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RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
LOI preview: Cork at low ebb as Hoops keep motoring
Unreliability has been a fabric within this year's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division but perhaps two of the more predictable sides will clash at Tallaght Stadium tonight. At points this season nearly all of the chasing pack to Shamrock Rovers have put together a period of form to indicate they could be challengers, or at least move into the European positions. The bottom two sides are the exception and undoubtedly the team sitting in the automatic relegation position have found it hardest in most recent times. Cork City have recorded just two wins in 19 matches and last week's loss to Bohemians was a real low point in their year. They make the journey to south Dublin tonight as huge outsiders against a team that are looking like coasting to the title. With no clean sheet all season, City have been consistent in letting goals in. The positive is they've scored in 16 of their 19 games so the problem is quite evident. How they attempt to solve it will ultimately decide their campaign and games such as this one may not prove decisive. The manner in which they succumbed to Bohs would have had alarm bells ringing for the Rebel Army watching on. Anything they can take from Tallaght would be a massive bonus. The Hoops are in juggernaut mode at the most crucial time of the season. With the games coming thick and fast, they have gone 10 without losing ahead of a double-round of matches over three days. Their lead is nine points and Monday's derby with Bohemians could really turn the title race into a procession. For now, Stephen Bradley wants his side to improve on a 1-1 draw against City in Turner's Cross. "I'm nearly sure I played against Ger (Nash) back in the day with Ipswich v Arsenal. I did a few courses with Ger also, he's a very good coach and I'm sure he'll do good things with Cork. You can see little things he's trying to change already, it won't happen overnight, but I'm sure he'll be very good there. I had a few conversations with Ger on those courses, he knows his football and he's clever, so I think he'll be very good at Cork. "When you have Sean Maguire, Djenairo Daniels and Cathal O'Sullivan, their attacking threat with those three is as good as any in the country. Seán Maguire's movement is very similar to Padraig Amond, very good and very clever, O'Sullivan is a very good young player and Daniels causes real problems so they must be respected and Cork as a team must be also." Adam Matthews is the only other absentee for the home side. Bohemians are the next in line to challenge the Hoops, with a match in Waterford their latest challenge. The Blues were on a winning run of four matches but have hit a minor slump, including a loss in Sligo last week where they struggled to create chances despite dominating the ball. Alan Reynolds is visiting his hometown club, with eight wins out of 10 games a remarkable turnaround in their season. One of those two loss came against this weekend's opposition where it was Waterford hanging on for victory. Reynolds feels he knows what to expect at the RSC: "Waterford are a good side. They had a great record against us last season and they've beaten us already in Dalymount this season, so it's another game where I think we're going into it with something to prove. "That means we need everyone to be at their very best once more if we want to keep the run we've been on going. "But as I said last week, we have a really determined group of players who keep pushing each other week in week out to get even better. "They've had the dark days at the start of the season and they've had the good days on the run we've been on over the past two months, and they are desperate to do everything they can to keep it going and to build on it." St Patrick's Athletic are at something of a crossroads in their season. With the European campaign to come, which has given them hope of putting a run together, their league hopes have taken a battering. Stephen Kenny is trying to inspire a performance ahead of a visit to Galway United. He said: "We've got to rally around, everyone, the players, the staff, and the supporters to get behind each other and the team. It will be difficult game in Galway, we've got to go down there and try to get a big result. We are capable of getting two results on Friday and Monday and we've got to aspire to do that. "Now is the time for us to show our strength in adversity. When I was Under-21 manager of St Pat's many many years ago in my first ever coaching job, the slogan around the club crest at the time was Ni Neart Go Cur Le Cheile, meaning "There's No Strength Without Unity" and that is still synonymous with the club now and that's an important thing for us to remember." Damien Duff and Tiernan Lynch have lots in common as Shelbourne host Derry City in Tolka Park. Both managers have used the quote "it is us against the world" in their media work in the last four days. Siege mentalities are one thing, but points on the board have proved elusive for both sides in recent matches. Shels received a massive lift by defeating Pat's last Monday, with Duff feeling it can be a springboard to move back towards the top four. He said: "We spoke about that break being a bit of a reset and a chance to draw a line under what's come before. Granted, it started with a poor result against Shamrock Rovers, but the lads are in a good place mentally. "There's brilliant togetherness in the dressing room, as you'd expect, and more importantly, there's belief. How can you not be excited with the games we have coming up?" Duff was referencing the Champions League clash with Linfield in July in that thought. Europe is the last thing Drogheda United want to hear about as Sligo Rovers visit Sullivan and Lambe Park. As the European draws took place this week, hearts broke in Louth after seeing dreams dashed. The late defeat to Aaron Greene's goal for the league leaders on Monday only added to their woes. Sligo visit Drogheda tonight looking to stay off the bottom of the table. Manager John Russell has brought in Seb Quirk from Accrington Stanley this week and more new arrivals are expected. The Rovers boss is hoping to build on their victory over Waterford: "There's a long way to go this season and we made sure the players' feet were kept on the ground this week. This is going to be a really tough game for us as Drogheda is a really tough place to go. "They create a brilliant atmosphere up there and you need big players and big voices to get through that. On the back of last week's win, we're really looking forward to this one."
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shamrock Rovers already have one hand on title
While the League of Ireland season is only just past halfway, Richie Towell reckons the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title race is already showing signs of being done and dusted. His former club Shamrock Rovers earned back-to-back wins over reigning champions Shelbourne and Drogheda United over the past few days and sit nine points clear of bitter rivals Bohemians, who albeit do have two games in hand. Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, ex-Dundalk and Hoops midfielder Towell said Rovers are showing real signs of building up a head of steam while most of their erstwhile rivals are struggling to find momentum. "I think at the moment they're in cruise control. They're absolutely cruising it," he said. "To be honest, I said it a couple of weeks ago that they were my favourites to win it. But I think they have one hand on it already. "And not just based on how good they are. I don't think any other team is good enough to catch them. "You have Bohemians who are the closest to them and they have a couple of games in hand. Maybe they can put up a small bit of a title challenge. "But for the rest of them, you see Shels, you see Pat's, I don't think any of them have the quality or the confidence to go on a proper run and try and challenge Shamrock Rovers. "You see the depth in the squad. I even know some lads can't get into the squad that would walk into probably any other team in the league which is absolutely crazy, so Shamrock Rovers are in absolute cruise control at the moment." The mood within Stephen Bradley's squad may be positive but that's a contrast to Drogheda United. Although that is in no way related to on-pitch matters, with Kevin Doherty's team putting up a good fight on Monday night on the way to losing 2-1 at Sullivan and Lambe Park and currently sit in the top half of the table. It's more related to the blow of being excluded from the UEFA Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules, with the verdict in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport being announced hours before kick off on Monday. Both Towell and ex-Drogheda and Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy sympathised with Doherty and his players on the podcast, with Towell highlighting how dreams of a European dalliance were dashed for personnel who might not be guaranteed to get that opportunity again. "This is some boys' livelihoods. There's potential earnings there for lads in European games that they would never get the opportunity to earn playing in the League of Ireland. That's after being taken away from them," he said. "Subconsciously, (players) are going to be thinking when the draw is made today, when the games are on in July, 'we should be out there', and all of a sudden they've no (European) games. "They have two decisions to make now, Drogheda's players do. They either say 'it's going to hinder our performance and let it get our heads down', or else they can say, 'Let's use this to our advantage. We're going to be fresh, we're not going to have any games, let's rest, recuperate and be ready to attack the league.'"
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Bad night all round for Drogheda Utd
SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division – Drogheda Utd 1 Shamrock Rovers 2 There have been some dark days in the history of Drogheda United and Monday will certainly be up there. Kevin Doherty cut a lonely figure on the pitch around 6pm on Monday evening as he was clearly contemplating the ramifications of the decision which had been handed out by CAS 90 minutes previous.
The 42
7 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Run from halfway and finish from Meekison has Bohs sitting pretty in second
Cork City 0 Bohemians 2 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division BOHEMIAN'S CHARGE UP the Premier Division table continued by cruising to a comfortable victory away to Cork City. First-half goals from Archie Meekison and Dayle Rooney saw the Gypsies move above Drogheda United into second. They remain six points adrift of Shamrock Rovers. Dunfermline United manager Neil Lennon and Chesterfield chief Paul Cook watched on among the 3,215 crowd at Turner's Cross. The home supporters weren't happy as they greeted the full-time whistle with a chorus of boos. The hosts looked like they were still on a mid-season break as their winless run extended to eight games. They remain one point above bottom side Sligo Rovers, who have a game in hand. Ger Nash broke new ground as, for the first time this season, City named an unchanged side. There were changes on the bench, though. After 17 years in England, David Meyler had his homecoming as Nash's new assistant manager. Meanwhile, club stalwart Mark McNulty slotted in as goalkeeping coach. Alan Reynolds opted for one change as Leigh Kavanagh replaced Rob Cornwall in defence. Advertisement The Bohs boss felt his side had, 'something to prove against Cork,' after their late defeat at the Cross in February. They accomplished that mission by stretching their good form to eight wins in 10 games. Departing Crystal Palace loanee Seán Grehan and Kavanagh were dominant at the back. Kavanagh's diagonal ball created the first chance for Meekison. The Scottish winger had all the time in the world to pick his spot, but fluffed his shot off target. When the chance came again, he showed bundles more composure. The opportunity arrived in the 11th minute from Rooney's long clearance. Darragh Crowley's heavy touch presented Meekison with a clear run from halfway. He went around Tein Troost twice on his mazy run before rolling home his first goal of the season. With City's hopes of a first clean sheet of 2025 extinguished, the one-way traffic continued. Kavanagh's outside-of-the-boot flick from a corner forced Troost into an acrobatic save. Then, Rooney's wonderful chip floated just wide. City only had one shot in the first half. They should have scored it, too. Josh Fitzpatrick's cross found its way to Cathal O'Sullivan, but the Premier League-linked teenager headed wide. Bohs carved City open twice down the left in the closing stages. From the first of those, Adam McDonnell's shot was blocked away by Freddie Anderson as Bohs protested for handball. They made the next one count. McDonnell turned Anderson, Ross Tierney's shot ran across goal, and Rooney was left with the simplest of tap-ins for his third goal in four games. It could've been three before the break, but McDonnell curled around the post. Troost produced another super save on the resumption. Rooney gave the return ball to Tierney, who looked certain to score, until the keeper reached back across to save. Tierney had another chance moments later, which Anderson slid across to block. City had a couple of penalty appeals waved away. Seani Maguire tumbled over in the box, but Paul Norton gave the free-kick to Kavanagh. Then, Jordan Flores came through the back of O'Sullivan and was lucky to escape without any punishment. Half-time substitute Kitt Nelson and O'Sullivan flashed shots over the bar as City tried to build momentum. Maguire had the next opening, but Flores deflected his shot behind. City produced precious little in the final 20 minutes as Dawson Devoy came closest to adding a third, denied by Troost. Cork City: Tein Troost; Milan Mbeng, Freddie Anderson, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley (Kitt Nelson 46); Cathal O'Sullivan, Seán Murray (Greg Bolger 53), Evan McLaughlin (Rio Shipston 71), Josh Fitzpatrick; Seani Maguire (Malik Dijksteel 75), Djenairo Daniels. Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Seán Grehan, Leigh Kavanagh (Rob Cornwall 80), Jordan Flores; Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 73); Dayle Rooney, Ross Tierney (James McManus 80), Archie Meekison (Rhys Brennan 73); James Clarke (Colm Whelan 73). Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin).
The 42
7 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Kevin Holt equaliser rescues point for stuttering City as winless run stretches
Derry City 1 Galway United 1 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division KEVIN Holt's fortuitous equaliser clinched a point for Derry City against Galway as the Brandywell club's winless run stretched to four games. For the second game in succession Derry fell behind to an early penalty as David Hurley fired Galway in front from the spot on 10 minutes. Galway's lead lasted just eight minutes as Scottish defender Holt charged down Greg Cunnigham's clearance and the ball found the back of the net for his second of the season. The Candystripes did have plenty of chances to put the game beyond reach for the visitors at the end of the first half with Gavin Whyte and Danny Mullen missing glorious opportunities. There was little urgency or creativity from either side in a lacklustre second half and it proved a repeat of Galway's last visit to Foyleside, ending in a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Derry trailing leaders Shamrock Rovers by 11 points and desperate to find form ahead of a double-header in Dublin against Shelbourne and St Pat's. Sadou Diallo made his first appearance on the bench since returning from a broken arm sustained at the Sligo Showgrounds back in early March. Ronan Boyce made his first start since May 9th. Ben Doherty (thigh) and Cameron Dummigan (hamstring) missed out as Tiernan Lynch made two changes from the team which lost 1-0 against Bohemians prior to the break. Derry registered the first shot on target in the second minute but Duffy's 30 yard free-kick failed to trouble Evan Watts who saved comfortably. Two minutes later Galway should've done better when from Ed McCarthy's long throw-in, Hickey flicked it on and Dyer somehow fired over from six yards under pressure. At the other end Sam Todd crossed low across the face of goal and neither Duffy at the near post nor Gavin Whyte at the back could get a touch with the goal at their mercy. For the second match in succession Derry found themselves behind to an early penalty as referee Declan Toland penalised Kevin Holt for holding Dyer inside the six yard box. Advertisement David Hurley stepped up to take the spotkick and sent Brian Maher the wrong way to put the visitors in front with just 10 minutes gone. Derry fortuitously found themselves back on level terms on 18 minutes when Whyte's cross was hooked clear by Cunningham but bounced off the chest of Holt and into the net. Kevin Holt congratulated for his equaliser. Lorcan Doherty / INPHO Lorcan Doherty / INPHO / INPHO The Candystripes were warming to the occasion and Duffy came close to finding the far corner with a curling strike from the edge of the penalty area but it sailed narrowly wide on the half hour mark. Galway almost capitalised from a lovely move on the right flank when Jeannot Esua crossed first time into a crowded penalty area where Hickey out-jumped Hayden Cann but sent his glancing header agonisingly wide of the post. Danny Mullen fired over the crossbar from a promising Derry attack as the game began to open up less than 10 minutes before the break. Mullen really should've put the home side in front on 38 minutes Todd sent Duffy through with a neat first-time pass but when the winger over-ran the ball inside the box, Mullen took it off his feet and fired high over the bar with his left footed strike from 10 yards. It was a real let-off for the Tribesmen and Derry players will have been scratching their heads wondering how they weren't out of sight at the interval. Neither side could create anything of note for the opening 20 minutes of a stuttering second half. Tiernan Lynch went to his bench in an attempt to galvanise his team with Liam Boyce, Paul McMullan and Diallo – making his first appearance in 13 games – entering the fray. From a corner kick deep into stoppage time Connolly won the ball and found Cann who turned and shot high and wide which summed up the second half display. Derry City: Maher; Cann, Connolly, Holt; R. Boyce (Diallo 76), Winchester, O'Reilly, Whyte (McMullan 64), Todd; Duffy (Thomas 85), Mullen (L. Boyce 76). Galway United: Watts; Essua, Buckley, Byrne, Slevin, Cunningham (Brouder 46), Hurley (46), Hickey, Borden (McCormack 56), McCarthy (Walsh 85); Dyer (Shaw 88), Referee: Declan Toland.
