Latest news with #Shels
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I'm getting married, so I'm up to my eyeballs' - Bohemians ace Rob Cornwall
Most League of Ireland players are hitting the beach this week but Rob Cornwall is working through a list of jobs the length of his arm. But the busy schedule is all for a good cause as the Bohemians centre-back is tying the knot with his fiancé Brittany on Saturday. The mid-season break divides opinion and Shelbourne boss Damien Duff has hit out at the 'amateurish' approach of affording players 'a week on the gargle'. Other managers feel a few days of rest and relaxation will do their players no harm at all - and welcome the chance to switch off. But Cornwall has more on his mind with the wedding looming in Co Meath this weekend and laughed: 'I'm up to my eyeballs, I don't want to go away! I just gambled(on the day to be honest. Gambled on a Saturday, hoping it wasn't Sligo away, so I was blessed. "It's a small enough wedding but the lads (Bohs team-mates) are all invited to the day two. Wardy (Keith Ward) is a groomsman. I wouldn't let him do a speech!.' 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. Bohs are doing their talking on the pitch at the moment, having put their early season struggles well and truly behind them. And as he prepares to get married, Cornwall admits it is peace of mind knowing that all is well on the pitch as well as off it. The Gypsies have surged up the table and moved joint second after Friday's controlled and deserved 1-0 win over Derry City at Dalymount Park. And Cornwall points to the come-from-behind derby win away to arch rivals Shamrock Rovers last month as the turning point in their season. 'The fans are kind of back on our side this year,' he said. 'You can feel everything's clicking. To do the Rovers game, to do the Pats game, everything starts to flow then. 'We're making Dalymount a bit of a fortress now, which is good. We didn't have that in the last couple of years and we were delighted to get the win on Friday. 'It was different to the Shels game, because when Shels got the two lads sent off, we didn't really take control, but I thought we managed the Derry game a lot better. 'We felt strong and I think performances have been getting better every week. We're getting momentum now, and that's the main thing.' Cornwall was also quick to pay tribute to Sean Grehan ahead of his return to Crystal Palace following the end of his successful loan spell. The 21-year-old left Bohs in 2023 to join the Premier League club and was loaned back this season where he enjoyed a hugely impressive run in the side. Cornwall, who returned to Bohs himself last year after time in America, was at the Gypsies during Grehan's first spell in the side. He said: 'He was only a young fella. Seanie's been excellent. He's only 21 and it's mad that he's done what he's done. He's going to be a big loss. 'I was only chatting to Wardy the other day about how he passes the ball. Some players just hit it differently and he and Danny Mandroiu can fire a ball. 'But we've Leigh Kavanagh there and he's probably going to be away as well in the next couple of years, and you have Alex Lacey coming back. So we have a strong defence.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'A week on the gargle' - Damien Duff slams mid-season break
Damien Duff let loose on his Shelbourne players with a half-time tirade during their 1-1 draw against Cork City. A fan video from outside the Turner's Cross changing rooms caught some of Duff's "ranting and raving" through an open window after a below-par first half. Post-match, the Shels supremo suggested his side "probably had one eye on Dublin Airport and not on the game" ahead of the mid-season break. Duff said of his half-time rant: "I haven't done that in a long time, and I wasn't planning it, but sometimes you are driven towards it. "You can talk tactics and subs, but sometimes when a manager vents, it's for themselves. That wasn't for myself. It was to get a reaction out of them. "Does it usually work? No. Did it work in the second half? We were better. Was it because of that? I don't know. "It could have been the subs. It could have been our application. "The first half wasn't a Shelbourne performance. It wasn't a performance befitting champions. "To win a league again and be up there or thereabouts again, you need a bigger edge. Everything has to be better than the year before, and it hasn't been. That's why we are where we are." Duff also admitted that he "fought tooth and nail" with some of his players over their holidays. When asked about the mid-season break, he replied: "I have never liked it. The flipside is it has come at a good time for us as it's a time for reflection, but I don't like it. "There's an air of the jolly boys out. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England. "People probably think I am unfair saying it. I think it's ingrained in the culture here. It's ingrained in my guys. I fought tooth and nail with my guys. I am not happy with some of my guys on it, but that's for another day. "But they have had a different football education to what I've had. I was taught differently, and that's why it doesn't sit right with me. "At the league's halfway mark, fifth-placed Shels remain nine points behind front-runners Shamrock Rovers. But Duff insists his side are not out of contention. "There's a long way to go. We are still alive and kicking. We still have a heartbeat, and I know it because they are great guys. "We have certainly dropped a lot of points along the way with basic individual errors when we have dominated games. Different story here. "I love challenges. It gets me excited. If it doesn't excite our players and the club, the second half of the season, be it the FAI Cup, Europe, or chasing Rovers down, then they are in the wrong place. "Nine points is a pretty big gap, but if you have a decent fortnight in the League of Ireland, you can claw it back. "I wouldn't say it's a big challenge. I have always embraced big challenges. Taking over Shelbourne Football Club was a hell of a big challenge. "There's an air of the jolly boys out. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England" "Cup final the first year, Europe the second year, won the league the third year. They are big challenges, but we overcome them, because that's what we do. "For the second time in the past month, Duff made a triple substitution at half-time, including the return of Paddy Barrett in defence. "It could have been more. Absolutely could have been more," said Duff. "We can't waste 45 minutes. We talk about not wasting a moment, an action, you can't waste a half of football. "It's a common theme here: if you waste a half, you are coming off. "They are not decisions which should make you nervous or afraid of giving the ball away. When lads come off lacking energy and spark, and there's a flatness about them, that's why. "Unbelievable quality all week, and then maybe they thought they could roll into Turner's Cross and turn Cork over. It doesn't happen like that in Turner's Cross. "Maybe they have stopped listening, I don't know. Sure, we got a reaction in the second half, and even in the first half, you can say we showed resilience getting in at 0-0 because the fire was coming."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shelbourne's title defence continues to stutter as Ali Coote saves draw against Cork City in Premier Division clash
SHELBOURNE'S title defence continues to flounder despite an Ali Coote moment of magic that grabbed a point against Cork City. The relegation-threatened Leesiders were dominant for long spells until Seáni Maguire found the net before the hour mark. 2 Seani Maguire put Cork City in frotn against Shelbourne Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 2 Damien Duff's team were saved by Ali Coote Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile But City have not beaten Shels since 2013 and have not kept a clean sheet all season — and those records remain after Coote's sublime finish in front of 2,821 fans at Turner's Cross. Shels move up a spot to fifth for the mid-season break. Ninth-placed City edge a point above bottom side Sligo Rovers after ending a run of four straight defeats. Ger Nash's programme notes declared the City hotseat as 'the biggest job in the League of Ireland' ahead of his first home game in charge. The 38-year-old welcomed back Maguire for his first start in almost three months, while despite experienced pair Seán Gannon and Paddy Barrett becoming available, Read More on League of Ireland Nash was up and down the steps of the Derrynane Road Stand as he watched his team control the opening half. Cathal O'Sullivan and Milan Mbeng showed their trickery by nutmegging defenders, while Evan McLaughlin ran the show in midfield alongside Seán Murray. Maguire had an early penalty appeal fall on deaf ears and Freddie Anderson headed a couple of corners towards goal. But his best attempt saw Josh Fitzpatrick get in the way of the ball. In the 27th minute, Fitzpatrick battled to tee up McLaughlin for a dipping long-range strike that clipped the crossbar on its way over. Most read in Football Then, a rehearsed free-kick routine from McLaughlin saw Charlie Lyons denied at the front post by stand-in keeper Lorcan Healy. Maguire had one shot blocked by Kameron Ledwidge before stabbing at another effort. Cork City fans watch League of Ireland clash against Dundalk in cinema Play was delayed due to a drone hovering over Turner's Cross before Shels' only chance of the half arrived. John Martin's hard work set up John O'Sullivan but Lyons headed his shot away to safety . It was Shels' sole shot against City's 11 in the first half. Duff showed his displeasure with three half-time substitutions. Barrett and James Norris were called upon to bolster their defence. Mipo Odubeko came on to partner Martin up front. Odubeko soon got off a couple of scruffy shots. But City had their deserved goal in the 57th minute. Fitzpatrick won the ball from a loose Odubeko touch. Mbeng then went on a charge down the right and stood up a brilliant cross for Maguire to rise above Mark Coyle to head home. A third goal of the season for the ex-Ireland international. Odubeko could not find the target with a free header but Shels were level by the 71st minute. Coyle and Odubeko were involved but the goal was all about Coote. The substitute turned into space on the edge of the box before drilling a perfect low finish into the net via the far post. And Coote could have doubled his account within a minute but for a brave Lyons block. But the hosts had a big opportunity to win it on 90 minutes when Rio Shipston's fierce shot was palmed away by Healy. SUN STAR MAN Evan McLaughlin (Cork). CORK CITY : Troost 6; Mbeng 8, Anderson 6, Lyons 7, Crowley 6; O'Sullivan 7 (Nolan 89, 6), S Murray 7 (Shipston 73, 6), McLaughlin 8, Fitzpatrick 7 (Dijksteel 73, 6); Maguire 7 (Bolger 66, 6), Daniels 7. SHELBOURNE : Healy 7; Coyle 6, Ledwidge 7, Wilson 6 (Barrett 46, 6); O'Sullivan 6 (Norris 46, 6), Lunney 6, McInroy 7, Caffrey 6; Chapman 6 (Coote 65, 7), Wood 5 (Odubeko 46, 6); Martin 6 (Kelly 82, 6). REFEREE : M Lynch (Galway) 6.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ali Coote magic resuces point for Shelbourne on Leeside
Shelbourne's title defence continues to flounder despite an Ali Coote moment of magic to grab a point against Cork City. The relegation-threatened Leesiders were dominant for long spells until Seani Maguire found the net before the hour mark. But City haven't beaten their Dublin rivals since 2013, and haven't kept a clean sheet all season. Those records remained after Coote's sublime finish in front of 2,821 fans at Turner's Cross. Shels move up a spot to fifth for the mid-season break. Ninth-placed City edge a point above bottom side Sligo Rovers. Ger Nash's programme notes declared the City hotseat as "the biggest job in the League of Ireland" ahead of his first home game in charge. The 38-year-old welcomed back Maguire for his first start in almost three months. Despite Seán Gannon and Paddy Barrett's returns, Damien Duff opted for an unchanged starting XI. Nash was up and down the steps of the Derrynane Road Stand as he watched his team control the opening half. Cathal O'Sullivan and Milan Mbeng showed their trickery by nutmegging defenders. Evan McLaughlin ran the show in midfield alongside Seán Murray. Maguire had an early penalty appeal fall on deaf ears. Freddie Anderson headed a couple of corners towards goal. However, his best attempt saw Josh Fitzpatrick get in the way of the ball. In the 27th minute, Fitzpatrick battled to tee up McLaughlin for a dipping long-range strike. Shels were breathing a hefty sigh of relief as it clipped the crossbar on its way over. Then, a rehearsed free-kick routine from McLaughlin saw Charlie Lyons denied at the front post by stand-in keeper Lorcan Healy. Maguire had one shot blocked by Kameron Ledwidge before stabbing at another effort, which he should've taken on his left. Play was delayed due to a drone hovering over Turner's Cross before Shels' best chance of the half arrived. John Martin's hard work set up John O'Sullivan, but Lyons headed his shot away to safety. It was Shels' only shot against City's 11 in the first half. Duff showed his displeasure with three half-time substitutions. Barrett and James Norris were called upon to bolster their defence. Mipo Odubeko came on to partner Martin up front with Tyreke Wilson, John O'Sullivan and Harry Wood all making way. The changes gave Shels a foothold as Odubeko got off a couple of scruffy shots. But City had their deserved goal in the 57th minute. Fitzpatrick won the ball from a loose Odubeko touch. Mbeng went on a charge down the right and stood up a brilliant cross for Maguire to rise above Mark Coyle to head home. A third goal of the season for the ex-Ireland international. Odubeko couldn't find the target with a free header, but Shels were level by the 71st minute. Odubeko and Coyle were involved, but the goal was all about Coote. The substitute turned into space on the edge of the box before drilling a perfect low finish into the net via the far post. Coote could've doubled his account within a minute, but for a brave Lyons block. Chances were few and far between for a finish. But the hosts had a cracking opportunity on 90 minutes when Rio Shipston's fierce shot was palmed away by Healy. Cork City: Tein Troost; Milan Mbeng, Freddie Anderson, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley; Cathal O'Sullivan (Alex Nolan 89), Seán Murray (Rio Shipston 73), Evan McLaughlin, Josh Fitzpatrick (Malik Dijksteel 73); Seani Maguire (Greg Bolger 66), Djenairo Daniels. Shelbourne: Lorcan Healy; Mark Coyle, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson (Paddy Barrett 46); John O'Sullivan (James Norris 46), JJ Lunney, Kerr McInroy, Evan Caffrey; Ellis Chapman (Ali Coote 65), Harry Wood (Mipo Odubeko 46); John Martin (Daniel Kelly 82).
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stuart Byrne: Duff pictures were not mortifying for the league, and here's why
When it comes to social media, I live in a cave but make no apologies for it. I don't need nonsense in my Monday, I stepped out of my dark hollow to watch the Shels v Drogheda game, and noticed how everyone was talking about 'the Damien Duff picture'. The pic was from Friday night and I was only hearing about it on Monday, so that says more about me than anything but, again, no with the pundits discussing it, I guessed it had gone viral so I took out my phone to google it. They were brilliant pictures to be also sparked the usual stuff you hear about facilities not being up to scratch and how mortifying it looks for the league. Duff said as much himself. He was embarrassed - not of how he looked, standing on the grassy knoll, but for how it portrayed the league. He later said that football figures around the world were texting him about it, none of this is new news. Certainly not for anyone who has attended League of Ireland games in the last 20 years. The desperate state of our grounds is not the story. Results are not even the story a lot of the time. It's people who make headlines and, in this case, Duff. 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. As time passes, that picture will be laced with nostalgia. It may even be iconic. He feels it's a terrible reflection on the league, but it's not, and I see a positive stadiums have been crumbling for two decades, and longer in some cases. We moan about them, but there's never any movement for change. People running Irish football present us with facilities plans and presentations and they talk a good game, but it's all hearsay and rumours. Poxy stadiums themselves won't cause uproar and demonstration. People do that. I'm always amazed at the lack of public protest over the dire housing crisis in this country. And yet thousands of people will join anti-immigration marches, protesting about people coming to Ireland who need our help? That seems to get people off their arses pretty f****** quickly, even though immigrants actually need compassion, support and shelter. I'd hazard a guess that there's football fans - League of Ireland supporters - joining in those marches. Would they not be better rallying behind a better ideal than that shallow, hollow cause they think they're fighting?But I guess the League of Ireland has always been a fractured community. I stand to be corrected but apart from the Deportivo game, I don't recall fans coming together in unison to better the game is falling down and while the redevelopment has been delayed a little, the money is there to see it through. But not enough pressure is being put on the Government to get the wider football projects completed on is the people's game and it's where we should be focusing our efforts, rather than complaining about the optics of one man on the hill in a dilapidated ground. It's low hanging fruit and a tired, old argument because nobody disputes that the grounds are kips. Change the narrative, think bigger and actually do something about the slow progress that Government and bureaucracy itself is showing Irish in perspectiveI felt too much was being made of St Pat's ahead of the season. They won their last nine league games in 2024 and it was certainly an impressive surge up the table. But there was no pressure on them and they were flying under the radar. Suddenly they were being talked up as title contenders going into this year and I just felt it was had a roller-coaster week, snatching an injury-time win from the jaws of defeat against Cork City before getting smashed 4-0 by Shamrock Rovers three days later. But take the Cork game last Friday. 1-0 up and then 2-1 down with a minute to play, the crowd were turning. They were on Stephen Kenny's case midway through the half, when the team looked flat and having played for Pat's, you hear every word coming from the such a tight pitch, there's no hiding place when your supporters want to dish it out but they got behind their team when they mounted the late, late comeback. But the feel good vibes evaporated in Tallaght on Monday and I think St Pat's are at a experiencing what Bohemians were going through earlier in the season. And you could say Shelbourne are too. St Pat's are in a position now where people expect them to challenge for the title and that means having to win every not easy and you don't develop habits like that overnight. You're talking about young men dealing with something they're not used to and that's pressure. We're seeing that play out at the moment and while I do think St Pat's will recover, inconsistency will bring them down if they don't snap out of it on the rise?I've no idea how Gerard Nash will do as Cork City boss. Anyone who says they do, is talking through their while I knew nothing about him a week ago, I like that they've gone for someone young (38).Cork City is a hell of a job to get - a one-club city, a cracking pitch and a proper ground. Someone has to get it right as the Rebels are a sleeping giant. But that's also the new manager's biggest problem. Cork people are a fiery bunch and they're a bit fond of themselves. Nash will have to get it right pretty quickly and he'll soon realise playing career at Ipswich was cut short after cruciate injuries and he had to retire early, and went straight into coaching. As a Stella Maris man, I won't hold it against him that he played for Belvedere but I wish him well and hopefully Cork have unearthed a it awayYou know me. When I'm irritated by today's societal norms, I tend to keep it to myself because I'm not the pass-remarkable type. But I'm also a liar ….. so anyway, back to my expanding book of pet hates and this week it's a two for one bonus.I was walking around town the other day, on my lunch break, enjoying the glorious weather and people with the throngs of office folk who swan around in gangs with their work lanyards around their necks? They may as well be carrying a flag saying 'I work for (insert company name here).' Put it in your pocket like a normal people who wear sunglasses to work. You're up at 6am and that's your priority? Silicon Valley wannabees.
