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The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'That will do wonders for his confidence, the only thing he's lacking has been goals'
STEPHEN KENNY HAILED his side's performance after St Patrick's Athletic beat Hegelmann 2-0 in Lithuania to secure their place in the second qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League and net a minimum of €700,000. Goals in either half from Kian Leavy and Mason Melia, coupled with Aidan Keena's first-leg penalty, ensured the Dublin side secured a convincing 3-0 aggregate win. The second goal on the night was particularly well-worked by a team who had scored just once in six Premier Division matches before this tie. 'It's a brilliant finish by Kian, a good pass by Mason,' Kenny said afterwards. 'We are delighted to win home and away and keep clean sheets back to back in Europe, four clean sheets in a row [overall]. The players are defending well, and to win is a great boost because it's difficult to win home and away in Europe, no matter who you are playing.' 😍 The assist by Melia 🎯 The finish by Leavy ⚽️⚽️ The Saints double their advantage on the night & now lead 3-0 on aggregate Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 Kenny hailed Leavy in particular. The 23-year-old midfielder missed out on a starting XI spot in the first leg, but his performance this evening suggests he will retain his place for the foreseeable future. In addition to his clinical finish to double the Saints' advantage on the night, he had a hand in the opener with a mazy run and clever pass from which Jason McClelland's low shot was poked home by an alert Melia on the rebound. Advertisement 'We hit a barren period, but overall, we are a team that, over the last year, has scored a high number of goals. We have to get back on track now because that was expensive for us, in league terms. 'But tonight is about the European game, and that was a tough game for periods, but we played and controlled it really well. Without doubt, the standout performer — the player who caught the eye most was Kian Leavy — his influence on the night and the goal rounded it off for him, his first European goal. 'I think Kian is a good striker of the ball. Sometimes he's reluctant because he's so fast running with it, he doesn't get it out of his stride to strike it. He keeps his control so close to his feet, but tonight in the second half, he had one brilliant strike from 25 yards, where he got into his stride and connected brilliantly with it, and it's just wide; he missed the top corner. 'After that, he got on the end of Mason's pass and finished really well, that will do wonders for his confidence, the only thing he's lacking has been goals, he scored against Galway earlier in the season. That goal was brilliant for him, and hopefully he'll kick on. 'It's very unusual to get players who can dribble from central areas. He was very effective tonight.' Our opener in Lithuania thanks to Mason Melia's close range finish, a first European goal for the 17-year-old after great work by Leavy & McClelland in the build-up Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 Kenny was similarly pleased with Melia. After Keena came off the bench to score the winner in the first leg, the Dubliner might have been tempted to start the Mullingar man, but the manager's faith in the 17-year-old was ultimately rewarded. 'Every goal doesn't have to be a brilliant finish. There is nothing wrong with finishing in the six-yard box…striker's goals. We've been lacking those types of goals. Jason McClelland did brilliantly, and he was in there to finish it. 'He won't get an easier goal, but it's because he read the situation and he anticipated it, and that's a good sign. There are more goals like that for him if he continues to react like that. 'Aidan Keena has been doing well as well, pushing Mason. It's a collective effort. Aidan got the goal to give us the big win we needed, a pressure goal in Richmond Park last week, and Mason was on hand to get the goal tonight, so it's good to have both strikers contributing.' Kenny also paid tribute to Chris Forrester, after the 32-year-old came off the bench to make a club-record-breaking 25th European appearance. 'It's been a milestone week for him. His 400th appearance for the club last week, and also his 25th today in Europe. '[Former Pat's player] Ian Bermingham, of course, was in Tirana tonight for us as it happens. While he was in Tirana, his record was taken away from him by his good friend, Chris. So it's a great achievement, and hopefully, there's more for him there.' Bermingham, who is Head of Academy Football at Pat's, was in Albania to watch Partizani Tirana play Nõmme Kalju. The Estonian side won 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate after extra time to set up a second-round clash with Pat's.
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Leavy and Melia lead the way as classy St Pat's march on in Europe
Uefa Conference League, first-round qualifier, second leg Hegelmann 0 St Patrick's Athletic 2 St Patrick's Athletic win 3-0 on aggregate THIS WAS CLASSY and clinical from St Patrick's Athletic as they cut through Heglemann on their own patch to begin what they hope to be a resurgence in their season. Mason Melia and Kian Leavy did the damage with a goal each and all-round performances that were beguiling. Stephen Kenny has said his players have been doing all the right things during their sticky patch in the Premier Division and this display backed up such belief as the European campaign goes on. This was an Irish side going to Lithuania and looking stronger in every element of the game – tactically, physically and technically. The first leg was a story of missed opportunities but after six minutes of the return St Pat's were sharp and ruthless and, crucially, leading by two legs in the tie. The excellent Leavy started with purpose, perhaps with a point to prove given he was the one change to the starting XI in Dublin and began in place of Brandon Kavanagh. He drifted dangerously and blithely across the final third, taking the ball with his back to goal or turning and running with impressive decisiveness. It was this willingness to act on the front foot that created the opening goal, cutting in from the right wing, across the penalty box and getting his head up and the perfect time to see the run of Jason McClelland between two ball-watching Heglemann defenders. 😍 The assist by Melia 🎯 The finish by Leavy ⚽️⚽️ The Saints double their advantage on the night & now lead 3-0 on aggregate Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 The left back faked to take the shot first time, his marker stuttered just enough to allow him take a touch and powerful shot that was palmed by the goalkeeper straight into the path of the on-rushing Melia who tapped home inside the six-yard box. It was the perfect start to soothe any nerves and allow the Pat's players settle into their groove. Advertisement Leavy typified this confidence and spent the half with his head on a swivel and defenders with blurred vision trying to keep up his quick feet. The manner in which Pat's completely took charge of the game bodes well as their European run now sets to continue into the second qualifying round of this competition. At least €700,000 has been banked and with their opponents to be confirmed later this evening – the winner of Partizani from Albania and Estonia's Nõmme Kalju FC await – Kenny's side look to have rediscovered their mojo in the final third at just the right time. On the evidence of this performance it's baffling to realise Pat's had scored just once in 10 hours of football prior to the first leg. In Lithuania it looked as though they were capable of carving Hegelmann open at every opportunity. The way in which they made certain of progress with a second goal of the evening on 56 minutes illustrated the gulf in class, and there was no surprise to see Melia and Leavy combine to such devasting effect. The 17-year-old striker dropped into the centre circle, recieved a pass under pressure but had the close control and running ability to sprint away from pressure and end up on the opponents' 18-yard box within a matter of seconds. After doing all that hard work he maintained his cool to play an easy pass to his left for Melia. Others might well have overhit or miscued the ball after expending such energy but instead it was ideal for Leavy to take one touch, swivel his hips and leave a defender on the astro, then carefully rifle a finish into the roof of the net. It was lethal all round and the end of whatever resistance was left from the home side had wilted. Yet another clean sheet was never in danger for the Saints. The hosts were lucky not to concede a penalty when Melia was body checked in the box, and by that stage it was game-management for the Saints. Chris Forrester's substitute appearance on 80 minutes means he now holds the record for Pat's in Europe with 25. There will be at least two more opportunities to add to that tally and if this is the start of a resurgence who knows when it will end. Hegelmann: Vincentas Sarkauskas; Klaudijus Upstas, Vilius Armalas, Nikola Doric, Carlos Duke; Domantas Antanavicius, Lazar Kojic, Artem Shchedryi; Donatas Kazlauskas, Kader Njoya Abdel, Leo Ribeiro. St Patrick's Athletic: Joey Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond (captain), Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland (Anto Breslin 80); Jake Mulraney (Zach Elbouzedi HT), Barry Baggley, Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Al-Amin Kazeem 88), Simon Power (Chris Forrester 80); Mason Melia (Aidan Keena 72). Referee: Mads Kristoffersen (Den).
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Melia ‘buzzing' to score first European goal as family make trip to Lithuania
Mason Melia said he was 'buzzing' to score his first European goal - and to have his family in Lithuania to watch him notch his landmark strike. Melia tapped home from close range after just six minutes and then he produced a wonderful assist early in the second-half to tee up Kian Leavy for the Saints' second of the evening, to secure a 3-0 aggregate win over Hegelmann. 'I'm buzzing with it,' said Melia, who doesn't turn 18 until late-September. 'Obviously it's a proper striker's goal, just follow in. 'Kian did brilliant, Jay had a great shot and I was just following in, really. A striker's instinct. I'm buzzing to get the first one. 'I think it was huge (to get an early goal). Obviously we got the fans going early and it got us going early. It was a good start and that's what you wanted in any game of football. I'm buzzing.' Pat's were roared on by around 300 noisy travelling supporters, including some of Melia's family. He added: 'I'm buzzing to have them. And obviously with family here to support me as well it makes it even better.' 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 . Leavy echoed his teammate on the importance of the early opener, adding: 'I think the first two or three minutes, they came out and were a little bit on top. 'But then for us to get the goal early on was brilliant. It settled us down.' That was also the case with his second-half goal, which killed off the tie. 'Again, the message was at half-time that the next goal was crucial, because you didn't want to let them back into the game and give them a foothold,' Leavy continued. 'As soon as you get that goal, you are three goals up and they have to score three goals, so you are comfortable then.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Spurs-bound Melia scores first European goal as St Pat's ease through
Mason Melia turned on the style in Europe on Thursday evening to ease St Patrick's Athletic into the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League. The Tottenham-bound striker scored his first European goal after just six minutes to settle any nerves the Saints might have had, as they looked to build on last week's 1-0 win at Richmond Park. And he provided a classy assist for Kian Leavy's second-half strike to end any prospect of a comeback by Lithuanian side FC Hegelmann. READ MORE: Shelbourne bank €1.7m Champions League progress and edge closer to league phase READ MORE: Former Shamrock Rovers and Inter Milan youngster scores in trial game for Sligo Rovers Stephen Kenny's side will face the winners of Kalju (Estonia) or Partizani (Albania), who kick off at 7pm with that tie delicately poised at 1-1 from the first-leg. Leavy was outstanding throughout, with his fancy footwork causing all sorts of problems for Hegelmann, while Jay McClelland played a big role on the left. Joe Redmond and Tom Grivosti put in a couple of big blocks and tackles to curb the limited attacking threat of their hosts. But they were all upstaged by 17-year-old Melia, who next January will become the most expensive export from the League of Ireland when he leaves for Tottenham. He opened the scoring after just six minutes when he tapped the ball home from close range. The finish was an easy one, but that's only because his brilliant movement made it so. As McClelland raced onto a Leavy pass and drove the ball across goal, Melia was already on the move to get across his defender and finish, as goalkeeper Vincentos Sarkouskas could only palm the ball into his path. His contribution for Leavy's strike in the 56th minute was even more impressive. The teenager turned his man on half-way and gave a demonstration of his pace by sprinting towards the area. With Leavy in space to his left, he slipped the ball to the attacking midfielder, who switched it onto his left foot before rifling an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net. Hegelmann didn't offer a whole lot in attack, but they could have levelled the tie before Melia's strike. Redmond's brave block denied Njoya Abdel, and Carlos Duke smashed the rebound over from 12 yards. That's the closest they came to finding the net on a sticky evening in Lithuania. Pat's were in control for most of the game, and could have added to their tally. Melia was denied what looked to be a clear penalty when he was bundled over in the box. But the damage was already done, with Pat's comfortably on their way to a guaranteed €500,000 in prize money and a spot in the second round. HEGELMANN: Vincentas Sarkauskas 6; Klaudijus Upstas 5, Vilius Armalas 6, Nikola Doric 6, Carlos Duke 6; Lazar Kojic 5, Domantas Antanavičius 6 (Abdoul Samad Harouna 70); Donatas Kazlauskas 6 (Emilis Kausinis 70), Leo Ribeiro 6 (Yanis Azouzi 84), Artem Shchedryi 6 (Patrick Popescu 63); Njoya Abdel 5 (Rasheed Yusuf 63). ST PAT'S: Joseph Anang 6; Ryan McLaughlin 6, Tom Grivosti 7, Joe Redmond 7, Jay McClelland 8 (Chris Forrester 79); Kian Leavy 8 (Al-Amin Kazeem 88), Barry Bagley 7, Jamie Lennon 7; Simon Power 6 (Anto Breslin 79), Mason Melia 8 (Aidan Keena 72), Jake Mulraney 5 (Zach Elbouzedi 46). REFEREE: Mads Kristoffersen (Denmark) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CNN Chief Operating Officer Heads Back to Warner Bros. Discovery
After a two-year stint managing CNN's business during a leadership and strategy transition, David Leavy is heading back to his longtime home at parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. The executive had joined as chief operating officer of the cable news network during the short-lived Chris Licht-led era then stepped in to co-lead the brand days later after Licht was fired in June 2023. More from The Hollywood Reporter C-SPAN's Next Big Bet Is a "Radically Different" Sort of Cable News Show: 'CeaseFire' CNN to Air Live Broadcast of George Clooney's 'Good Night and Good Luck' in Broadway First CNN Sending Eva Longoria to France as 'Searching For' Franchise Expands (Exclusive) 'David arrived at CNN in tumultuous times and did a brilliant job stabilizing the company at a difficult moment,' read a note from CNN president Mark Thompson to staff on Wednesday. 'During the transition he led CNN jointly with Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley and Eric Sherling and played a central part helping me into my role as chairman and CEO before, as COO, leading multiple organizations and teams across revenue, promotion, operations and data.' Leavy, who had spent two decades at Discovery prior to parachuting in to CNN during a moment of uncertainty, will return to the Warners corporate fold in an unspecified role. 'David will spend the next month or so ensuring a smooth transition, which should also give everyone who's worked with him a chance to say thank you for his major contribution during his tour of duty here,' Thompson wrote. At the time of his appointment two years ago, CNN was in the middle of an overhaul executed by Licht that involved significantly reworking the channel's programming to combat declining ratings and multiple on-air talent shuffles. Licht, who joined the brand in 2022 after time as a producer at Morning Joe, CBS This Morning, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, had his tenure cut short after Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav pulled the plug. ('I take full responsibility,' Zaslav said at the time.) Leavy was then tasked with ensuring a steady transition to the next leadership era at CNN, which kicked off months later when former BBC and New York Times executive Mark Thompson was named its new chief. Now just shy of two years at CNN, Thompson is executing a digital pivot that includes pushing for online subscribers, a strategy that proved successful for the Times as the paper amassed 11.7 million paying subs. That includes CNN launching a new standalone streaming service (apart from the pay TV bundle), with pricing to-be-determined, this fall. Thompson noted a slew of org chart reporting changes as Leavy returns to Warners. 'Following his departure, Phil Nelson's international commercial and revenue teams and Emily Kuhn's communications organization will report into me, as will Sam Felix in her role as overall head of partnerships. Paul Crum's Newsource groups will report into Phil. I will continue to work closely and directly with Karen Bronzo and her creative marketing organization. John Davies' Studio and Tech Ops will report into Eric Sherling's programming team,' the CNN chief wrote. Thompson added, 'Jamie Benedict's strategy team and Nick Cavaliere's research group will now all report to Adam Cohn, our CFO, and Christine Yi will also now report into Adam's team. John Courtney's Image + Sound teams will report into Virginia Moseley's Global News organization, and Stacey Wolf's business affairs team will move under Amy Entelis' leadership. Anne Gordon, David's longtime trusted right hand, will stay with him and also transition to WBD.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
