Latest news with #McGinty
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Galway hold weary Rovers to Deacy Park stalemate
Stalemate on Corribside as Galway United and Premier Division table-toppers Shamrock Rovers drew 0-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park. It was an encounter where Galway started on the front foot and took the game to a sluggish Rovers side, who were far from their best after playing European football in Kosovo during the week. In the 11th minute, Jimmy Keohane was the first to test Ed McGinty when his close-range strike from a free kick was palmed away to safety. From the following corner kick, Killian Brouder was unable to direct a header goalwards, before Stephen Walsh had an acrobatic effort go just wide of the target. Just 10 minutes later, Keohane made McGinty work again when the Rovers shot-stopper produced an efficient save to keep out the long-range shot. Rovers gradually grew into the contest, but were left frustrated going into the break as the Tribesmen maintained a strong defensive shape to keep the opposition's attack at bay. At the start of the second half, McGinty did well to gather a low Ed McCarthy strike on his second attempt, while Rob Slevin headed a free kick over the crossbar. Clear-cut chances remained at a minimum, as Stephen Bradley emptied his bench filled with quality throughout the second period, but John Caulfield's hard-working team held firm. The opportunity of the contest came the way of United substitute Dara McGuinness with just over ten minutes to go, but the impressive McGinty produced a stunning finger-tip save to keep the goalbound effort out. The two teams pushed for a winner, but it wasn't to be, as Rovers will thank their goalkeeper for helping them earn a point on the up for Galway United is an FAI Cup fixture against neighbours Salthill Devon, while Shamrock Rovers host Ballkani in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League qualifier. Galway United: Clarke; Slevin, Brouder, Walsh (Borden 75), Cunningham; Hurley, Hickey (McGuinness 65), Keohane, McCarthy (Bolger 65), Buckley; Esua.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie's comeback against Ross County shows we can be a force this season, says Sean McGinty
Sean McGinty reckons Airdrie's stirring second half comeback over title favourites Ross County shows they have a squad that can compete in the Championship this term. The Diamonds were in the doldrums last season, rooted to the foot of the table for most of the season before a 15-point deduction for McGinty's former club Hamilton Accies saved them from relegation and gave them a play-off lifeline that they grasped with both hands. Now with a fresh start and a revamped squad, Airdrie kicked off with an impressive comeback from 2-0 down to salvage a point from the Staggies, who are tipped to go straight back to the Premiership this term and looked to be cruising after Aki Wright's double. But Euan Henderson's fine second-half brace has got the Diamonds up and running and McGinty feels there's a group at New Broomfield who can make an impact this term. He said: 'It is a really good group of players and I think we've seen in that second half that when it all comes together, we can compete this season and we have a really good team here. 'We just didn't quite put it together in the first half, but I am really impressed by the second half performance and, hopefully, we can take that into the rest of the season. 'Ross County are supposed to be one of them teams who will be right up there and we've completed very well against them, but we'll just take every game as it comes.' Centre-back McGinty kept the Staggies' star striker Ronan Hale quiet on the day, as the £1m-rated hitman failed to find the target. And McGinty said: 'Ronan is a good player, he scored a lot of goals in the Premiership last season. 'I'm not sure how much longer he will be here, he'll probably move on in the next few weeks and I am sure wherever he goes he will continue to bang in the goals. 'But I really enjoyed it out there. In the first game of the season, you blow the cobwebs off in the first 1-15 minutes of the game. 'I thought we got right into it, started really well and had them on the back foot, so we are really disappointed with their first goal. One of our players gets blocked and it is a free header. 'The boys put in a really strong performance after that and showed really good character to come back into the game from 2-0 down.' It provides plenty of positives to take into Saturday's tricky trip to Dunfermline, but McGinty won't get carried away. He added: 'It's only the first game and there is a long way to go, but we will give 100 per cent and see where it takes it us, come May. 'It is a good point and we are looking forward to Dunfermline now.'
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shamrock Rovers trailing after first leg defeat to Ballkani
Shamrock Rovers will feel they have enough about them to progress to the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League despite trailing 1-0 to Kosovan side FC Ballkani after the first leg of their third round qualifying clash. Sunday Adetunji scored the only goal of this game at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina to hand the Kosovans the advantage ahead of the return leg at Tallaght Stadium next Thursday. Premier Division leaders Rovers were nowhere near their best in this one against an outfit who are yet to start their domestic campaign. Stephen Bradley's side struggled to find the higher gears on a frustrating night for the Dublin outfit who will be disappointed with the lack of opportunities created. The Hoops boss made just the one change from last weekend's league win over Derry City. Darragh Nugent came in for Aaron McEneff, while Roberto Lopes' start in defence saw the Cape Verde international become Rovers' record appearance holder in Europe, his 48th turnout in continental competition, one ahead of the previous holder Ronan Finn. Without heavy hitters such as McEneff, Jack Byrne, Graham Burke and Trevor Clarke through injury, the visitors were happy to go in scoreless at half-time in this one. There was an early tactical mix-up from the Kosovans who somehow allowed the unmarked Nugent the freedom of the Hoops' final third. However, Danny Mandroiu's through pass lacked the necessary finesse as his over-hit ball ended up going through to Adnan Golubovic in the Ballkani goal. The Suhareka-based side, who begin their season next weekend, threatened Ed McGinty's goal on several occasions throughout the opening period. Nigerian striker Adetunji was just short of Brazilian wide-man Giovanni's cross on 12 minutes. Adetunji arrived a split-second too late to meet the Sao Paulo native's ball from the left, to the expense of McGinty who Adetunji crashed into in the aftermath. McGinty, thankfully recovered, had to show a strong fist to beat away Geralb Smajli's stinger from 20 yards out on Ballkani's next attack three minutes later. Orges Shehi's charges looked to expose Rovers' right side again on 20 when Almir Kryeziu pulled inside only to pull his resulting shot well wide of the target. The Hoops were struggling somewhat to retain possession inside the opposition half, but were themselves comfortable with what their opponents could throw at them. There was a moment of worry for the travelling support on 34 when a short Ballkani corner ended up with Ardit Deliu. But the Albanian sliced his shot narrowly wide of McGinty's goal from the edge of the 'D'. The former Sligo Rovers stopper had to keep an eye on Kryeziu's mishit cross nine minutes from the interval which sailed over McGinty and beyond his far post. Stephen Bradley's men pulled a first save from Golubovic before the break after the hosts lost Ivica Batarelo to a suspected hamstring pull. The goalkeeper's acrobatics saw him take Josh Honohan's header from a Dylan Watts corner off his own line at full stretch. In what was the first meeting between a Kosovan and an Irish side in European competition, it was Rovers who fashioned the first chance of the second period. However, Mandroiu was unable to sort his feet out in time to guide Honohan's squared ball beyond Golubovic from close range six minutes after the re-start. Rovers were made to regret this on 56 minutes when the hosts hit the front. Adetunji's deft touch to take in Geralb Smajli's assist and send Dan Cleary out of the game bought the striker the space to compose himself before executing a calm finish beyond McGinty. Ballkani, who knocked out Maltese side Floriana in the previous round, should have punished Rovers further before the hour but Kryeziu could only blaze over after McGinty had denied Walid Hamidi's drive from the angle. The busy McGinty then had to use both hands to keep hold of an effort from Kryeziu as the home side looked to double their advantage against a now faltering Hoops. Giovanni flashed a left footer past the post after the Rovers rearguard struggled to get rid of a route one ball forward from the Ballkani back line. Golubovic was again Ballkani's hero in the second minute of added time at the end of this first leg. The Slovenian net minder again denied another Honanhan header, this time from a Watts set piece from the Rovers left. FC Ballkani: Adnan Golubovic; Geralb Smajli, Ivica Batarelo (Bajram Jashanica 39), Gentrit Halili, Arber Potoku (Elvis Letaj 86); Ardit Deliu, Giovanni, Albert Diene; Walid Hamidi (Bleart Tolaj 65), Sunday Adetunji, Almir Kryeziu. Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Josh Honohan, Danny Grant; Matt Healy, Danny Mandroiu, Darragh Nugent (Connor Malley 60), Dylan Watts; Rory Gaffney (Michael Noonan 60).
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
All to play for in second leg as Hoops escape from Kosovo with single-goal defeat
They knew all about the danger posed by centre forward Sunday Adetunji ahead of their trip to the Kosovan capital Pristina. And if they are to keep their hopes of regular Thursday night football into the winter months alive, they will require a pristine evening at Tallaght Stadium next week. The Nigerian striker's 56th minute goal was a moment of class that separated victors Ballkani from the League of Ireland side. Adetunji's previous goal against Rovers was for Shkupi, an injury-time consolation in the second leg of a tie the Irish side won 5-2 three years ago. His effort this time looks like it could be much more consequential. As has been par for the course of late, Josh Honohan was a standout performer for Rovers. Their outstanding chance came in the first half when he met Dylan Watts' corner with a header only to be denied in spectacular fashion by Slovenian goalkeeper Adnan Golubovic. The hostile atmosphere expected at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium did not really materialise. Travelling Hoops supporters certainly looked relaxed in the early stages as they watched their side grow into the game following a strong Ballkani start. Almir Kryeziu's pass inside Daniel Cleary put Geovanni in behind on the 12 minute mark but his square ball was just ahead of Adetunji. Geralb Smajli fired at goal from range in that good early spell for the hosts too, but while it was well struck, Ed McGinty was untroubled by it. Rovers were at their most dangerous in the latter stages of the first half. But after the break, their threat deserted them. Ballkani's goal came at the conclusion of an eye-catching 11-pass move which culminated in Smajli slipping in Adetunji. With Pico Lopes pulled out of position, Cleary was forced inside on the cover, only to beaten by the striker's turn. His left-foot finish offered McGinty no chance. Rovers were fortunate not to fall further behind minutes later when Kryeziu wastefully blasted over from close range after an instinctive McGinty save. Lopes was making a club record 48th European appearance and chasing the game, Stephen Bradley called on recent signing Connor Malley to make his continental bow as the away team sought extra thrust going forward. Only Honohan provided it – the goalkeeper palmed away his header from a Watts free-kick in injury time. Ballkani: Golubovic, Smalji, Batarelo (Jashanica, 39), Halili, Potuku (Letaj, 85); Deliu, Giovanni, Albert; Hamidi (Tolaj, 65), Adetunji, Kryeziu. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Grant, Healy, Watts, Nugent (Gaffney, 60), Honohan; Mandoiu, Gaffney (Malley, 60).
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
All to play for in second leg as Hoops escape from Kosovo with one-goal defeat
They knew all about the danger posed by centre forward Sunday Adetunji ahead of their trip to the Kosovan capital Pristina. And if they are to keep their hopes of regular Thursday night football into the winter months alive, they will require a pristine evening at Tallaght Stadium next week. The Nigerian striker's 56th minute goal was a moment of class that separated victors Ballkani from the League of Ireland side. Adetunji's previous goal against Rovers was for Shkupi, an injury-time consolation in the second leg of a tie the Irish side won 5-2 three years ago. His effort this time looks like it could be much more consequential. As has been par for the course of late, Josh Honohan was a standout performer for Rovers. Their outstanding chance came in the first half when he met Dylan Watts' corner with a header only to be denied in spectacular fashion by Slovenian goalkeeper Adnan Golubovic. The hostile atmosphere expected at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium did not really materialise. Travelling Hoops supporters certainly looked relaxed in the early stages as they watched their side grow into the game following a strong Ballkani start. Almir Kryeziu's pass inside Daniel Cleary put Geovanni in behind on the 12 minute mark but his square ball was just ahead of Adetunji. Geralb Smajli fired at goal from range in that good early spell for the hosts too, but while it was well struck, Ed McGinty was untroubled by it. Rovers were at their most dangerous in the latter stages of the first half. But after the break, their threat deserted them. Ballkani's goal came at the conclusion of an eye-catching 11-pass move which culminated in Smajli slipping in Adetunji. With Pico Lopes pulled out of position, Cleary was forced inside on the cover, only to beaten by the striker's turn. His left-foot finish offered McGinty no chance. Rovers were fortunate not to fall further behind minutes later when Kryeziu wastefully blasted over from close range after an instinctive McGinty save. Lopes was making a club record 48th European appearance and chasing the game, Stephen Bradley called on recent signing Connor Malley to make his continental bow as the away team sought extra thrust going forward. Only Honohan provided it – the goalkeeper palmed away his header from a Watts free-kick in injury time. Ballkani: Golubovic, Smalji, Batarelo (Jashanica, 39), Halili, Potuku (Letaj, 85); Deliu, Giovanni, Albert; Hamidi (Tolaj, 65), Adetunji, Kryeziu. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Grant, Healy, Watts, Nugent (Gaffney, 60), Honohan; Mandoiu, Gaffney (Malley, 60).
