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Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers looking inevitable and Bohs could be contenders – what we learned from Friday night's League of Ireland action
Feeling of inevitability around Shamrock Rovers A couple of weeks ago, giving an interview after Shamrock Rovers' 2-2 draw with Shelbourne , Jack Byrne suggested that if the Hoops were not fighting at the top of the table this season, certain players would no longer be at the club. Ten points from a possible 12 in the four games since represent a good response to that threat. Rovers are now two clear at the top of the League of Ireland , and with their history of finishing seasons stronger than they start them, things are looking ahead of schedule. Waterford began brightly at the RSC and took the lead 10 minutes in. Ryan Burke's cross was flat and inviting, though still a good 12 yards from goal when Pádraig Amond latched onto it. The veteran striker is so clever from this sort of range, and his flicked header bent beautifully into the top corner. READ MORE The away side gradually grew into the game. About 25 minutes in, a long throw-in down the line found Aaron Greene, who played a simple cut-back to Rory Gaffney for the equaliser. It was well contested from there on until Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan, who had been performing well, handed the game away, inexplicably side-footing a pass straight to Michael Noonan, who rolled the ball into an empty net with McMullan scurrying desperately to reach it. Graham Burke added a late third, indebted to the tenacity and power of new Republic of Ireland recruit Josh Honohan. Waterford had been pushing for an equaliser, but Rovers calmly flexed their muscle, sending an ominous warning sign to title rivals. New manager watches on as Cork City surrender another lead Remarkably, Cork City have dropped points from winning positions in eight of their 16 league games this season. New manager Gerard Nash was in attendance to watch his side at St Pat's, and he can be pleased with a lot of what he saw. Up against high pressure and the sharp prongs of Mason Melia, Aidan Keena and Jake Mulraney, the Leesiders managed to turn around a half-time deficit and they led with 15 minutes to go. It looked as though Stephen Kenny's side were set for a first home defeat of the season, but a familiar script unfolded. With 89 minutes on the clock, Zack Elbouzedi forced home an equaliser courtesy of the unfortunate Matthew Kiernan. Then, deep into stoppage time, Elbouzedi teed up Jamie Lennon, whose fizzed effort across goal found the corner. This was not a game Cork City were expected to win, but the trend of collapsing is cause for concern. Depleted by injuries and suspension, there are positives to take from the performance – Nash needs to turn them into points. Connacht derby piles misery on Galway United Most sides in the League of Ireland have to endure a difficult run of defeats at some point in the season, and Galway United are in the midst of theirs. Four losses in a row are highly unusual for John Caulfield's side, who have been notoriously difficult to beat since returning to the premier division in 2023. This was a redemptive, confidence-boosting win for Sligo, meanwhile, who remain bottom of the table but are now level on points with Cork City. Galway were the aggressors in the first half and saw decent looks spurned by Ed McCarthy and Patrick Hickey. Those chances grew fewer in the second period as Sligo started moving the ball better. Jad Hakiki and Owen Elding looked bright, the former testing Brendan Clarke well. Galway edged back into it and nearly took the lead – Hickey's bobbling finish hit the inside of Sam Sargeant's post and trickled agonisingly across the line. Cliche dictates that these moments go against you when you're down, and it proved to be a pivotal miss. Just 90 seconds later, Reece Hutchinson was fed in down the left to squeeze in the game's only goal. After so much early season promise, a bad run of form has Galway United down to eighth. It is no crisis, but the Tribesmen will need to turn things around quickly if they want to be back in any conversation around European spots. Good fortune the best tactic against Drogheda It can be close to impossible to break down Drogheda's defence when they are defending a lead, but Dominic Thomas showed one avenue beyond Luke Dennison late on to earn a 1-1 draw for Derry City at Sullivan and Lambe Park. The away side didn't deserve much against a Drogs outfit celebrating manager Kevin Doherty committing his future to the club until the end of 2027. It looked as though Elicha Ahui's first-half header had done enough to earn three points. The defender was man of the match when the two teams met in last season's FAI Cup final and he was at his best again on Friday night. Thomas Oluwa had a couple of big chances to kill the game, and Derry had one real sight of goal – a rusty Pat Hoban failed to get much power behind his half-volley from close range. In the end, a hopeful effort from Thomas deflected kindly off Ryan Brennan, wrongfooting Dennison and earning Derry a point that keeps them second. Resurgent Bohemians looking like contenders An incognito Damien Duff peered in from the grassy banks behind the goal at Dalymount Park as Bohemians marched to their sixth win in seven games. Suspended from the touchline after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, Duff watched another disappointing defeat for his Shelbourne side, who have slid to sixth in the table. Down to nine men by the end of the night after two red cards, he can take some heart from the fight they showed. Perhaps this one should have been more comfortable for Bohs, who had to hold on at the death despite their two-player advantage. Still, having amassed six points from their opening seven games, it is a stunning run of form for the Gypsies, who may now be dreaming of a title charge.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
League of Ireland: Shamrock Rovers and Shels in dramatic Tallaght battle; Pat's lead Bohs
Live | Today at 14:00 It's another busy evening in the League of Ireland, with two Dublin derbies in store as champions Shelbourne head to Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers and a resurgent Bohemians play host to St Patrick's Athletic. Elsewhere, league leaders Drogheda United travel to face Galway United, while managerless Waterford take on Derry City. Keep up to date with all the Premier and First Division action is it happens here. Key updates 67' GOAL! Level once again in Tallaght! Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2 Having just gone behind, Stephen Bradley's men clap back in an instant as Jack Byrne delivers a corner to the back post. It's kept alive and falls to Lee Grace who gets it out of his feet and crosses it low into the six-yard box for Dan Cleary to poke home. Incredible scenes! 65' GOAL! Shels turn it around! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 2 Unbelievable scenes in Tallaght as Damien Duff's men score almost a carbon copy goal. Kameron Ledwidge crosses from the left and Mipo Odubeko - the Tallaght native - is the man to keep his composure and tap home under pressure. 51' GOAL! Shels restore parity in style! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 1 What a beaultiful goal and what a dream substitution from Damien Duff as Ali Coote pulls Shels level in an instant. Jamie Norris crosses from the left and Harry Wood breaks it down for Coote to make the run from deep and poke the ball past Ed McGinty! Unbelievable considering Shels didn't manage a shot on target in that entire first-half! Drogs in front at Eamonn Deacy Park! Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1 Galway almost took the lead a handful of minutes earlier but Luke Dennison came to his side's rescue. All of a sudden on the stroke of half-time, the ball drops to Darragh Markey on the edge of the box. The March player of the month reacts first and drills it into the bottom corner. Waterford find the opener at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Derry City 0 It's not the prettiest but Waterford fans won't care in the slightest! Conan Noonan's corner leads to a goal-mouth scramble which is eventually poked home by Darragh Leahy in the 40th-minute. 28' GOAL! Matt Healy puts Rovers ahead! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 0 It's not a great look for Shels' shot-stopper Conor Kearns as it looked like a tame enough strike. Jack Byrne rolls it to Matt Healy outside the box who uses Mark Coyle's frame to curl it around the Shels' captain and into the net. It didn't look particularly powerful - perhaps Kearns' vision was obstructed by Coyle as he attempted to block the strike. Saints take the lead at Dalymount! Bohemians 0 - Athletic 1 After some neat play, Axel Sjoberg's cross from right is blocked by a hand in the box. Match referee Damien MacGraith doesn't hesitate and points straight to the spot. Chris Forrester shows his experience as he sends Kacper Chorazka the wrong way from the resulting penalty. League of Ireland Premier Division (all kick-offs 7.45pm) (69 mins) Bohemians 0 - Athletic 1 Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1 Waterford 2 - Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2 League of Ireland First Division (all kick-offs 7.45pm) (69 mins) Bray Wanderers 3 - Kerry 0 Cobh Ramblers 3 - Finn Harps 1 Treaty United 0 - Athlone Town 0 Wexford 0 - UCD 0 Just now 67' GOAL! Level once again in Tallaght! Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2 Having just gone behind, Stephen Bradley's men clap back in an instant as Jack Byrne delivers a corner to the back post. It's kept alive and falls to Lee Grace who gets it out of his feet and crosses it low into the six-yard box for Dan Cleary to poke home. Incredible scenes! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄!Dan Cleary pokes it in! 2-2! What a game in Tallaght! Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 4 minutes ago 65' GOAL! Shels turn it around! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 2 Unbelievable scenes in Tallaght as Damien Duff's men score almost a carbon copy goal. Kameron Ledwidge crosses from the left and Mipo Odubeko - the Tallaght native - is the man to keep his composure and tap home under pressure. 14 minutes ago 57' Close! Jack Byrne has been a thorn in Shels' side tonight. The midfielder swivels and aims for the top-right corner - just over the bar. Conor Kearns was rooted to the spot. 15 minutes ago GOAL! Bray Wanderers 3 - Kerry 0 (51 mins) What a night at the Carlisle Grounds for Danu Kinsella-Bishop who makes it a hattrick just six minutes into the second-half! GOAL! Cobh Ramblers 3 - Finn Harps 0 (49 mins) Things get even better for the Rams as Luka Le Bervet picks out Cian Bargary to extend the host's lead. 18 minutes ago 51' GOAL! Shels restore parity in style! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 1 What a beaultiful goal and what a dream substitution from Damien Duff as Ali Coote pulls Shels level in an instant. Jamie Norris crosses from the left and Harry Wood breaks it down for Coote to make the run from deep and poke the ball past Ed McGinty! Unbelievable considering Shels didn't manage a shot on target in that entire first-half! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓!!! 🔴🔴Ali Coote on the pitch a matter of seconds and he's equalised!What a substitution! #LOI | @shelsfc Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 21 minutes ago 49' A double substitution from Damien Duff as Sam Bone and Kerr McInroy are replaced by Ali Coote and Sean Gannon. 22 minutes ago 47' Chance! Shamrock Rovers resume where they left off before the interval as a poor kick-out from Conor Kearns is picked off. Michael Noonan finds himself in on goal from an acute angle - Kearns does well to make amends with a strong left leg to save the day. 24 minutes ago 46' The second-half gets under way in Tallaght as Shels get the ball rolling once again. No changes to either team after the break. 27 minutes ago WATCH: Half-time analysis from Keith Tracey on the Virgin Media panel League of Ireland on Twitter / X Post-match analysis at half-time in Tallaght. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025 33 minutes ago GOAL! Cobh Ramblers 2 - Finn Harps 0 (45+2 mins) A second goal of the game for the Rams as David Bosnjak turns provider just before the half-time whistle as Barry Coffey taps in. 37 minutes ago Half-time: Shamrock Rovers go into the break with the advantage! Sean O'Connor has his say... Half-time here at Tallaght and it's Rovers on top so far. Graham Burke and 16-year-old Michael Noonan threatening the Reds back line but Matt Healy broke the deadlock before the hour mark with his first goal for the club. The shot seemed to catch out Kearns, as the ex-Ireland U-21 man celebrated with a golf swing in front of an ecstatic south stand. Rovers could have double it just before the break there as Roberto Lopes headed just wide. Shels started well but local lad Mipo Odubeko has yet to test really test Ed McGinty so far. 39 minutes ago Drogs in front at Eamonn Deacy Park! Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1 Galway almost took the lead a handful of minutes earlier but Luke Dennison came to his side's rescue. All of a sudden on the stroke of half-time, the ball drops to Darragh Markey on the edge of the box. The March player of the month reacts first and drills it into the bottom corner. 43 minutes ago 45' Some neat work between Graham Burke and Dylan Watts wins a free for Rovers right on the edge of the box as Evan Caffrey commits the foul. The wall comes to Shels' rescue. There will be 2 minutes of additional time in Tallaght. 45 minutes ago Waterford find the opener at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Derry City 0 It's not the prettiest but Waterford fans won't care in the slightest! Conan Noonan's corner leads to a goal-mouth scramble which is eventually poked home by Darragh Leahy in the 40th-minute. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Darragh Leahy puts Waterford in front! 🔵The Blues take the lead approaching the break. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 48 minutes ago 40' Another nervy moment for Conor Kearns! Jack Byrne goes long and Kearns races from his line to try and claim it. The 26-year-old keeper is beaten to it by Micheal Noonan, but Shels scramble to clear their lines before Noonan can capitalise on the half-open goal. 52 minutes ago 34' A decent effort to reply from Shels as Harry Wood crosses to the back post for the lurking Mipo Odubeko. Dan Cleary manages to get a vital touch on it to concede the corner which yields nothing for Damien Duff's men. 58 minutes ago 28' GOAL! Matt Healy puts Rovers ahead! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 0 It's not a great look for Shels' shot-stopper Conor Kearns as it looked like a tame enough strike. Jack Byrne rolls it to Matt Healy outside the box who uses Mark Coyle's frame to curl it around the Shels' captain and into the net. It didn't look particularly powerful - perhaps Kearns' vision was obstructed by Coyle as he attempted to block the strike. Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐘! ☘️Rovers lead in Tallaght. Conor Kearns got this one all wrong! #LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 03:14 PM Saints take the lead at Dalymount! Bohemians 0 - Athletic 1 After some neat play, Axel Sjoberg's cross from right is blocked by a hand in the box. Match referee Damien MacGraith doesn't hesitate and points straight to the spot. Chris Forrester shows his experience as he sends Kacper Chorazka the wrong way from the resulting penalty. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Chris Forrester from the spot! ⚽The Saints take the lead in Dalymount. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Live Blog Software
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
League of Ireland: Follow all the action from around the country as Shamrock Rovers face Shels in Dublin derby
Live | It's another busy evening in the League of Ireland, with two Dublin derbies in store as champions Shelbourne head to Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers and a resurgent Bohemians play host to St Patrick's Athletic. Elsewhere, league leaders Drogheda United travel to face Galway United, while managerless Waterford take on Derry City. Keep up to date with all the Premier and First Division action is it happens here. 3 minutes ago GOAL! Bray Wanderers 2 - Kerry 0 (11 mins) Two goals in as many minutes for Bray as Danu Bishop Kinsella bags an early brace. The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the 9th-minute before netting a second just two minutes later. League of Ireland on Twitter / X Danu Kinsella Bishop puts the hosts ahead! 🟢⚪Bray Wanderers take the lead against Kerry. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025 6 minutes ago 11' Chance! Sam Bone didn't cover himself in glory there as Jack Byrne's ball is headed up into the air by the Englishman and Michael Noonan pinches possession. The 16-year-old is in on goal and shoots, but Conor Kearns makes a big save to deny him. 8 minutes ago 10' A first chance of the evening for Shels as Mipo Odubeko sees his shot deflect behind for a corner. Perhaps the 22-year-old ought to have fed Evan Caffrey there. Caffrey's resulting corner swings to the back post and Ed McGinty has to deal with it underneath the crossbar. 14 minutes ago 5' Shamrock Rovers on the front foot early on as Josh Honohan and Jack Byrne try to pick out teammates in the box. Neither manage to find their man. 18 minutes ago 1' The first-half gets underway between Rovers and Shels! Its been showery at times this afternoon but it's relatively mild in Tallaght with temperatures of around 11 degrees and a moderate breeze. The other three games in the Premier Division and four fixtures in the First Division kick-off simultaneously. 22 minutes ago SHELS' TEAM TONIGHT: Reigning champions Shelbourne will be hoping to go one better after last week's draw with Galway United. Tonight, Damien Duff makes a solitary alteration as Mipo Odubeko gets the nod over Ali Coote. Mark Coyle captains the Drumcondra side: Shelbourne FC 🏆 on Twitter / X 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐗𝐈 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 🔥Here's your team to face Shamrock Rovers tonight!Kick-off at 7:45pm, tune in live at @VMSportIE #DublinsFinest | #Since1895 Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) April 25, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 27 minutes ago SHAMROCK ROVERS LINE-UP: Stephen Bradley's men were left stunned by Bohemians on Monday and will want to rectify the result with a win over Shels this evening. Stephen Bradley's team line up as follows with Roberto Lopes as skipper and two changes as Graham Burke and Danny Grant replace Aaron Greene and Johnny Matthews: Shamrock Rovers FC on Twitter / X Tonight's Starting XI against Shelbourne 🔢 Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) April 25, 2025 28 minutes ago Stephen Bradley speaking to Virgin Media ahead of kick-off: Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X "They always respond. They've done that for a long period of time."Stephen Bradley looking his Shamrock Rovers players to bounce back from Monday's defeat to Bohs. #LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025 29 minutes ago WATCH: Damien Duff with Virgin Media ahead of kick-off Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X "Don't worry we haven't fallen out." 😅Damien Duff on the absence of Sean Boyd from the Shels squad tonight. #LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025 32 minutes ago It's a case of familiar old stomping grounds for Shels' Mipo Odubeko as the 22-year-old returns his childhood home of Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers: 'I grew up down the road from Tallaght Stadium' – Shelbourne's Mipo Odubeko on being a ball boy for Shamrock Rovers When Mipo Odubeko hops off the Shelbourne team bus tomorrow evening and strolls into Tallaght Stadium, chances are there will be a couple of young Reds fans waiting patiently, hoping to catch a glimpse of the striker and the rest of Damien Duff's champions. 36 minutes ago Sean O'Connor is in Tallaght this evening as the Hoops take on Shels: Hello and welcome to Tallaght Stadium for one of two huge Dublin derbies in the capital tonight as Shamrock Rovers host the champions. After mixed Easter weekend's these two sides are looking to get back to winning ways here, after Rovers let six points slip from winning positions against St Pat's and Bohs while Shels had back to back draws against Drogheda and Galway. In terms of team news, Stephen Bradley has made two changes from Monday's defeat to Bohs as Graham Burke and Danny Grant come in for Aaron Greene and Adam Matthews. Damien Duff has made one change from Monday's draw against Galway. Harry Wood comes in for Ali Coote. Local lad Mipo Odubeko, who used to wait outside the stadium here hoping to get chosen as a ballboy, starts up front for the Reds as Sean Boyd misses out with injury. A win here for either side could be enough to rise to the top of the table depending on results elsewhere, with the Hoops and the Reds both on 18 points and two off leaders Drogheda. 45 minutes ago Dan McDonnell sat down with Sligo Rovers CEO Andrew Feakins to discuss how the English businessman ended up in his role with the Bit O'Red: 'I must be the luckiest man alive' – Meet the Sligo CEO who was wrongly told he had months to live Match day can bring the chief executive of a League of Ireland club to unexpected places. 51 minutes ago Shamrock Rovers expect their young teenage star Victor Ozhianvuna will smash the transfer fee record for a League of Ireland player, as Aidan Fitzmaurice reports: 'This is serious stuff' – Stephen Bradley confirms intense interest in Shamrock Rovers teen Victor Ozhianvuna as record deal looms Shamrock Rovers expect that teenage star Victor Ozhianvuna will smash the transfer record for a League of Ireland player. 53 minutes ago Some pre-match watching for you all – Dan McDonnell and Aidan Fitzmaurice preview tonight's round of League of Ireland action: League of Ireland Premier Division preview - Another two big Dublin derbies to look forward to Seán O'Connor and Aidan Fitzmaurice preview this week's League of Ireland Premier Division action as Bohemians welcome St Pat's and champions Shelbourne visit Shamrock Rovers in two big Dublin derbies. 55 minutes ago Good evening and welcome to another live blog covering Matchday 12 of the League of Ireland Premier Division. My name is Ultán Corcoran, and I will be keeping you up to speed with all the action it unfolds around the grounds. We have four games kicking off at 7.45pm tonight – Shamrock Rovers welcome the reigning champions Shelbourne to Tallaght with televised coverage on Virgin Media 2 from 7.30pm.
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
League of Ireland and NIFL collect LEAST amount from €233m UEFA fund for clubs whose stars play for their countries
THE League of Ireland received the second lowest amount from UEFA's Club Benefits Programme. record €233million to clubs to compensate them for their players being away with European national teams for competitions they organise. Advertisement 1 Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny looks on as Jack Byrne warms-up during the UEFA Nations League B match against Bulgaria Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Under the deal agreed between UEFA and the European Club Association, clubs received an equal share for each player released for international duty, as well as a fixed amount per player per day during the final tournament. It covers the 2020-21 and 2022-23 UEFA English clubs - ranging from Yorkshire Amateur FC in the tenth tier - shared the biggest slice of the pie, a whopping €46,888,361 But four of our clubs shared just €95,134 from the pot, the second lowest after the Northern Ireland Football League, which collected only €43,908. Advertisement Read More on League of Ireland In contrast, continental minnows such as Andorra, Faroe Islands, That is because those countries have a high incidence of home-based players in their national teams whereas, here, it is a rarity, with current internationals for other countries also uncommon. During that time, Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive But the biggest contributor to their pay-day was Markus Poom who featured regularly for Estonia during his two-year-long stay on loan from Flora Tallinn. They do not get anything from UEFA for Roberto Lopes' appearances for Cape Verde because the African nation is not one of their members. Tim Clancy calls on League of Ireland to make drastic change after Cork City boss' clash with referee Rivals Bohemians received €3,659 for the call-up of keeper James Talbot for the Sligo Rovers scooped far larger amounts as a result of the overseas players they had on their books . Advertisement The Lilywhites had both Sonni Nattestad of the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar's Louie Annesley on their books during that time and collected €18,295. Nattestad's compatriot Stefan Radosavljevic spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Bit O' Red before returning home. And they also benefitted from the Estonia call-ups for Frank Liivak and Bogdan Vastsuk which meant they received a total of €29,272.
