical matter – our only duty is to prevent it and punish those responsible.' Marah Nijim, a 23-year-old who came to Ireland from Gaza three months ago, told the crowd she was forced to leave her home, her family and her 'soul' and 'heart'. She said Palestinians in Gaza are deprived of human rights, adding that she is 'living with nightmares' of people burning alive and calling for help. 'Protesting is not enough any more, we need real actions from Government. People in Gaza are being starved to death.' Demonstrators also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region. The rally also criticised the Government after 33 Palestinian children were recently denied entry to Ireland over visa issues. GAA Palestine said it had to take the 'heartbreaking' decision to cancel a planned Irish tour for the children. IPSC chairperson Zoe Lawlor said: 'The Irish government is barely lifting a finger to end Ireland's deep complicity in this genocide.' Ms Lawlor added: 'On top of this we have the appalling spectacle of the state refusing visas to child medical evacuees and Palestinian kids to visit Ireland to play our national sports.' Stretching along Molesworth Street in front of Leinster House was a 120ft long and 5.5ft wide quilt, made up of 2,300 panels. Each panel – the vast majority of which were knitted by hand – is designed to represent the deaths of 10 children in Gaza, adding up to a total of 23,000 children. Anna Doyle and Niamh Bonner, from Craftivism For Gaza, said they are still accepting squares as the death toll continues to rise. Ms Doyle told the PA news agency: 'Each square represents 10 children. Their voices have been lost to the world forever. 'It also represents the voice of the crafter because most of them are made by people who wouldn't be able to come to a protest.'
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
One change in Shelbourne side to face Linfield in huge Champions League clash
Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien has named his starting-11 for Wednesday night's big Champions League clash with Linfield at Windsor Park. And there is one change to the side that claimed a 1-0 advantage in last week's first-leg. Out goes on-loan Liverpool defender James Norris and he is replaced by former Manchester City youth, and ex-Waterford and Bohemians left-back, Tyreke Wilson. There is no Sean Gannon in the side, despite his appearance on Tuesday evening at the pre-match press conference next to O'Brien. Gannon is aiming to make his 58th appearance in continental competition, but he will have to wait as he takes his place on the bench in Belfast. Conor Kearns starts in goal and the back-three is likely to once again be Mark Coyle, Paddy Barrett and Kameron Ledwidge. JJ Lunney and Kerr McInroy dominated midfield last week and they will renew that partnership, with Evan Caffrey and Wilson providing width. Mipo Odubeko, last week's goalscorer, starts again up-front, with Harry Wood and Ali Coote supporting him. Sean Boyd, whose substitution last week sparked Shelbourne's attack into life, once again starts on the bench. Shelbourne Conor Kearns; Mark Coyle, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge; Evan Caffrey, JJ Lunney, Kerr McInroy, James Norris; Harry Wood., Ali Coote; Mipo Odubeko. Subs: Healy, Topcu, Gannon, Chapman, Boyd, Martin, Bone, O'Sullivan, Kelly, Norris, Temple, Ring. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shels go north looking to close out Champions League tie
Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien takes his side to Linfield with a slender lead as they seek to progress to the second round of the Champions League qualifying stage. Mipo Odubeko's 58th-minute goal earned Shels a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Blues in their first leg of the first-round qualifier at Tolka Park a week ago. Shelbourne dominated the first leg in Dublin and had a penalty award overturned by VAR in the first half but Odubeko's goal aside, they were unable to make their possession count on the scoreboard. Linfield came away relatively satisfied with the result as the game was their first of the season, with the NIFL Premiership not getting underway until August and they'll believe that they can turn the tie around at Windsor Park. O'Brien meanwhile, made all the right noises about how hard his side worked and how they controlled the game but will know that they could have made the second leg a formality had Sean Boyd and Evan Caffrey shown more composure in front of goal. The new Shels boss will be hoping that his side don't come to regret those missed opportunities and with so much at stake, he'll be desperate to ensure that his side progress to the second qualifying round and with it the additional prize money €750,000. Azerbaijan champions Qarabag are waiting for the winners, along with an easier route to European group stage football, with the losers dropping into the Conference League qualifiers. O'Brien has a full-strength squad to choose from for the trip to Windsor Park as Sean Gannon comes back in, having been suspended for the first leg. Gannon brings a wealth of European experience, having gone deep in UEFA competitions Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. Harry Wood, who went off injured after turning in a man-of-the-match performance in the first leg, is also cleared to play. O'Brien believes that his side, having already got the better of Linfield, can go into the second leg full of confidence, knowing that they can get at the Belfast team. "We have a small advantage," he said. "The lads have seen them on the pitch - their speed, their movement, how good they are, so you have that feel of who you are up against now. "These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player. You've won the league and you want to be involved in the Champions League. "I said it to the lads, not many players get the chance to play in the Champions League qualifier and not many players get the chance to win a Champions League qualifier. "Ultimately it's about going through to the next round, that's what it's all about. In the background there's the whole financial side but as a player it's all about winning and getting through to the Champions League and the next few rounds in Europe." Linfield meanwhile, are able to welcome back an old European stager of their own as former Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields is back in contention, having missed the first game through suspension. Like Gannon, Shields has vast experience when it comes to two-legged European ties and he could offer Linfield an extra dimension in midfield, but manager David Healy is being coy as to whether or not he will start. "We underperformed with the ball last week," the Linfield boss said. "Our work ethic and organisation was there, but if we are better on the ball tomorrow night with the players that we have, Chris being back and involved – I've not decided if he is starting or not – we will be better. "I have no doubt we will be better in possession." Healy feels that his side can improve on their first-leg display and with the tie balanced so finely, has spent time on the training ground practicing penalties this week and analysing Shelbourne's history in shootouts. "There is huge belief that we can build on that performance," he said. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level, but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "If playing in a league game, on a Saturday, the boys will stay for four or five minutes after and take six or seven penalty kicks just to get their eye in, get in practice. "As a group we work on everything, we will have a look and know the goalkeeper and as a staff we're aware of previous penalty takers for Shelbourne.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sean Gannon's incredible Euro record as Shels prepare for showdown with Linfield
On one hand, it's a relatively inexperienced Shelbourne dressing room when it comes to big nights in Europe. On the other hand, Sean Gannon is back from suspension and is ready to add a fresh chapter to a most remarkable Irish footballing tale. The 33-year-old is expected to get the nod in tonight's Champions League second-leg against Linfield, and make his 58th appearance in continental competition. And 16 of those have come in the group stages - a level that Shels are desperate to reach this year. Victory over Linfield would inch that dream closer to reality, as it would earn them a second qualifying round spot in the Champions League, and shots at both the Europa League and Conference League. Defeat and they would be dumped straight into the Conference League second round - a much steeper climb to the league phase. From his European debut in the Europa League against Luxembourg side Jeunesse Esch 11 years ago, Gannon has come a long way. There have been 15 wins, 14 draws and 28 defeats, and those three cracks at the coveted group stages. Famous victories have come with Dundalk away to Hajduk Split (2014), BATE Borisov (2016), and that historic first ever group stage win against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Tallaght. Dundalk pulled off another first in that famous 2016 campaign when they picked up a point away from AZ Alkmaar in their opening group game. Prior to that, they went to Legia Warsaw and, for much of the game, were just a goal away from the Champions League group stages. There was honour in the defeats to Zenit St Petersburg (1-2 home and away) and to Arsenal in the 2020 group stages, when they played at an empty Emirates (0-3) and Aviva Stadium (2-4) during Covid. Gannon has yet to find the net in his 57 appearances so far, of which 48 were as a starter. Wouldn't tonight be the perfect night for the versatile defender to finally get off the mark? 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 . Prior to his red card away to Gibraltar side St Joseph's last year, which earned him the three-game ban that forced him to sit out last week's game, he had been booked just twice in Europe. Ironically, he was joined in the Tolka Park stand by his former Dundalk teammate Chris Shields, who was serving a ban for Linfield. The pair will go toe-to-toe tonight in a battle of two of Irish football's most experienced European campaigners. 'I actually shared a lot of good times with Chris,' he said last night, sitting alongside manager Joey O'Brien at the pre-match press conference. 'I played with him for many years, he's a great character, he was a big loss for the league. 'But he is flying up here and we know the value he is going to add to the game for Linfield, he has got huge European experience. 'He is a good friend of mine, it was good to see him last week, it was mad the two of us being suspended for the same game, but he can still chat, he burnt the ears off me last week in Tolka! 'He's a great lad and a huge asset for them.' Gannon's return gives O'Brien a fully-fit squad for the game tonight. 'It's been surreal, to be honest, the longest suspension ever,' he said of the three-game ban, handed down for his part in a melee deep into injury-time in the second-leg against St Joseph's. 'Obviously it's great to be back involved, it was hard watching on. I don't know how supporters do it every week, my nerves would be gone. 'It's good to be back involved. There's a great buzz around the group and I'm delighted to be back and available.' A man of his European experience will be vital in the Shels dressing room tonight. He has echoed his manager's sentiments regarding pressure - or the lack of - surrounding such a crucial game. 'I think pressure is probably not a word we'd be using, I think it's motivation,' said the former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers man. 'The rewards for getting through as a player are huge and obviously these are the games you want to be playing in. 'Every player in the league wants to be playing here in the Champions League, and we are representatives of our league. 'It's not a pressure, it's motivation for us. I have been lucky enough to be a part of games like this and I know how valuable they are to your career and to look back on in many years to come. 'But it wouldn't be a pressure for us, it's a motivation. There are big rewards and a chance to showcase your talent.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Reward on offer provides necessary motivation, not pressure, for Shels veteran Gannon
An hour up the road hosts an All-Ireland clash between Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry but Windsor Park stages the gateway to European riches for Linfield and Shelbourne. Only at full-time will Shels know if their glut of squandered chances at Tolka Park costs them the guarantee of three more rounds within UEFA's competition structures. Linfield boss David Healy seemed relieved coming away from the first leg hunting a single-goal deficit. The former Northern Ireland striker refused to countenance the phrase chase in the context of being at home for the second half of the Champions League tie. Both sides were probably glad when the draw pitted the respective title holders of the two leagues in the island of Ireland together but the evidence of the first leg posits the Reds as overwhelming favourites. That wasn't reflected on the scoreboard but with a carpet of a pitch for their attackers to gorge on and the 18,500-capacity venue, these days entitled the Clearer Twist National Stadium, expected to be no more than half full, they've reason to be confident. Whoever emerges through the tie – which allows for extra-time and penalties if needed – will be within one game of ensuring participation in the league phase of the Conference League. Neither club has passed that threshold but they each have a player returning from suspension who has. Chris Shields was part of the Dundalk team which made the 2011 Europa League group and his return will bolster the hosts' prospects. He was immersed in conversation at Tolka with his former Lilywhites teammate Seán Gannon. Both veterans were put up for pre-match media duties by their clubs and it's likely Gannon will sample his 58th European game, lurking to within five of Ronan Finn's record for a League of Ireland player. 'The rewards to players for getting through the tie are huge,' noted Gannon, who turned 34 last week. 'That's not pressure for us, only motivation. I've been lucky enough to have played in these games previously and every player wants to be part of the Champions League games. 'We're representing our league so it's a chance to showcase your talent and something to look back on.' Shelbourne's superior conditioning last week from being in-season won't be so decisive as Linfield are another week into their preparations for the traditional campaign kicking off next month. 'To be honest we could have played better,' said Shels boss Joey O'Brien, just three games into his permanent residency having stepped up to succeed his boss, Damien Duff. 'We were wasteful in possession, our touch in the final third wasn't as sharp and clean as what I'd have expected from the players. We've to tidy up on that but this is a completely different game. We were overall happy with the win but it's all to play for.' The prize awaiting them is a second-round tie next week against Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ and a spiking of their minimum €1m in earnings. Elimination of the supreme competition doesn't mean the end of their European adventure, only cascades them into a Conference League clash against the loser of Lithuanians Zalgiris or Hamrun Spartans of Malta. Healy has spoken calmly and confidently approaching the midway juncture of this tie, adamant his team can mark his milestone of 500 games at the helm with its high point. 'I've had the privilege of enjoying success,' he observed. 'We have won the league six times in nine seasons and I am coming up to 10 years here. "A second goal for Shels in the first leg would have made it really difficult but with the performance levels, the attitude, and most importantly speaking to the players after the game, and over the last few days, there is huge belief that we can build on that performance. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "I have no doubt, if and when we do take the lead, then the electricity and energy around this place becomes important as the players will be fuelled by the belief they can win the tie." No Claret Jug at stake but the rewards in this sport are about more than silverware.
