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RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Bleak' - Alan Cawley runs the rule over Sligo Rovers' season so far
At the halfway stage of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, things are looking rather "bleak" for Sligo Rovers, according to RTÉ soccer analyst Alan Cawley. The table says as much with the Bit o' Red bottom of the table and facing a tough task to scrape survival once the campaign resumes after the mid-season break. The one saving grace for John Russell's outfit is that Cork City are only a point above them in the relegation play-off spot. But Cork, who played well on Friday on the way to taking a point against Shelbourne at Turners Cross, will be hoping that new manager Gerard Nash and his incoming assistant, former Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler, can give them a bounce. As for Sligo, while goalscoring hasn't been an issue, other positives have been thin on the ground and the type of summer surge that helped them finish mid-table last season isn't showing much sign of being on the horizon. And former Shelbourne league winner Cawley is not seeing too much ground for optimism as he told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast. "I think it's fairly bleak when you look at it in terms of the stats and the points, everything is pointing towards relegation sadly for them," said the Sligo native who also spoke earlier in the episode about the experience of attending Saturday's Champions League final in Munich. "They've been poor, very poor. I've seen them in a lot of games recently and they have been poor. "Now, in fairness to John Russell, he lost the goalkeeper (Ed) McGinty, he lost Ellis Chapman who went to Shelbourne, he lost (Niall) Morahan, the spine of the team really, and when you're losing players as good as that and then you're not replacing them, I think it's been very, very difficult for John in that regard." The one "shining light" according to Cawley is young striker Owen Elding who he and former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Richie Towell both picked as their Young Player of the Season so far. "He's been outstanding, seven goals. But if you're relying on a young fella to basically grab you by the scruff of the neck and get you back into games and win you points, I don't think that speaks well of some of the other lads maybe in the squad as well. So it's been really tough for John, it's been really poor overall," he said. At the halfway point of the season, Sligo are the only team to not pick up a win after falling behind, picking up just two points in that scenario and Cawley feels they often leave themselves with too much to do in games. "I think that's been one of the biggest problems in all the games, they don't give themselves a chance in games because they're falling behind through sloppy needless goals and there have been games where they've been two down in a lot of cases after only 15-20 minutes and then they show great heart and desire to chase the game and get themselves back but it all comes a little bit too late," he said. "They've conceded 34 goals as well. Defensively they've been very poor. They've won only one game at home all season and that's really, really poor because whatever about going on the road and trying to pick up points, you need to be trying to make your home place a bit of a fortress and tough to beat and a difficult place for people to go but if you've only won one game all season as well, I don't think that's great. "So it's pretty bleak at the moment it really is. There are allowances in terms of budgets maybe and what (Russell) has lost from last year and not being able to replace that, but still that's probably no consolation to John Russell. He'll still feel they should be higher up in the table. "But the only hope I see is that Cork are in touching distance, only a point ahead of them."
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Conor Keeley's late Drogheda equaliser denies Waterford victory
Conor Keeley rescued an unlikely share of the spoils for Drogheda United as Waterford FC's inability to defend set-pieces came back to haunt them deep into second-half injury-time in their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at the RSC. After Blues skipper Padraig Amond thought that he had won the game with an 81st-minute finish, the visitors had the final laugh in added time when the central defender hammered home from close-range when he was left unmarked at the back post to meet a Darragh Markey corner-kick. The Waterford front three combined for the breakthrough goal on 19 minutes. Conan Noonan slipped the ball into the feet of Amond, who in turn played the perfectly weighted pass for Tommy Lonergan, who beat keeper Luke Dennison with a deflected effort off Elicha Ahui from 14 yards. Drogheda were level from a set-piece at the other end four minutes later. Shane Farrell sent in a left-wing corner-kick into the centre of the penalty area and Warren Davis powered a simple close-range header to the far corner past a helpless Stephen McMullan. Davis was twice denied in a bid to give his side the lead on 40 minutes when Shane Farrell whipped in another dangerous left-wing corner that saw Keeley send the ball back into the six-yard box for the striker, but after Rowan McDonald blocked his initial effort, he hooked the rebound just over. John Coleman's side got their noses in front on 81 minutes when Grant Horton sent over a right-wing cross that saw Ahui clear to Dean McMenamy, who saw his goal-bound effort touched home by Amond past Dennison. The leveller came three minutes into added time from another set piece. Darragh Markey swung over a right-wing corner-kick to the back post, where the unchallenge Keeley blasted high to the roof of the net from close-range before Ahui was sent off late on for a second yellow card. Waterford FC: McMullan; Horton, McDonald, Leahy, Burke; Olayinka (McMenamy 77), Glenfield (McCormack 85), White; Lonergan (Pouwels 88), Amond, Noonan.
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Waterford FC express ‘disappointment' after hearing of alleged racial abuse of Shamrock Rovers teen Victor Ozhianvuna
WATERFORD FC have expressed their 'disappointment' after an alleged racist remark was aimed at 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers player Victor Ozhianvuna by a home supporter. It is claimed the comment was made before Friday's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at the RSC. Advertisement An investigation is underway after the visitors reported the incident to the match delegate, who will now send his report to the League of Ireland before any possible sanctions can be taken by the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit. It's understood that the alleged incident occurred while the substitute was warming up during the first half of the game with Ozhianvuna going on to take no part in a fixture that After the media were made aware of the allegations in the aftermath of the contest, Waterford FC released a statement saying that they are 'fully co-operating with authorities on the matter.' It read: 'Waterford Football Club are disappointed to be made aware of an allegation of racism towards a Shamrock Rovers player during our SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division game on Friday, May 16. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football 'We are a community-based football club that prides ourselves on our inclusion and are proud to welcome all to the RSC. 'The club takes all reports of discrimination incredibly seriously and is fully co-operating with the authorities on the matter. 'We stand side by side with the League of Ireland and our supporters in taking a zero-tolerance approach to tackling racism within the game. 'Waterford Football Club would encourage anyone who witnesses such behaviour to report in confidence via our direct number 051-271160 or via email to office@ Advertisement Most read in Football Bradley's outfit capitalised on two huge errors that gave the league leaders all three points. A brilliant Padraig Amond header had put the hosts in front inside ten minutes. Celtic ultras make their point on fan engagement as Hoops get trophy day guard of honour But they were the cause of their own downfall as they were undone by goals from Rory Gaffney, Michael Noonan, and Graham Burke – with the latter two goals coming from defensive errors. It was a header of quality that gave the hosts the lead on ten minutes. Advertisement Ryan Burke found space for himself out on the left before putting in a wonderful ball that saw Amond get in front of his marker to flick an unstoppable header to the roof of the net from 12 yards. Stephen McMullan denied the Hoops a certain equalising goal on 23 minutes when Josh Honohan played a super ball over the top that sent Aaron Greene clear straight on goal. 1 Victor Ozhianvuna was allegedly racially abused while warming up as a substitute But the netminder saved at the feet of the attacker as he tried to take the ball around him. Advertisement Rovers were celebrating a leveller just two minutes later. Adam Matthews played a long throw into the right-hand corner that saw Greene send in a first-time cross for Gaffney, and he applied a neat right-footed finish past the helpless McMullan. It took some more heroic goalkeeping from McMullan to deny the visitors the lead goal on 36 minutes when Jack Byrne swung over a right-wing cross that picked out the run of Josh Honohan. And after his header was superbly kept out, Gaffney struck the outside of the post with the rebound. Advertisement Rovers were gifted the lead on 76 minutes. Blues keeper Stephen McMullan, who was having a top display for the hosts up to that point, inexplicably played a clearance straight to Noonan. The teen had only been on the field for seven minutes, and with his first touch, he couldn't believe his luck as he guided the ball to an empty net from outside the penalty area. A third goal followed for the tabletoppers deep into second-half injury-time, largely thanks to Josh Honohan. Capping off a week where he was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad, he dispossessed Navajo Bakboord before releasing Graham Burke, who beat the offside trap before finishing past McMullan. Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Waterford FC taking allegation of racist remark "incredibly seriously"
Waterford FC are treating an allegation of racism towards a Shamrock Rovers player "incredibly seriously'. The clubs met in a Premier Division clash at the RSC on Friday night, with the Hoops coming from behind to win 3-1. But Shamrock Rovers reported that a Waterford fan made a racist comment at their teenage star Victor Ozhianvuna - who is lined with Arsenal - as he was warming up. The matter was referred to the authorities and the FAI are awaiting the match delegate's report before determining what the next steps will be. Waterford FC today issued a statement, confirming that they are taking the allegations seriously. 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. The Blues statement read: 'Waterford Football Club are disappointed to be made aware of an allegation of racism towards a Shamrock Rovers player during our SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division game on Friday 16th May. 'We are a community-based football club who pride ourselves on our inclusion and are proud to welcome all to the RSC. The club take all reports of discrimination incredibly seriously and are fully co-operating with the authorities on the matter.' Waterford's statement continued: 'We stand side by side with the League of Ireland and our supporters in taking a zero-tolerance approach to tackling racism within the game. 'Waterford Football Club would encourage anyone who witnesses such behaviour to report in confidence via our direct number 051-271160 or via email to office@ The FAI have also issued a statement on the matter. It read: "The League of Ireland can confirm that we have been made aware of an alleged incident of racist abuse towards a Shamrock Rovers player last night from a supporter in attendance at their fixture against Waterford in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division. "In accordance with FAI regulations on racism and discrimination, an investigation has been opened into the incident and we will work with both Clubs, An Garda Síochána and all relevant stakeholders throughout this process. "The FAI and the League of Ireland condemn any acts of discrimination or racism in our League and have a zero-tolerance policy when dealing with racism in our game towards players or staff, be it on a football pitch, at a stadium or online."
The 42
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Shamrock Rovers seize chance to claim win away to Waterford
Waterford FC 1 Shamrock Rovers 3 Adrian Flanagan reports from the RSC SHAMROCK ROVERS WERE handed three points on a plate by a battling Waterford FC side as Stephen Bradley's side capitalised on two huge errors that gave the league leaders all three points from this SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at the RSC. After a brilliant Padraig Amond header had put the hosts in front inside ten minutes, the home side were the cause of their own downfall as they were undone by goals from Rory Gaffney, Michael Noonan, and Graham Burke – the latter two goals were defensive errors It was a header of quality that gave the hosts the lead on ten minutes. Ryan Burke found space for himself out on the left before putting in a wonderful ball that saw Padraig Amond get in front of his marker to flick an unstoppable header to the roof of the net from 12 yards. Advertisement Waterford's Padraig Amond celebrates scoring a goal with teammates. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO Stephen McMullan denied the Hoops a certain equalising goal on 23 minutes when Josh Honohan played a super ball over the top that sent Aaron Greene clear straight on goal, but the netminder saved at the feet of the attacker as he tried to take the ball around him. Rovers were celebrating a leveller just two minutes later. Adam Matthews played a long throw into the right-hand corner that saw Greene send in a first-time cross for Rory Gaffney, and he applied a neat right-footed finish past the helpless McMullan. It took some more heroic goalkeeping from McMullan to deny the visitors the lead goal on 36 minutes when Jack Byrne swung over a right-wing cross that picked out the run of Josh Honohan, and after his header was superbly kept out, Rory Gaffney struck the outside of the post with the rebound. Rovers were gifted the lead on 76 minutes. Blues keeper Stephen McMullan, who was having a top display for the hosts up to his point, played a clearance straight to Michael Noonan, who was only on the field seven minutes, and with his first touch, he couldn't believe his luck as he guided the ball to an empty net from outside the penalty area. A third goal followed for the tabletoppers deep into second-half injury-time when Josh Honohan, on the week that he was called up to the Ireland senior squad, dispossessed Navajo Bakboord before releasing Graham Burke, who beat the offside trap, to finish past McMullan. Waterford FC: McMullan; Horton, Radkowski (Bakbooard 60), Leahy, Burke; Olayinka (Pouwels 90), McMenamy (McDonald 60), White, Glenfield; Lonergan, Amond. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Honohan, Grace, Lopes, Matthews; Nugent (J O'Sullivan 69), O'Neill (Healy 69), Byrne, C O'Sullivan; Greene (Barrett 87), Gaffney (Noonan 69). Referee: Aaron O'Dowd (Dublin). Attendance: 3321
