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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shelbourne complete deal for West Ham youngster Sean Moore
Shelbourne have signed Sean Moore from West Ham United on a "multi-year" contract, subject to international clearance. The highly-regarded 19-year-old arrives at Tolka Park following a spell in England with the Premier League club's Under-21 squad. Moore first broke onto the scene with Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership, his performances for the Reds in 2022/23 saw the teenager named in the NIFL Premiership Team of the Year and win the NI Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year award. Moore was a regular for West Ham's development side during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign and capped off an impressive year by making his Republic of Ireland U21 debut in a friendly against Sweden in November. He finished the season with five goals, making him the joint-third top scorer for the Hammers' U21s. Moore said: "I'm absolutely buzzing to be here. Shelbourne is a massive club and I'm delighted to get the deal done. I'm ready to get to work, hit the ground running, and show the fans what I'm all about." Shels boss Joey O'Brien believes Moore is an "exciting" addition: "Sean's a top young player with huge potential. He came into the game at a young age with Cliftonville and earned a great education over in England with West Ham. "Now he's ready to kick on with the next stage of his career, and we're delighted he's put his trust in us. He's an exciting player to watch, really positive in how he plays the game. He can play in multiple positions on both sides of the pitch, which gives us great flexibility."
The 42
6 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Shamrock Rovers ease to win in Gibraltar
St Joseph's 0 Shamrock Rovers 4 SHAMROCK ROVERS earned a 4-0 victory over St Joseph's in today's first leg of the Uefa Conference League second-round qualifier at Europa Point Stadium. The emphatic win all but ensures the Hoops will progress, with next week's return match looking like a formality. Rory Gaffney's early clinical finish put Stephen Bradley's side in the driving seat. The Irish side then blew away their rivals in an eight-minute second-half period, as goals from Danny Mandroiu, John McGovern, and Jack Byrne sealed the win. The Premier Division leaders survived a couple of scares, but the scoreline was ultimately a fair reflection of the gap in quality between the two teams. Rovers went into the game with fresh memories of a superb 2024-25 Conference League campaign, when they made it to the knockout phase before being beaten by Molde on penalties. St Joseph's, meanwhile, were perceived as the underdogs, but did secure an upset victory over NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville in the last round, prevailing 5-4 on aggregate after extra time. The winners of the tie will face either Malta's Floriana or Kosovo's Ballkani, with the latter holding a 4-2 advantage from Tuesday's home first leg. The hosts began brightly as Rovers were given an early warning. Álvaro Rey's free kick from the right was met by the head of Manuel Sánchez, but Ed McGinty got down well to make the save. Advertisement The Gibraltarians continued to look dangerous, as Pablo Rodríguez burst towards the goal but ballooned a shot well over. Yet Rovers grew into the game and took the lead in the 13th minute. Rory Gaffney latched on to a lofted through pass by Dylan Watts and finished with aplomb, chipping over the onrushing Bradley Banda and into the net. St Joseph's still carried a threat, though, and Facu Álvarez narrowly blasted a shot wide from the edge of the area after a well-worked set-piece routine. The home side were then nearly caught out down the other end. Watts' quick free kick found Graham Burke, whose first-time shot from a tight angle was parried away by Banda. As the half drew to a close, St Joseph's were enjoying plenty of possession and territory, but rarely tested McGinty, as the Hoops comfortably dealt with their attacks. A view of Rovers' fans at the match. Martin Seras Lima / INPHO Martin Seras Lima / INPHO / INPHO There was an early let-off for the League of Ireland outfit in the second half. Manolín got on the end of Ángel Martínez's corner, but the midfielder's powerful header was a few inches wide. Danny Mandroiu then went close. After receiving the ball on the edge of the area after a short corner, the ex-Lincoln City man guided an effort narrowly over the bar. After a relatively uneventful period, Rovers doubled their advantage with 23 minutes of normal time remaining. An initial effort from distance by Josh Honohan was saved. The rebound fell to Mandroiu, whose low shot found the back of the net via a wicked deflection. As the game entered its dying stages, Stephen Bradley introduced Michael Noonan and McGovern, and the pair made an instant impact. Noonan's cross from the left fell perfectly for the former Dungannon Swifts man, whose hooked first-time finish appeared to have all but ended the tie as a contest. Another substitute, Jack Byrne, then got in on the act. The midfielder collected a pass from McGovern on the edge of the area and curled an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net. Álvaro Rey's curled effort drifted over, and Manolín also headed just wide from a Juanma González corner as the hosts threatened a late consolation. But barring a disaster next week, the Hoops will need to come through just two more rounds to emulate last season's achievement of reaching the league phase. St Joseph's: 1. Bradley Banda 2. Ethan Jolley (Volz 29) 4. Javi Paul 5. Geovanni Barba 12. Ángel Martínez (Forján 58) 6. Manolín 22. Juanma González 23. Facu Álvarez 25. Adrián Armental (Gibson 58) 9. Pablo Rodríguez 10. Álvaro Rey (Amadou 86) Subs: 13. Marcos Zappacosta 3. Jayce Olivero 7. Javi Forján 11. Leon Volz 15. Ethan Santos 17. Mitchell Gibson 19. Juanfri 24. Hassane Amadou Shamrock Rovers: 1. Ed McGinty 2. Josh Honohan 4. Roberto Lopes 5. Lee Grace 6. Dan Cleary 21. Danny Grant (Nugent 80) 17. Matt Healy 7. Dylan Watts (McEneff 64) 14. Danny Mandroiu (McGovern 71) 10. Graham Burke (Byrne 64) 20. Rory Gaffney (Noonan 71) Subs: 25. Lee Steacy 8. Aaron McEneff 11. Sean Kavanagh 15. Darragh Nugent 16. Gary O'Neill 22. Cian Barrett 27. Cory O'Sullivan 29. Jack Byrne 31. Michael Noonan 36. Victor Ozhianvuna 88. John McGovern Referee: Matthew McDermid (Scotland)
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Conference League qualifiers: Shamrock Rovers outclass St Joseph's in Gibraltar
Conference League second round qualifiers, first leg: St Joseph's 0 Shamrock Rovers 4 (Gaffney 13, Mandroiu 67, McGovern 73, Byrne 75) Rory Gaffney, Danny Mandroiu, John McGovern and Jack Byrne all grabbed goals at Europa Point Stadium in Gibraltar as Shamrock Rovers began their Uefa Conference League campaign with a convincing second round qualifier first leg victory over St Joseph's. Looking to make a big splash in the competition after reaching last season's knockout rounds, Rovers came under some early pressure when a header by Manuel Sanchez, better known as Manolin, from an Alvaro Rey free-kick forced a save from goalkeeper Ed McGinty. Yet McGinty's opposite number Bradley Banda produced a point-blank stop to deny Gaffney from close-range on 12 minutes, before the Galway native found himself in space moments later and proceeded to lift the ball beyond the reach of the Joseph's netminder for the opening goal. This offered the Hoops a strong platform in warm conditions at a ground that serves as the home venue for Gibraltar's national rugby team. READ MORE Joseph's overcame NIFL Premiership outfit Cliftonville 5-4 on aggregate in the first round, but with their midfielder Facu Alvarez firing marginally off-target with a shot from distance, Rovers brought a slender advantage into the interval. Rory Gaffney scores Shamrock Rovers' first goal. Photograph: Martin Seras Lima/Inpho Although Joseph's were close to equalising five minutes after the restart when Javi Paul headed wide of the mark from an Angel Martinez corner, Rovers almost doubled their cushion when Mandroiu curled narrowly past the target at the opposite end. However, like Gaffney before him, Mandroiu eventually got his name on the scoresheet. After Josh Honohan's strike was turned away by Banda, the former Bohemians and Lincoln City star unleashed a follow-up effort that took a wicked deflection on its way into the net. This left the Hoops in a commanding position and despite the play briefly being halted for a second-half water break, Stephen Bradley 's men continued to turn on the style when the action resumed. Recent recruit McGovern (a Tailteann Cup winner with Down last year) was introduced inside the final quarter for his European debut, marking the occasion by almost immediately adding Rovers' third goal on 73 minutes. His fellow substitute Byrne also got in on the scoring act just two minutes later with a superb finish from outside the box, securing a four-goal lead for the Dubliner's ahead of the return leg in Tallaght next Thursday. ST JOSEPH'S: Banda; Jolley (Volz 29), Paul, Barba, Martinez (Javi Forjan 58); Manolin, Gonzalez Perez, Alvarez; Armental (Gibson 58), Rodriguez, Rey (Amadou 86). SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty; Grace Lopes, Cleary; Grant (Nugent 80), Mandroiu (McGovern 71), Healy, Watts (McEneff 64), Honohan; Burke (Byrne 64), Gaffney (Noonan 71). Referee: M MacDermid (Scotland).
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shels go north looking to close out Champions League tie
Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien takes his side to Linfield with a slender lead as they seek to progress to the second round of the Champions League qualifying stage. Mipo Odubeko's 58th-minute goal earned Shels a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Blues in their first leg of the first-round qualifier at Tolka Park a week ago. Shelbourne dominated the first leg in Dublin and had a penalty award overturned by VAR in the first half but Odubeko's goal aside, they were unable to make their possession count on the scoreboard. Linfield came away relatively satisfied with the result as the game was their first of the season, with the NIFL Premiership not getting underway until August and they'll believe that they can turn the tie around at Windsor Park. O'Brien meanwhile, made all the right noises about how hard his side worked and how they controlled the game but will know that they could have made the second leg a formality had Sean Boyd and Evan Caffrey shown more composure in front of goal. The new Shels boss will be hoping that his side don't come to regret those missed opportunities and with so much at stake, he'll be desperate to ensure that his side progress to the second qualifying round and with it the additional prize money €750,000. Azerbaijan champions Qarabag are waiting for the winners, along with an easier route to European group stage football, with the losers dropping into the Conference League qualifiers. O'Brien has a full-strength squad to choose from for the trip to Windsor Park as Sean Gannon comes back in, having been suspended for the first leg. Gannon brings a wealth of European experience, having gone deep in UEFA competitions Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. Harry Wood, who went off injured after turning in a man-of-the-match performance in the first leg, is also cleared to play. O'Brien believes that his side, having already got the better of Linfield, can go into the second leg full of confidence, knowing that they can get at the Belfast team. "We have a small advantage," he said. "The lads have seen them on the pitch - their speed, their movement, how good they are, so you have that feel of who you are up against now. "These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player. You've won the league and you want to be involved in the Champions League. "I said it to the lads, not many players get the chance to play in the Champions League qualifier and not many players get the chance to win a Champions League qualifier. "Ultimately it's about going through to the next round, that's what it's all about. In the background there's the whole financial side but as a player it's all about winning and getting through to the Champions League and the next few rounds in Europe." Linfield meanwhile, are able to welcome back an old European stager of their own as former Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields is back in contention, having missed the first game through suspension. Like Gannon, Shields has vast experience when it comes to two-legged European ties and he could offer Linfield an extra dimension in midfield, but manager David Healy is being coy as to whether or not he will start. "We underperformed with the ball last week," the Linfield boss said. "Our work ethic and organisation was there, but if we are better on the ball tomorrow night with the players that we have, Chris being back and involved – I've not decided if he is starting or not – we will be better. "I have no doubt we will be better in possession." Healy feels that his side can improve on their first-leg display and with the tie balanced so finely, has spent time on the training ground practicing penalties this week and analysing Shelbourne's history in shootouts. "There is huge belief that we can build on that performance," he said. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level, but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "If playing in a league game, on a Saturday, the boys will stay for four or five minutes after and take six or seven penalty kicks just to get their eye in, get in practice. "As a group we work on everything, we will have a look and know the goalkeeper and as a staff we're aware of previous penalty takers for Shelbourne.
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
David Healy backs Linfield to turn tie around against Shelbourne
Linfield manager David Healy believes that his side can find an extra gear to turn the tie around when they take on Shelbourne in Wednesday's second-leg of their Champions League first-round qualifier. Shelbourne take a narrow 1-0 lead going into the game at Windsor Park, thanks to Mipo Odubeko's 58th-minute goal at Tolka Park a week ago. Shels dominated possession in Dublin but were unable to put the tie beyond Linfield and the tie remains very much in the balance. With Shelbourne already midway through the League of Ireland Premier Division campaign and the NIFL Premiership not getting underway until August, Shels looked the sharper of the two side but Healy is hoping that home advantage can be a leveller this time around. "With the way the draw worked out, and the fitness levels Shels had, we had to give up something last week," Healy said. "We worked on that. We had to give up a little on the wide areas. There are things we can improve on, certainly in possession. We can't be sloppy in possession when we do have the ball. At times last week we did all the hard work off the ball, and when we got it, we gave it away cheapy and didn't create opportunities. "You can improve in a week. We'll probably change one or two things, the players will be aware of that. "All teams have strengths. Shels have good players and are neat and tidy on the ball. I don't think our strengths were shown last week on the ball. "Shelbourne will be excited by the playing surface. We didn't have enough possession last week to go and hurt Shels. Hopefully tomorrow, with the energy, another week's training, and strong support behind us, I can see a much-improved performance in us. "We have a strong record at Windsor Park and the players believe there is an opportunity." Healy can welcome back former Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields who missed the first game through suspension. Shields has a wealth of experience when it comes to European ties and he could offer Linfield an extra dimension in midfield, but Healy is being coy as to whether or not he will start. "We underperformed with the ball last week," the Linfield boss said. "Our work ethic and organisation was there, but if we are better on the ball tomorrow night with the players that we have, Chris being back and involved – I've not decided if he is starting or not – we will be better. "I have no doubt we will be better in possession. "A second goal for Shels would have made it really difficult, but with the performance levels, the attitude, and most importantly speaking to the players after the game, and over the last few days, there is huge belief that we can build on that performance. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level, but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "I have no doubt, if and when we do take the lead tomorrow night, the electricity and energy around this place becomes important as the players will be fuelled by the belief they can win the tie."
