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Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland must learn from unacceptable mistakes in Poland loss, admits Tanya Oxtoby
A nightmare start, in which Poland scored twice inside the opening nine minutes, saw hopes of victory quickly evaporate and those two goals were a horror for Northern Ireland. First, Martyna Wiankowska was afforded the freedom of Seaview when she had acres of space on the left wing to deliver a cross into the box for Ewa Pajor to score the opening goal after four minutes. Pajor then took the ball of a the toe of a hesitant Jackie Burns just outside the box before doubling the lead five minutes later. It is the response from her players in such circumstances and how they reacted over the course of the 80 minutes that followed that is Oxtoby's real focus going into a crucial trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina, with second place in the Nations League group on the line now that top spot has been secured by Poland. It was a tough night for teenage debutant Abi Sweetlove to come into the defence, while she was later joined on the pitch by Glentoran's Aimee Kerr – which Oxtoby highlighted as positives to take from the game. 'We spoke about starting well and staying in the game and we didn't do that,' said Oxtoby. 'I don't think you can play a team like this and make mistakes. They will punish you. They did that tonight and they did it when we played them away as well. 'It's a lesson to be learned, but that's why they're going to Euros. They're a top side with top players and if you make errors, whether that be collectively or individually, they're going to punish you for that. 'That's the level we want to be at. So we have to take that on the chin and we have to learn from it, and we have to keep moving forward.' Poland's three major threats, Paulina Tomasiak, Pajor and Adriana Achcinska, combined for the third and fourth goals – the former smashing home after 28 minutes before the latter slotted the fourth a minute into the second half to wreck Oxtoby's half-time reorganisation. There was a distinct difference from the first two goals, which were heart-breaking for Northern Ireland compared to the sheer quality that Poland displayed for the latter two. 'There were mistakes all over the pitch and I think it's the reaction to that that we're looking for,' said Oxtoby. 'Do you have the resilience to turn that around and really then impact the game in a positive way? Credit to the girls I thought they did that, each and every one of them. 'The changes we made at half-time had an impact, the subs we made during the second half had an impact and the girls will learn from that. 'We've had two debuts tonight and you look at what Poland put out, you look at what we're put out and, you know, we're on a journey and I'll take those mistakes while we're continuing to learn.' After going three games unbeaten since a 2-0 defeat in Poland, results which had given hope to pipping the Poles for top spot in the group, Oxtoby wasn't completely downbeat. 'There are group errors, there are individual errors across the whole campaign and it's just about learning from those and making sure that we continue to develop the players,' said Oxtoby. 'One result doesn't define our campaign, we've been brilliant across this campaign and we're still in a great position and that has got to be the focus for us. 'We've said that in the group there. We've got to learn from tonight, the bits that we need to take and be better at, no doubt, short term and long term. But our focus has got to be on Tuesday and making sure that we get that right.' The focus is now very much on Tuesday and, with Bosnia being very much a different level of opposition, Northern Ireland's approach will be very different in Zenica. 'You probably have to be flawless against a team like (Poland), and in the second half what pleased me was the opportunities we had going the other way,' said Oxtoby. 'We could have easily gone into our shell and not really expressed ourselves and we still did that. We take the positives and we've got to take those into Tuesday because it's a massive game for us.'
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Freed Dunfermline Athletic defender linked with move to Northern Ireland
Freed Dunfermline defender Aaron Comrie could be on his way to Glentoran in the Northern Irish Premiership. The former St Johnstone full-back was one of 14 players who left East End Park at the end of the season. And the 28-year-old is reported to now be in talks with Glentoran about a move to Belfast. Comrie spent six years with Dunfermline after leaving Saints in 2019 and racked up his 200th appearance for the Pars back in January. He has been a dependable presence in the Fifers back line for five campaigns in the Championship and is a League One winner from two years ago. However, with a big shake-up expected at Dunfermline this summer, he was deemed surplus to requirements when the club announced their retained and released list earlier this month. Glentoran finished the season in third place in the NIFL Premiership but lost out to eventual winners Cliftonville in the semi-finals of the play-off for a UEFA Conference League spot. Manager Declan Devine is eager to strengthen his squad after missing out on Europe and has targeted Comrie's experience in his summer recruitment. The Glens' squad already includes Comrie's former Dunfermline and Celtic youth team-mate, Joe Thomson, as well as fellow Scot Liam Burt. Comrie was joined by Rhys Breen, Joe Chalmers, Craig Clay, Michael O'Halloran, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Craig Wighton and David Wotherspoon, as well as six loan players, in being released by the Pars after the end of the season. Wighton has since joined Montrose on a two-year deal after opting to go part-time, whilst Breen has spoken of facing a 'make or break' move following his exit.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former SPFL star avoids EIGHT-match ban after referee fails to TURN UP at hearing
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Hamilton Accies star Andy Ryan has successfully appealed a whopping FIVE-match ban - after the referee in question failed to TURN UP. The talented former Hamilton and Airdrie man now leads the line for Larne, who finished runners up to Linfield this season after clinching the previous two league titles. 3 Andy Ryan of Larne tackles Fuad Sule of Glentoran Credit: Pacemaker 3 Andy Ryan of Larne tries to get round Jonathan Russell of Glentoran Credit: Pacemaker 3 Andy Ryan of Larne has a moment with Cameron Palmer of Glentoran Credit: Pacemaker He found himself in hot water after being sent off by referee Hane Andrews in a League game against Linfield at Windsor Park on February 11. He was also hit with a five-match ban for an alleged exchange with Andrews in the tunnel area of Windsor Park at half-time, which was claimed constituted a breach of Article 14.15 of the IFA Disciplinary Code. According to the Belfast Telegraph, Andrews reported Ryan for allegedly calling him 'a f***ing joke' - only for Larne to dispute this, claiming their player said 'the DECISION was a f***ing joke'. He was in line for a combined total of an eight-match ban but first the IFA's Disciplinary Committee decided to overturn the suspension for the challenge on Blues midfielder Kyle McClean. A challenge then went in from Larne on the IFA's decision to ban Ryan for five games - only for several hearings were postponed as referee Andrews was unavailable to give evidence. And when he was unable to give evidence again at a hearing on Wednesday night and, in his absence, the Disciplinary Committee decided there was no case to answer and upheld Ryan's challenge. As quoted in the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish FA refused to comment on whether Andrews attended the hearing or not, but a spokesperson confirmed 'the challenge lodged by Andy Ryan was upheld'. Another Larne man Conor McKendry also won his challenge against a nine-game ban following the brawl at Inver Park between Larne and Glentoran players in April. McKendry, who was one of four players to be sent off after the brawl by referee Jamie Robinson, received the nine-game ban but has had his suspension reduced from nine to three games. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
The 'unfair' St Mirren narrative Caolan Boyd-Munce will dispel
Caolan Boyd-Munce pitched up at St Mirren as a 23-year-old with just 14 first-team appearances. Arriving as a free agent after leaving Middlesbrough, the midfielder was quickly branded as a project signing with a short-term deal agreed. So convinced was Boyd-Munce of St Mirren being the right venture for himself that he called his parent after his first day in the building to inform them he would be making a move to Paisley. The Northern Irishman wasn't short of offers but had been left with some doubt at other clubs before instantly appreciating the opportunity to work under Stephen Robinson. In many ways, St Mirren were a great platform for Boyd-Munce to prove himself after limited game time in England, following his move across the water from Glentoran. There's no shame in the suggestion St Mirren offers players an opportunity to perform and put themself in the shop window for a big move, but Boyd-Munce is keen to help dispel the suggestion that's all on offer in Paisley. "I think it has given me more than a platform," he said. "I think it's unfair for people to use it just as a platform. "I think we have shown with the quality we have in the team, within the club, and that goes for the staff on the pitch and off the pitch, that the club can go further than what people think. "I just hope people start to realise that. It's been really important for me and really special." Boyd-Munce will undoubtedly go on to achieve big things in his footballing career, starting with a free transfer move this summer. Recently named in the Northern Ireland squad, there is no reason to believe he won't continue on an upward trajectory. Crucially, though, Boyd-Munce is a shining example of how St Mirren can develop players on and off the park. Forget his paltry appearance count when he arrived, the midfielder now leaves with 68 Scottish Premiership outings and European football on his resume. Beyond that, and more pertinent to those considering a switch to Scotland, Boyd-Munce has experienced a transformational period at St Mirren. Partner Joanne gave birth to their firstborn, baby boy Roux, in September. "Yeah, it's still a touchy one," said Boyd-Munce asked about his time at St Mirren coming to an end. "It is a very special place. "My son was born here, we've grown as a family here, I've grown as a person here and there are people who will always be very close to me. "I have loved every minute of it and I hope people have very special memories as well from the time I have been here." Read more: Every summer comes the constant battle for St Mirren to punch above their weight in the transfer window and compete with English clubs, offering vast sums of money, for talented footballers. Boyd-Munce's testimony of how his life has been changed for the better through his time in Scotland will actively impact the decision-making of prospective signings. That's worth as much as any transfer fee. Boyd-Munce's partner, Joanne, too, spoke of her enjoyment of life in Scotland. "The end of an era for us," a social media post read. "A really special place for me and Caolan from seeing him enjoy football again and get that shine back, finding out we were having a baby here and our son being born in Glasgow, will always hold a special place in my heart Proud of you @boyd_munce." Consider Boyd Munce's approach to transfer interest in him at the start of last season.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Crusaders' 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 6thPlayer of the year: Lewis BarrThe 2024-25 season was always going to feel a little strange for Crusaders with the familiar figure of long-serving manager Stephen Baxter no longer patrolling the touchline. With Baxter succeeded by club legend Declan Caddell, a period of transition ensued as the team ended the league season with 16 wins, 16 defeats and six were knocked out of the Irish Cup quarter-finals by neighbours Cliftonville after falling to Glentoran after extra-time in the BetMcLean Cup semi-finals. On-loan Kieran Offord's eye-catching displays were a plus during the first half of the campaign before he joined Linfield from St Mirren in January. The Crues' European hopes were also dashed with defeat by Coleraine in the play-offs. With the club looking to kick on in 2025-26, transfer business has already commenced. Kurtis Forsythe has joined from Carrick Rangers and Scottish winger Kieran McKechnie has also been added to the squad. Club captain Billy Joe Burns will leave this summer, ending a trophy-laden 11-year stint at the club, with Adam Lecky and Jimmy Callacher also moving on and Jordan Stewart returning to Glentoran. 2025-26 signings so far: Kurtis Forsythe (Carrick), Kieran McKechnie (Arbroath)2025-26 departures so far: Jordan Stewart (Glentoran), Billy Joe Burns (unattached), Jimmy Callacher (unattached), Adam Lecky (unattached), Billy Vance (unattached), Ryan Kerr (unattached), Mal Smith (unattached)
