Latest news with #JasonKnight
Irish Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kevin Kilbane: Weak in midfield and toothless up front, Ireland now left clinging to blind hope
I'm back in Ireland this week. Out west in Galway and Mayo . There is no better way to judge the mood of our nation towards the men's football team than over a few pints in Westport. The same question is continually asked: how do we beat Hungary in September's World Cup qualifier? Gone are the days when bigger football countries feared a manic night at Lansdowne Road. There is still no sign of an Irish midfielder who can take possession, pass it forward and put the opposition under pressure. READ MORE After an impressive season for Bristol City, Jason Knight was invited to nail down the position against Senegal and Luxembourg. A relentless athlete without the ball, he's no number six. John Patrick, Killian Phillips and Will Smallbone were also given chances to impress at training and in the games, but the rested Josh Cullen remains the only midfielder Ireland can truly rely on. We know Cullen is a good player without being a visionary passer. Nobody is coming to save this Ireland team. We have what we have heading into the 2026 World Cup campaign. Chiedozie Ogbene has been missed since his achilles tendon tear. It's not just his pace. Ogbene keeps the crowd and his teammates engaged by chasing lost causes and somehow winning the ball back. Kasey McAteer did well in Ogbene's role down the right during the draws against Senegal and Luxembourg. I actually thought the performance against Senegal last week was all right. However, every person I have encountered this week, for the inevitable football chats before the Luxembourg game, could not see any positives through all the negatives. Nil-nil in Luxembourg damaged Irish football's reputation. Ninety minutes from a flight to somewhere sunny and stress-free, the players were unable to produce a performance. This happens in June. Take Nathan Collins. After playing every minute for Brentford in the Premier League last season, the captain admitted to being physically and mentally spent. [ No shortage of effort, but Ireland fail to find the net against Luxembourg Opens in new window ] At least Heimir Hallgrímsson told Tony O'Donoghue on RTÉ that the performance was nowhere near the standard required. He even said the first-half 'boring'. Previous managers have done themselves no favours by clinging to vague positives when the truth is obvious to see. Call it what it was and move on. The players have already forgotten, I guarantee you that. So, how do we beat Hungary on September 6th? Honestly, I have no idea. The glass is half empty at the moment. Under Stephen Kenny, when it really mattered, Ireland produced one brilliant performance at home to France , only to lose 1-0 in that opening Euro 2024 qualifier. Collins's late header drew a phenomenal save from Mike Maignan. Séamus Coleman marked Kylian Mbappé into obscurity in a leader's performance that showed how much Kenny missed his injury-cursed right-back. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan saves from Nathan Collins in 2023, during one of Ireland's best performances in recent years. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Knight was an all-action, defensive cog that evening. That's what he does. The other time Ireland under Kenny were faced with a nowhere-to-hide situation, against Greece in Athens two years ago, the selection of Smallbone and Adam Idah backfired as the 2-1 loss made it clear that Kenny's days in the job were numbered. What really concerns me is Evan Ferguson's performance against Luxembourg. Let's not panic. He's still only 20. The West Ham loan did not work out. Brighton appear to have moved past him as well. But the version of Ferguson, at 18 and 19 years old, who briefly lit up the Premier League, has gone missing in the past 18 months. The physicality is not there. We know about the injuries. We don't know how much they have stunted his progress. We do know that he is no longer backing into top defenders and looking likely to score. Maybe Ferguson needs to look at Troy Parrott's career path. When life at Tottenham Hotspur did not pan out, Parrott moved to the Eredivisie in Holland, where he has accumulated 37 goals in two seasons. Troy Parrott's career has been rejuvenated by his move to the Eredivisie. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho It was suggested in January that a club like Bayer Leverkusen might get Ferguson's career back on track. Unless Adam Idah hits the ground running at Celtic in August, Parrott deserves to start against Hungary, ideally with Sammie Szmodics, Finn Azaz and Ogbene backing him up. We have what we have. Add Robbie Brady's left foot to the equation and the blind hope starts to rise again. We're going to need big performances right across the team and a rub of the green come September. Speaking of blind hope, Mayo to beat Donegal in the Hyde on Sunday.
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Heimir Hallgrímsson unlikely to spring a surprise against Luxembourg
Friendly international: Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland, Stade de Luxembourg, Tuesday, 7.45pm – Live on RTÉ 2 Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson invited the travelling media to watch the Monday morning session at Stade de Luxembourg, where the bones of a potential line-up played the rest of his 24-man panel. Bosun Lawal and John Joe Patrick Finn anchored midfield for the orange bibs but neither is expected to win a first cap against the Grand Duchy, certainly not from the start. The other nine on show, however, could feature when Hungary come to Dublin for the crucial opening World Cup qualifier on September 6th. Brentford's new goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher is a certainty, although Bristol City's Max O'Leary might make his debut as a half-time substitute against Luxembourg on Tuesday night. READ MORE The back four that started Friday's 1-1 draw with Senegal – Matt Doherty, skipper Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea and Robbie Brady – is expected to see one change, with Liam Scales replacing O'Shea. The Celtic defender lost his place after being sent off against England in November 2024. Everton's Jake O'Brien remains an option at both right back and centre half. Patrick Finn (21), who was born and raised in Spain and whose father is from Mayo, has some developing to do at French club Reims before Hallgrímsson will cap him. Arguably, 22-year-old Lawal has a higher ceiling. Regardless, Jason Knight and the newly capped Killian Phillips are set to feature in central midfield, with Philips expected to make way for Josh Cullen come September. Ireland's Kasey McAteer in action against Senegal last Friday. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INpho Kasey McAteer's goalscoring performance against Senegal should keep him attacking off the right, a position that the injured Chiedozie Ogbene and the available Festy Ebosele are also pushing to fill. On the left, Robbie Brady remains vital to the cause, taking most of the frees-kicks and switching from fullback to winger when Ireland have possession. Under Hallgrímsson, the formation appears set as 4-4-1-1 in defence and 3-4-2-1 in attack. The Icelander's preferred system suggests another run for Will Smallbone and Evan Ferguson, playing in behind Troy Parrott, who has recovered from a bug, with Adam Idah returning to the bench. Finn Azaz's creativity in the March victories over Bulgaria suggests his inclusion against Hungary. Azaz, like Cullen, has been given a break this summer. 'Everything we are doing is preparation for [the qualifiers], that is going to come around quickly,' said Hallgrímsson. The debate about whether to play two attacking midfielders behind Ferguson or Idah, or reward Parrott's best ever club season after he scored 20 goals for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, will run beyond September. Hallgrímsson has expressed concerns about the level of opposition Scales and Idah face in the Scottish Premiership, mainly because Celtic dominate possession in most games, although he commended Idah's 'defensive' work against Senegal. 'They are different kinds of strikers, good hold-up players, good link-in players, going in behind, it depends on what game we are going to play,' he said. 'The strikers will probably fit the game but it's really good to have healthy competition up front. 'That's one of the reasons we did this camp, and left out some key players [Cullen and Azaz], to have new faces, to give them a chance to show what they can do and to increase the depth in the squad.' Ireland's Bosun Lawal during Monday's squad session. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho In a rare turn of events, an injury update from the Ireland camp could impact Friday's Dublin derby between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park. Concerns over Rovers defender Josh Honohan and Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor prompted Hallgrímsson to add Lawal to the squad for Tuesday's friendly. 'We were lucky that [Lawal] was in Dublin when we had these two injury scares and the next morning he was [at training in Abbotstown]. That shows his dedication, just to say 'yes' and come.' Honohan needed a scan over the weekend before declaring himself fit for training on Monday. There is added value to this fixture, coming four days after the Senegal game in Dublin, as the schedule is similar to Ireland's quick turnaround after the Hungary match, when they'll travel to Yerevan to face Armenia on September 9th. And remember, under Stephen Kenny in June 2022, Ireland lost a Nations League tie in Armenia. 'Luxembourg have had the same coach [Luc Holtz] for a long time, really consistent in team selection, so it's more like playing a club team,' Hallgrímsson added. 'I wouldn't look at it as a shock to the nation if we would not get a good result here. It's that good a team that a win here would be really good for us at this stage. I hope nobody is taking them lightly.' Holtz is dealing with a sustained controversy around the continued selection of striker Gerson Rodrigues, who is serving an 18-month suspended sentence for domestic violence. The Luxembourg manager previously stumbled into a war of words with Kenny – after the 3-0 Ireland win in 2021 – when he repeatedly described the Irish style as 'British'. IRELAND (v Luxembourg, possible): Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales; McAteer, Knight, Phillips, Brady; Smallbone, Ferguson; Parrott.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
R.I. House approves assault-style weapons ban, sending high-profile legislation to the Senate
Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, defends his bill to ban assault-style weapons during debate on the House floor on June 5, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Thursday approved much-anticipated legislation banning the sale and manufacturing of a range of semiautomatic weapons in Rhode Island starting in July 2026. The 43-28 vote came after nearly five hours of debate and nine failed attempts by House Republicans to change the bill sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat. All 10 Republicans voted against the bill, along with 17 Democrats and the chamber's lone independent. 'We have an obligation to protect the community we live in,' Knight said on the House floor. 'Mass shootings are a real problem — it could happen here and we have a chance to minimize the chances.' Twenty-three state representatives voted against the assault-style weapons ban bill. Opponents included all 10 chamber Republicans: House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, Richard Fascia, Marie Hopkins, George Nardone, Brian Newberry, Christopher Paplauskas, David Place, Robert Quattrocchi, Sherry Roberts and Paul Santucci Another 17 Democrats also opposed the ban: Samuel Azzinaro, Jacquelyn Baginski, David Bennett, Stephen Casey, Gregory Costantino, Megan Cotter, Deborah Fellela, Brian Kennedy, Charlene Lima, Thomas Noret, William O'Brien, Ramon Perez, Robert Phillips, Earl Read, Patricia Serpa, and Joseph Solomon. Also opposed was Rep. Jon Brien, the only independent. In introducing Knight's legislation to the floor, House Judiciary Chairman Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat, said the legislation is justified if just one life is saved by banning assault-style weapons. 'One of the things I learned as a prosecutor many years ago was there's no undoing someone being dead,' Craven said. 'There's no retreat from that — dead is dead.' But opponents argued the bill's language is too broad and would not reduce gun violence. Many said it would criminalize responsible gun owners. 'This piece of legislation's true goal, as evidenced by its language, is clouded at best and disingenuous at worst,' said Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat. The legislation, which was already revised before advancing out of committee earlier this week, would prohibit the sale and manufacturing of assault-style shotguns, handguns, and rifles beginning July 1, 2026. Weapons are defined as any semiautomatic firearm that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one attachment such as stocks, pistol grips, and barrel shrouds. Certain .22 caliber rimfire rifles and Olympic-style target pistols would still be allowed. Assault-style firearms purchased before July 2026 would also be exempt from the legislation, along with weapons passed down through family. Violators of the proposed ban would face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 and forfeiting their assault-style weapons. Gun owners could voluntarily register their weapons with police to receive a certificate of possession — a provision that has drawn the ire of opponents. 'If you are found to be in possession of one of these firearms and do not have this voluntary certificate you are handcuffed, you are printed, you are booked, you are arraigned, you go to pre-trial, you go to a trial,' said House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican. 'After maybe two years you can provide proof you owned the firearm before July 1, 2026.' Chippendale also argued that the bill's language is unclear on where gun owners could use their grandfathered weapons, saying that it would bar hunting. Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, said weapons subject to the proposed ban are not meant for hunting. 'If you need an AK-47 to hunt ducks, maybe you should take up bowling,' he said. House Republicans introduced nine floor amendments to address their issues with Knight's bill, but each were rejected. Democratic Reps. Mia Ackerman of Cumberland, John Edwards of Tiverton, Raymond Hull of Providence, and Alex Marszalkowski of Cumberland were not present for the vote. Rep. Kathleen Fogarty, a South Kingstown Democrat, voted by proxy in favor of the bill. The policy now rests with the Senate for consideration. Companion legislation introduced by Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, has 23 additional sponsors, including Senate President Valarie Lawson. DiPalma's bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 14, where it remains under review. Three Democrats who serve on the committee voiced opposition to the proposal during the initial hearing on DiPalma's bill. Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat and federal firearms dealer, has also said he does not support banning assault-style weapons as drafted. Knight's changes have not swayed his stance, Ciccone said in an interview Thursday. Lawson remains committed to seeing the proposal hit the Senate floor, chamber spokesperson Greg Paré said in an email. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Norwich have done to us what we did to Oxford'
We asked you for your views on Liam Manning leaving his role as Bristol City's head coach to join Championship rivals Norwich you for all your replies and here is a selection of the thoughts of Robins - Disappointed to lose him and felt we were starting to build something. Hope the likes of Jason Knight and Mark Sykes don't follow him out the - Good luck to him but not sad to see him go. His football was pretty stale - sideways and backwards. In the second leg of the play-offs at 3-0 down you would think he would put three up front and have a go! Rob Edwards to come in for - I think it's a mix of emotions for everyone involved. Last season was a complete rollercoaster, both on and off the field. I would've liked to see Manning have another season at it. However, I respect his decision and that of his family, and I'd like to thank him for all his hard work. He definitely brought belief and excitement back into the - Can't complain as Norwich have done to us what we did to Oxford! Wish Liam all the best, especially after all he has been through this - The fact we've had our manager taken by a team that finished seven places below us is awful. The fact the Norwich board have managed to convince LM that he'll be better backed than he will be at City is disgraceful on our for Lansdown to either put his hand in his pocket and really build around Jason Knight and the new manager or sell the - Personally, I've not got a problem with his departure as the hierarchy can't see his potential. They should have given him the financial backing needed to push on from a pretty good gave the club what they asked for but has been let down by them. Next up? For me it has to be Gary O' - Can't blame him for leaving when you have an owner who won't give him a budget to move the team forward. He performed a miracle to get us into the play-offs. Norwich will back Manning and have a stronger squad and Manning knows that.
Irish Examiner
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's Jason Knight 'relaxed' about prospect of Premier League football
Jason Knight has already been on holiday. The midfielder will squeeze in another once this week's international window closes and yet football could well force itself back into the conversation again before the English club season returns. Still only 24, the Dubliner played 150 times for Derby County before moving to Bristol City two years ago. Already captain at Ashton Gate, he could hardly have done more during a season just gone that produced 51 appearances, three goals, as many assists and ten yellow cards. Named player of the year by his club, his teammates and by the supporters, he opted for humility when describing the campaign merely as a 'progression', but Ireland assistant John O'Shea got it right when suggesting that other clubs must be taking notice. The man himself is playing it cool. 'I've had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol, but you are right: I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division, but I'm relaxed. If it's now or in the future, that will be. I've just got to keep performing well to get to that point.' One of the few Championship players in the Ireland squad this week due to Heimir Hallgrimsson's decision to rest players subject to that league's heavy workload, Knight has already played 279 games of senior football between the club and international games. It's nearly six years since his first run with Derby. John Egan spoke on the 'Second Captains' podcast recently about his regret at having played through the pain barrier to the extent he did, and of the consequences arising from that. Knight played in every game for his club last season, from mid-August through to mid-May. This is the job. It does beg the question as to how much football is too much football in an era where more and more is being asked of professional players. And there may be no league more brutal in its incessant demands than the twice-a-week every week second tier in England. Knocks and niggles are par for the course in that sort of environment but if there is a line that shouldn't be crossed when it comes to playing through injury then what might Knight's be? 'If the leg isn't off, I suppose.' A vocal presence on the field and in the dressing-room, he was one among that batch of youngsters promoted to senior international football in one go, or close enough, by Stephen Kenny and he has long since gone about stepping up to a type of leadership role with Ireland. Hallgrimsson has already spoken about the benefit that he can reap from this wholesale injection of youth, and Knight agrees that there is a sense of training wheels having been relegated to the shed ahead of a new World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn. 'There's probably eight, nine, ten of us that have come in at the same time and now we have 20-plus caps [each] so that is only going to be the to the benefit of the team and the country. The performances have to back that up as well, and the results. 'That's what we are going to have to try and do coming in to September.'
