The scoring was opened in the 15th minute when Kevin Kilbane headed in from a Liam Laurence corner; this was followed up by a stunning 35yard pile driver by Kevin Doyle. But then disaster stuck when Sean St Ledger was out of place Cristian Martínez scored just before the half to leave it 2-1 to Ireland at the break.

The second half started slowly with Andorra keeping plenty of men behind the ball, but after missing a few chances in his last few outings for the Republic Robbie Keane got his name on the score sheet in the 54th minute.

Kevin Doyle was bought down in the box for what looked a clear penalty in the 67th minute; this was followed by a lot of poor play from Ireland who looked happy enough to see out the rest of the match. Darren Gibson and Stephen Kelly were bought on but neither made any impact against the dreadful Andorra team.

Kevin Doyle was given the man of the match

Click to read the live match tracker

Republic of Ireland		Andorra
1	Shay Given (GK)	1	José Antonio Gómes(GK)
2	Sean St Ledger	3	Marc Bernaus
3	Kevin Kilbane	5	Fernando Silva
4	John O’Shea	6	Ildefons Lima (C)
5	Richard Dunne	7	Marc Pujol
6	Glenn Whelan	8	Marcio Vieira
7	Liam Lawrence	9	Sebastiàn Gómez
8	Paul Green	11	Sergio Moreno
9	Kevin Doyle	16	Cristian Martínez
10	Robbie Keane (C)	18	Josep Ayala
11	Aiden McGeady	19	Jordi Escura
Substitutes
16	Keiren Westwood (GK)	13	Ferran Pol (GK)
12	Keith Fahey	2	Jordi Rubio
13	Stephen Kelly	4	Óscar Sonejee
14	Darron Gibson	10	Manolo Jiménez
15	Greg Cunningham	12	Xavi Andorrá
17	Andrew Keogh	15	Daniel Mejías
18	Shane Long	17	Ivan Lorenzo

Boxing will begin Thursday with preliminary round bouts.

Ceire Smith, Katie Taylor, Allana Murphy and Sinead Kavanagh will represent Ireland at the blue ribband tournament of international female boxing.

Taylor, from the Bray BC, will be targeting her third AIBA World title on the trot in Barbados.

Speaking from Bridgetown, IABA Director of Boxing Dominic O’Rourke said that the Irish squad are relaxed and focused and looking forward to getting proceedings underway.

“The squad are relaxed and in great spirits. There are no injury problems and the girls are looking forward to the start of the tournament on Thursday, said O’Rourke.

“It will be a very competitive World Championships for the Irish squad out here, but they’ve prepared very well for these Championships and they’re eager to get in the ring.”

Meantime, the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Championships will act as the only qualifier for female boxers for the London Olympics.

Please see below attachment (below squad) for 6th AIBA Women’s World Championships schedule.

Irish squad 6th AIBA World Women’s Championships Barbados September 6th/19th

Team Manager: Stephen Connolly

Director of Boxing: Dominic O’Rourke

Coaches: Peter Taylor & Zuar Antia

R&J: Fionna Hennigan

51Kg: Ceire Smith (Cavan BC)

60Kg: Katie Taylor (Bray BC)

64Kg: Allana Murphy (Eastside, Belfast)

75Kg: Sinead Kavanagh (Drimnagh)

http://www.iaba.ie

PREVIEW
After their perfect start to the season a jubilant Connacht prepare for their first away game this season with a few injury concerns. The west of Ireland team travel to park y Scarlets without Ezra Taylor who is awaiting the results of a scan while Niva Ta’auso hurt his hamstring in training this morning and is looking a doubt. Andrew Brown is not up to speed yet as regards his injury.

The Welsh team will be eagar to correct their form from last weeks 34-28 defeat to new comers Benetton Treviso and Connacht will be looking to keep the momentum up by securing their first away win of the season. This sets the tone for a thrilling encounter in valleys.

“You would have to expect a backlash with the record we have had over there. They would fancy themselves to come away with 5 points. That’s great for them, but at Connacht we are looking to improve on our away form. We’ve set ourselves a target for this week and that’s the way we’re going to approach it. They will be looking to put things right and we’re looking to put our away form right. That is the challenge we are expecting to face but we are ready.” Said Elwood

“The fact that they lost last week might mean that they will bring back some of their heavy artillery, Davies, Jones, Lyons. We can only play against the team that is out there. ”

Squad to follow.

The excitement and anticipation is over, The U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin announced his four wildcard picks live from New York City at 3:30 p.m – Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink , Zach Johnson & Rickie Fowler

2010 U.S. RYDER CUP TEAM
Captain
Corey Pavin

Team Member
Phil Mickelson
Hunter Mahan
Bubba Watson
Jim Furyk
Steve Stricker
Dustin Johnson
Jeff Overton
Matt Kuchar
Captain’s Pick – Tiger Woods
Captain’s Pick – Stewart Cink
Captain’s Pick – Zach Johnson
Captain’s Pick – Rickie Fowler

Live Match Tracker
Full Time

93min Kevin Doyle is given the Man of the Match
90min Three minutes extra time to be played
87min The crowd begin to leave the stadium
85min Kevin Kilbane hits a header over the cross bar when he really should of scored
83min Kevin Doyle comes off to standing ovation and Andy Keogh gets to play the last seven minutes
82min Two or three Irish players could of scored but none of them could get the ball on target
80min Good attempt on goal from Kevin Doyle after a Liam Laurence shot from which he should of done better.
78min Good Play from McGeady but the Andorra got to his coss first to knock it out for a corner
75min Stephen Kelly comes in for John O’Shea
74min Its been a very poor second half with Andorra looking like one of the worst teams that might ever play in the Aviva stadium
71min Andorra making a few changes
67min Kevin Doyle is brought down in the box for a clear penalty but its waved play on by the ref
64min Good cross from Laurence but its knocked out for a corner, But nothing comes of it
62min Yellow card foe Richard Dunne
60min Darren Gibson comes on for Glen Whelan
59min Good chance for Robbie Keane but well saved by the keeper
57min The third goal should left the Iish manager bring on a few players from the Bench
54min Goal for Robbie Keane
51min Anbdorra are playing all eleven men behind the ball
48min Small chance for McGedy but the keeper beat him to the ball
46min Good cross Laurence into Doyle but his header is cleared away
46min 19:49 Second half kicks off no changes on either side
Half Time
44min Cristian Martínez hits one from 30yards into the top corner , Shay Given had no chance
44min Laurence tries one from where Doyle scored but it flys over the bar
42min Nice shot from Paul Green, but it goes over the crossbar
40min Stunning goal by Kevin Doyle from 35yards out
39min More poor play from Paul Green in midfield, he has no chance of lasting more than seventy minutes
38min Great play by Kilbane and McGeady on the wing but its knocked out for a throw
35min Free from Laurence on the edge of the box is easy defended
33min Another great cross from McGeady but no one can get on the end of it
32min Crazy decision by the ref to award free out for Robbie Keane supposedly pushing
30min Great play by Aiden McGeady who gets a cross in , But Liam Laurence can only find the side netting
27min Free by Kevin Doyle when it looked the other way round
24min Robbie Keane caught offside when he looked to be in on goal
21min Paul Green loses the ball twice in midfield and does not look up to international football even playing against the minnows of Andorra
17min Shot from 40yards is fumbled by Shay Given out for a corner but its easily defended
16min Chance for Kevin Doyle but he was knocked off the ball , Looked like a penalty
15min Kevin Kilbane scores from a corner
13min Nice cross from Kevin Kilbane but its headed away by the Andorra defense
12min Robbie Keane complaining to Kevin Kilbane for not noticing one of his runs
11min Nice run and shot from Aiden McGeady but it goes wide of the far post
9min Robbie Keane looks for a penalty but its waved away by the referee
7min Robbie Keane gets a weak shot in on the Andorra goal and its easily saved by José Antonio Gómes
6min Looked like a Corner for Andorra but linesman gives a kickout to Shay Given
5min Poor play by Kevin Doyle who hits it out for a throw to Andorra
2min Nothing comes of the free kick, Andorra defense clear it out to the middle of the field
1min Early chance for Ireland with Robbie Keane getting a cross in but fouled by Bernaus (Andorra) , Laurence takes the free
0min 19:47 Game Kicks Off , Fantastic atmosphere around the stadium
0min Team’s out on the pitch waiting for the national anthems, We will be hoping for at least a 3-0 win tonight
0min A surprise result in Moscow with Slovakia beating Russia , Which makes Slovakia firm favorites with Ireland to top the group.

Republic of Ireland		Andorra
1	Shay Given (GK)	1	José Antonio Gómes(GK)
2	Sean St Ledger	3	Marc Bernaus
3	Kevin Kilbane	5	Fernando Silva
4	John O’Shea	6	Ildefons Lima (C)
5	Richard Dunne	7	Marc Pujol
6	Glenn Whelan	8	Marcio Vieira
7	Liam Lawrence	9	Sebastiàn Gómez
8	Paul Green	11	Sergio Moreno
9	Kevin Doyle	16	Cristian Martínez
10	Robbie Keane (C)	18	Josep Ayala
11	Aiden McGeady	19	Jordi Escura
Substitutes
16	Keiren Westwood (GK)	13	Ferran Pol (GK)
12	Keith Fahey	2	Jordi Rubio
13	Stephen Kelly	4	Óscar Sonejee
14	Darron Gibson	10	Manolo Jiménez
15	Greg Cunningham	12	Xavi Andorrá
17	Andrew Keogh	15	Daniel Mejías
18	Shane Long	17	Ivan Lorenzo

COMPREHENSIVE WIN EXPECTED IN THE AVIVA

Republic of Ireland are 1/33 for maximum points the prohibitive odds have lead punters to look for value elsewhere and the correct score market has been busier than usual with Ireland having been matched at 11-2 to win 2-0, and 5-1 to win 3-0.

Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said today: ’’Historically Ireland underperform when burdened with the favourites moniker, so at 1/33 they may struggle to win as impressively as their odds would suggest, but our customers seem confident that they will score at least twice, and not concede any’’.

Ireland V Andorra Betfair Bet: 1-33 Ireland, 129-1 Andorra, 29-1 The Draw

See Correct Score Market Here

Match background

• The Republic of Ireland’s record in two games against Andorra reads W2 D0 L0 (W1 D0 L0 at home).

• Both previous meetings came in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with Ireland winning the first meeting 3-0 in Barcelona on 28 March 2001. Ian Harte, Kevin Kilbane and Matt Holland found the net for the visitors.

• Andorra caused a surprise in the return fixture at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on 25 April the same year when Ildefons Lima opened the scoring on 31 minutes. Kilbane responded just two minutes later, though, before Mark Kinsella (36) and Gary Breen (73) completed a 3-1 victory.

• Ireland went on to take second place in qualifying Group 2 and qualified for the finals after beating Iran 3-0 on aggregate in a play-off. Andorra finished bottom of the section with ten defeats from ten games.

Qualifying round – 07/09/2010 – 16:00(19:00 local time) – Lokomotiv Stadion – Moscow
Russia 0 – 1  Slovakia
(S) Stoch 27′
Full Time

Live Commentary
92 Hološko (Slovakia) gets his shot blocked when he should of scored
91 Pavlyuchenko (Russia) misses the target with a weak shot
90 Four minutes extra time
86 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save and Shirokov misses the target from the rebound
81 Bilyaletdinov comes in for Russia – Ignashevich is off
83 Its all Russia who are looking for an equalizer
81 Shocking cross from Arshavin (Russia) is easily cleared
77 Zabavník (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Arshavin (Russia) who might of got a shot on goal if he had controlled the ball better
74 Arshavin (Russia) has a shot on goal but its blocked by the Slovakian defense .
74 Russia well on top and look more like scoring
72 Ignashevich (Russia) has a very poor shot on Goal and misses the target.
72 Ignashevich (Russia) takes the free-kick but nothing comes form it.
71 Pavlyuchenko (in) – Pogrebnyak (out) (Russia)
69 Bystrov (Russia) has a shot blocked.
68 Dzagoev (Russia) has a shot blocked.
68 Arshavin (Russia) takes the corner.
66 Hološko (Slovakia) is flagged for offside.
66 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save.
66 Bystrov (Russia) has an effort on goal.
64 Štrba (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Arshavin (Russia).
63 Stoch (Slovakia) takes the corner.
62 Akinfeev (Russia) makes a save.
62 Hološko (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
61 Bystrov (in) – Semshov (out) (Russia)
58 Jendrišek (in) – Kucka (out) (Slovakia)
57 Hubočan (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Dzagoev (Russia).
57 Arshavin (Russia) misses the target.
57 Zhirkov (Russia) misses the target.
51 Zhirkov (Russia) misses the target.
50 Hološko (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging V. Berezutski (Russia).
50 Zyryanov (Russia) is flagged for offside.
49 Arshavin (Russia) is flagged for offside.
48 Stoch (Slovakia) takes the corner.
48 Akinfeev (Russia) makes a save.
48 Stoch (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
The second half begins.
The referee blows for half-time.
45+1 Škrtel (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Pogrebnyak (Russia).
45+1 Semshov (Russia) has a shot blocked.
45+1 Hamšík (Slovakia) is flagged for offside.
44 Pogrebnyak (Russia) misses the target.
44 Kucka (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Pogrebnyak (Russia).
43 Zyryanov (Russia) commits a foul after challenging Karhan (Slovakia).
40 Semshov (Russia) commits a foul after challenging Štrba (Slovakia).
38 Arshavin (Russia) takes the corner.
38 Arshavin (Russia) takes the free-kick.
38 Kucka (Slovakia) is shown a yellow card.
38 Kucka (Slovakia) fouls.
37 Arshavin (Russia) takes the free-kick.
37 Karhan (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Arshavin (Russia).
36 Hološko (Slovakia) is flagged for offside.
33 Škrtel (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Pogrebnyak (Russia).
33 Stoch (Slovakia) takes the free-kick.
33 Zhirkov (Russia) is cautioned by the referee.
33 Zhirkov (Russia) commits a foul after challenging Kucka (Slovakia).
31 Dzagoev (Russia) has a shot blocked.
30 Shirokov (Russia) has a shot blocked.
29 Hološko (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Ignashevich (Russia).
29 Zyryanov (Russia) commits a foul after challenging Zabavník (Slovakia).
27 Stoch (Slovakia) scores!
26 Semshov (Russia) misses the target.
24 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save.
24 Dzagoev (Russia) has an effort on goal.
24 Arshavin (Russia) takes the corner.
24 Arshavin (Russia) takes the corner.
21 Zyryanov (Russia) commits a foul after challenging Zabavník (Slovakia).
21 Saláta (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Pogrebnyak (Russia).
20 Zyryanov (Russia) fouls.
17 Shirokov (Russia) misses the target.
17 Kucka (Slovakia) misses the target.
15 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save.
15 Dzagoev (Russia) has an effort on goal.
13 Arshavin (Russia) delivers the corner.
12 Arshavin (Russia) delivers the corner.
11 Hološko (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on V. Berezutski (Russia).
10 Arshavin (Russia) takes the free-kick.
10 Štrba (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Arshavin (Russia).
8 Stoch (Slovakia) misses the target.
8 Stoch (Slovakia) takes the free-kick.
7 Shirokov (Russia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Kucka (Slovakia).
7 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save.
7 Shirokov (Russia) has an effort on goal.
4 Arshavin (Russia) delivers the corner.
4 Arshavin (Russia) delivers the corner.
3 Mucha (Slovakia) makes a save.
3 Semshov (Russia) has an effort on goal.
2 Štrba (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Semshov (Russia).
1 Zhirkov (Russia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hološko (Slovakia).
1 Hamšík (Slovakia) fouls.
The match is under way.
Russia and Slovakia began their Group B campaigns with victories on Friday, the former winning 2-0 in Andorra and Vladimír Weiss’s Slovakia narrowly defeating the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at home.

Turkey 1

Republic of Ireland 0

A battling performance by a youthful Ireland Under-21 team ended in cruel defeat in Izmit as hosts Turkey netted a late goal to claim the win.

Ireland took the game to their opponents and their play deserved at least a draw. However, as has been a feature of this campaign, the result was not to match the performance for the Under-21s.

Injuries and suspensions had caused havoc in the Ireland camp in the days leading-up to the match, with eleven players having been forced to withdraw from the squad. Temporary manager Wim Koevermans named four changes to the starting XI which faced Switzerland, with Brendan Moloney, Seamus Conneely, Graham Carey and Adam Rooney all handed starting positions.

Having lost a full team worth of players already, Ireland’s remarkable injury jinx continued during the course of this game, with Robbie Brady forced off after half an hour and Rob Kiernan lasting less than an hour before having to depart the pitch.

Indeed, such was the youthful nature of Ireland’s team that five of the starting XI, as well as five of the six substitutes, are still eligible to represent their country at Under-19 level.

The game began in a lively tempo but a crowded midfield area ensured that neither team could gain a foothold in the match. Ireland pressed their opponents, forcing several corner kicks but rarely threatening Turkish goalkeeper Karabulut during the opening exchanges.

The first real sight of goal came after 23 minutes and it was Turkey who threatened. Full-back Cek played a one-two with Kose and found himself in the Irish penalty area. However, his shot was well saved by the on-rushing Stephen Henderson.

Ireland carved out three half-chances during the closing minutes of the half. First, Graham Carey drilled a free kick across the face of goal but there was no Irish foot close enough to make contact.

On 43 minutes substitute Daniel Kearns crossed from the right but Adam Rooney’s glancing header went wide. Two minutes later, Seamus Coleman, captaining the team on what will be his final appearance for his country at Under-21 level, crossed to Graham Carey at the back post but the Dublin-born winger could not direct the ball on target.

Carey again drilled the ball across goal on 60 minutes but his cross, which came after great work by Kearns and Coleman down the right, was cut out by Basdas before it could reach its target.

Hourihane came within inches of breaking the deadlock just moments later when effort from the edge of the box cracked off the post before going wide.

Ireland were gaining an edge in an increasingly open game and the very next attack saw the visitors again come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. The impressive Kearns crossed from the right but the ‘keeper got down well to push Rooney’s shot wide of the post.

Kearns was again provider on 75 minutes when his ball found Hourihane on the edge of the box but the midfielder’s shot dragged just wide of the post.

Despite their pressure, Ireland were to fall behind just three minutes later. After some neat play on the right wing, the ball found its way to Kose 12 yards out, who placed his shot beyond the out-stretched arm of Henderson.

Captain Coleman almost snatched a draw in the dying moments but his header from a corner kick was cleared amongst a sea of bodies in the Turkey penalty area.

Turkey: Ozan Karabulut, Serkan Kurtulus (Mahmut Boz, 70 mins.), Ozgur Cek, Serdar Kesimal, Mahmut Tekdemir, Baris Basdas, Necip Uysal, Burak Kaplan (Serdar Gurler, 63 mins.), Tevfik Jose – Capt., Emre Colak (Tolgay Ali Arslan, h/t), Sahin Aygunes

Substitutes not used: Ertac Ozbir, Serdar Eylik, Hasan Ali Kaldirim, Burak Calik

Republic of Ireland: Stephen Henderson, Seamus Coleman – Capt. – Brendan Moloney, Robert Kiernan (Shane McEleney, 55 mins), Seamus Conneely, Richie Towell, Conor Hourihane, Conor Clifford (Joe Mason, 75 mins.), Adam Rooney, Robbie Brady (Daniel Kearns, 35 mins), Graham Carey

Substitutes not used: Shane Redmond, Karl Sheppard, Paddy Madden

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin today named his squad ahead of Ulster’s visit to Aironi in Round 2 of the Magners League this weekend.

When asked what Ulster were expecting, Coach Brian McLaughlin commented;

“This is Aironi’s first home game in the Magners League. They will be very agressive and physical, they played exceptionally well against Munster last weekend.”

“They have a good pack that is very well directed by Mercier. They have signed very well, key for them is Bortolami in the lineout.”

The Ulster Squad named for the match does not include Rory Best or Stephen Ferris. Rory picked up some soft tissue irritation to his neck in Ulster’s match last Friday against the Ospreys but is rested along with Stephen as part of the IRFU’s player management programme. South African BJ Botha returned to Belfast following the Tri Nations campaign earlier this week, he will commence training again with the squad tomorrow and consequently was not considered for selection.

Jamie Smith is included having recovered from an eye injury sustained in the friendly against Bath while backrow Chris Henry, who toured with Ireland this summer is also included for the first time.

Following Friday’s opener against the Ospreys, McLaughlin is keen for his side to follow that performance up;

“We had a great performance on Friday against the Ospreys, lots of pride and passion but we have to build on that and go to Italy to get something”

The Ulster starting XV and replacements will be named on Friday.

ULSTER SQUAD

Forwards
Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson, Robbie Diack, Pedrie Wannenburg

Backs
Adam D’Arcy, David McIlwaine, Nevin Spence, Tommy Seymour, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall, Jamie Smith

Paul O’Connell watched the sessions from the sidleines in his tracksuit but Jerry Flannery, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi and Barry Murphy were all togged out althiugh working with fitness staff apart from the squad session itself.
Flannery’s calf injury has been rsolved but a subsequent hamstring injury has him sidelined with no timescale for a return to full training.

It felt that asking Galway to play in Thurles the home venue of their opponents is a huge disadvantage
“To say that we were very disturbed and disappointed by it would be the understatement of the year,” hurling board chairman Joe Byrne said last night.

It was thought by Byrne that GAA director Pariac Duffy & Christy Cooney made the decesion of the venue but GAA president Christy Cooney refuted suggestions.

“I don’t know where he got that from. Paraic Duffy and I don’t make the decision. The CCCC make the decision and we fully support the decision that they make,” he said.

“If we’re asked for an opinion, we give an opinion. But we don’t dictate to CCCC in any circumstances where games should be played. That’s their job. I’m very happy with Thurles as a venue.”

“We’ve put a massive amount of money into Thurles, it’s recognised as our second stadium and as a hurling stadium. We’re likely to play our U-21 hurling finals in Thurles for the foreseeable future. Counties have to recognise that.”

We will have more on this story this tonight.