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Republic of Ireland to launch World Cup 2030 bid

They would co-host with Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Ireland, along with the UK, are set to launch a bid for hosting privileges of the 2030 World Cup.

The FAI released a joint statement with the four other committees earlier, stating: “The football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland are delighted that the UK government has committed to support a prospective five association bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. We will continue to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid before FIFA formally open the process in 2022. Staging a FIFA World Cup would provide an incredible opportunity to deliver tangible benefits for our nations. If a decision is made to bid for the event, we look forward to presenting our hosting proposals to FIFA and the wider global football community.”

If the bid is successful, it would signal the first time Ireland host a major senior international football event.

Ireland – along with a host of other European countries – were expected to co-host Euro 2020, however due to COVID that plan is no longer feasible. Now, England are expected to undertake sole hosting duties of the tournament.

League of Ireland players to watch in 2021

There will be several players looking to impress in the coming season.

The League of Ireland Premier and First Divisions are set to resume shortly with the 2021 season rapidly approaching. With that, there will be several players looking to establish themselves as key players for their respective teams.

Players from a number of different avenues will be keen to impress including those promoted from their team’s youth system, fringe players and arrivals from other leagues.

Here are some players who we feel could impress in the Premier and First Division in the coming season.

PREMIER DIVISION

JOE HODGE – DERRY CITY – MIDFIELDER

Highly-rated Manchester City midfielder Joe Hodge joined Derry City on loan last month to the surprise of many League of Ireland fans.

The 18-year-old midfielder has an ever-growing reputation and has been touted as a potential star of the future.

Some of his achievements to date include winning Manchester City Scholar of the Year, Republic of Ireland u17 Player of the Year and helping his Manchester City side to the FA Youth Cup last year.

Hodge is a technical, diminutive midfielder with a combative edge. Some Ireland fans will be aware of his quality from watching him in various underage tournaments.

Unfortunately Hodge sustained an injury recently which may keep him from playing the opening weeks of the season. However, if he can keep fit, he could become one of Derry City’s standout players.

BASTIEN HERY – BOHEMIANS – MIDFIELDER

Most League of Ireland fans will be familiar with Bastien Hery from his time at Limerick and Waterford. He played a handful of seasons for both clubs before heading up north to sign for Linfield.

After just over one year in Northern Ireland, Hery returned to the Republic for the upcoming season as he signed with Dublin club Bohemians.

A highly-technical and exciting midfielder, Hery should have what it takes to establish himself as a key member in the Bohemians starting XI.

His performances in the 2018 League of Ireland season seen him named in the Team of the Year. Bohemians fans will be hoping he can produce similar displays this time around.

DANNY MANDROIU – SHAMROCK ROVERS – MIDFIELDER

Once considered a key player – if not the key player – in the Bohemians side, Mandroiu’s gametime dramatically decreased towards the backend of last season, suggesting there could be internal problems between the player and club.

In light of his lack of playing time, most expected Mandroiu would leave Bohemians at the end of last season. However, few would have anticipated where he’d end up.

In what could be construed as a slap in the face to Bohemians and their supporters, he decided to join fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers for the 2021 season.

The former Ireland u21 midfielder is an immense talent and undoubtedly one of the best footballers in the league. He could be just what Rovers need to fill the void left by the departure of Jack Byrne.

RYAN O’KANE – DUNDALK – WINGER

Dundalk have signed a myriad of international talent over the transfer window. However, local teenager Ryan O’Kane might be the most exciting of the lot.

O’Kane signed a three-year professional contract with the Lilywhites ahead of the 2021 season and he could play a pivotal role this year, despite his young age.

The 17-year-old made his unofficial debut for Dundalk last Friday in a friendly against Bohemians with many viewers claiming he was man of the match.

Before signing for Dundalk, O’Kane played in the Northern Irish top-flight for Warrenpoint Town and Cliftonville, making his debut at the age of 15 for the former.

It’s unlikely that O’Kane will become a key player for Dundalk this season given his age and lack of experience. Nevertheless, there’s every chance he could become a useful rotation option.

Honourable mentions: Conor Kane (Drogheda United), Aaron Bolger (Longford Town), Liam Burt (Bohemians).

FIRST DIVISION

BRANDON KAVANAGH – BRAY WANDERERS – MIDFIELDER

Most League of Ireland fans will already be aware of Brandon Kavanagh. The 20-year-old midfielder has been in and around the Shamrock Rovers first team for years but has yet failed to establish himself as a regular.

Kavanagh spent last season playing in the First Division with Shamrock Rovers II. He impressed so much with his performances that he was included in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.

He even managed to garner interest from Crystal Palace with his impressive performances. However, he remains a Shamrock Rovers player for the time being.

Although many thought Kavanagh was poised to establish himself as a key member of the Rover’s first team this season, he will instead ply his trade in the First Division again, this time on loan at Bray Wanderers.

A highly technical and creative midfielder, Brandon Kavanagh could be just what Bray Wanderers need in establishing a title challenge.

YOYO MAHDY – SHELBOURNE – STRIKER

Shelbourne suffered the heartbreak of losing the promotion/relegation play-off final to Longford Town last season meaning they were relegated to the First Division.

They have, however, recruited well for the upcoming season.

Yoyo Mahdy is just one of those recruits looking to make an impact.

Mahdy played for UCD in the First Division last season and finished as the league’s top scorer with 15 goals, just ahead of his teammate Colm Whelan who scored 14.

Clearly Mahdy knows where the back of the net is. He should score numerous goals this season given he’s provided adequate service.

RICARDO DINANGA – CORK CITY – WINGER

From league champions to relegation in a matter of 3 years. Cork City had a horrific 2020 season, finishing bottom of the table with just 11 points in 18 games.

Although relegation is obviously a negative thing, it may provide an opportunity for some younger players to break into the first team.

Of all their prospects, Dinanga might just be the one with the most potential.

The 19-year-old featured sporadically in the first team last season, scoring a couple of goals in the process.

Perhaps his most memorable moment last season came after scoring a brilliant extra time winner against Longford Town in the FAI Cup. He cut inside from the right-wing after latching onto a long ball, beat his man and finished with his left foot into the top corner.

If there’s any player that could break into the Cork starting XI this season, it’s Dinanga.

RONAN MANNING – GALWAY UNITED – MIDFIELDER

Despite finishing bottom of the First Division last season, Athlone Town showed glimpses of promise under manager Adrian Carberry.

Their best player was Ronan Manning. He now finds himself at Galway United for the upcoming season.

Manning scored 8 goals in 18 league appearances last term and will be hoping for a similar turn for Galway United.

Manning is a Galway native and has played for the club before between 2017 and 2018. He then took a break from football in 2019 before signing for Athlone in 2020, a decision which proved to be fruitful.

Galway are one of the promotion favourites this season having ended the 2020 season strongly under the guidance of John Caulfield.

Manning could prove a vital player if Galway are to find themselves at the top end of the First Division table.

Honourable mentions: Dylan McGlade (Cork City), Joel Coustrain (Treaty United), Killian Cantwell (Athlone Town).

 

 

The ex-Dundalk midfielder making headlines in Scotland

24-year-old Jamie McGrath is St Mirren’s top scorer this season with 10 goals from midfield. 

Shortly over a year ago, Jamie McGrath arrived at Scottish Premiership strugglers St Mirren from Dundalk on a free transfer.

A relative unknown in Scotland at the time of signing, McGrath’s reputation has greatly enhanced since.

The Meath native currently tops St Mirren’s scoring chart with an impressive ten goals in all competitions this season, leading his club’s charge in potentially achieving their first top six finish in 36 years.

McGrath scored the winner today from the spot as his side picked up an important 1-0 win over Ross County.

Perhaps his most memorable performance this season came against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final. He scored a brace on the night as St Mirren came away with a very impressive 3-2 victory, especially considering the outstanding form of Rangers this season. Fellow Irishman Conor McCarthy scored the winner in injury time to take St Mirren through to the semi-final where they would eventually bow out to Livingston.

While not traditionally a club with strong Irish connections, St Mirren’s Irish contingent has grown significantly over the past couple of years.

Currently, there are five Irish players on the books of St Mirren, namely; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Joe Shaughnessy, Dylan Connolly, Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath. Aside from their playing staff, their first-team manager Jim Goodwin is also Irish, playing a solitary game for his country in 2002.

McGrath suffered an injury earlier this month which will require him to receive surgery on his shoulder. However, instead of undergoing operation, he decided to put off the surgery until the end of the season.

His decision to put surgery on hold is a massive boost to his club, regarded he doesn’t further aggravate the injury, obviously.

However, could it also accelerate his international hopes?

Along with Conor Hourihane, Jamie McGrath is arguably Ireland’s most in-form midfielder at the moment.

As well as this, Irish senior manager Stephen Kenny knows him well from the two years McGrath spent under him at Dundalk. During that time, he helped Kenny and Dundalk to several honours including two league titles and an FAI cup among others.

With that said, could McGrath have an outside chance of making the Ireland squad in March?

Chelsea’s Anthony Barry appointed as Ireland assistant coach

The 34-year-old will maintain club duties along with his new international role.

The FAI today announced the appointment of Chelsea’s Anthony Barry as assistant coach. The announcement comes just shortly after Damien Duff confirmed his departure from the Ireland set-up.

Barry is currently a first team coach at Chelsea, having previously coached at Accrington Stanley and Wigan Athletic.

He was initially brought in by Frank Lampard at the beginning of the current season but has been kept on by Thomas Tuchel.

Given that Barry is one of the most highly-regarded young coaches in England, this appointment could be seen as a major coup for Ireland.

“The opportunity to work in international football is something I’m thoroughly looking forward to and I’m looking forward to working with manager Stephen Kenny, his staff and the squad. I’d also like to thank Chelsea for helping facilitate this opportunity,” Barry said on joining the international setup.

Barry has been largely credited with Chelsea’s vast improvement in defending and attacking set pieces this season, earning heaps of praise for his innovation.

“He’s been a real positive for the group dynamic, and in all senses,” Frank Lampard told Chelsea’s official website in January.

“He’s certainly helped on set-pieces, but he’s very diligent, he pays so much attention to ourselves and the opposition in every part of the game, from what we do in the office, to studying opposition and working on the training field.

“It’s very important you have balance within staff, and what Anthony has given us is another person and another level of expertise that I can call upon, and a work ethic that is outstanding.”

Barry will link up with the Ireland camp in March for the beginning of the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.

Ireland kick off their campaign with games against Serbia and Luxembourg. Current European Championship title holders Portugal and Azerbaijan are also in Ireland’s group.

Jack Regan plays for 65min as Highlanders lose to Crusaders

Offaly’s Jack Regan made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in a 13-26 defeat against the Crusaders on Friday morning.

Regan had a very confident 65min before being replaced by Bryn Evans, the commentators gave his famous hurling dad (Daithi Regan) a mention and how Offaly was a powerhouse of hurling in the 90s. Regan really looks like a star of the future and he will no doubt be back in the northern hemisphere playing rugby in the coming years.

It was 14-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes for Crusaders with tries from Codie Taylor and Bryn Hall. Lots of penalties from Crusaders and great attacking play by the Highlanders closed the gap by half-time, though, as Shannon Frizell and Connor Garden-Bachop crashed over before Mitch Hunt knocked over a penalty to make it 14-13 at the break.

Highlanders failed to score in the second half with Sevu Reece and Brodies McAlister crossing the line for the Crusaders.

In the 80min we saw our first goal line drop out after the ball was held up over the try line, the new rules have just been introduced for Super Rugby.

  • Yellow Card Scott Barrett
    80′

  • Conversion Richie Mo’unga

    74′

  • TRY!Brodie McAlister

    72′

  • TRY!Sevu Reece

    47′

  • Penalty GoalMitch Hunt

    42′
  • HT’

  • TRY!Connor Garden-Bachop

    36′

  • TRY!Shannon Frizell

    25′

  • Yellow CardEthan Blackadder

    22′

  • ConversionRichie Mo’unga

    17′

  • TRY!Bryn Hall

    15′

  • ConversionRichie Mo’unga

    13′

  • TRY!Codie Taylor

    12′
  • KO’

More to follow

Ireland unlikely to co-host Euro 2020 with England set for full privileges

12 countries were initially set to host the tournament, however that appears as a result of COVID-19.

Euro 2020 – set to be held this summer – is likely to be hosted solely by England instead of the initially proposed 12 co-hosts, according to Tancredi Palmeri.

Ireland were one of the nations set to co-host the tournament with three group games as well as a last 16 game to be played in the Aviva Stadium.

Although nothing has been confirmed just yet, a decision is likely to be made sometime in April.

The tournament was original scheduled to take place from June to July 2020, however it has been moved to 2021 due to complications caused by COVID-19.

Twenty-four teams are set to take the stage during the tournament containing twenty teams that qualified from their groups and an additional four play-off winners.

Slovakia are one of the play-off winners who have qualified for the tournament, having defeated both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on their way to achieving qualification.

Watch: Dele Alli scores outrageous overhead kick as Tottenham progress in Europa League

Their 8-1 aggregate win over Wolfsberger AC means they qualify for the round of 16.

Tottenham took on Wolfsberger AC tonight in a bid to secure their qualification into the Europa League round of 16.

The North London club won the first leg 4-1 and they managed to produce a similarly impressive performance this tonight, winning 4-0 to comfortably qualify for the next round.

Dele Alli stole the show on the night as he scored the opening goal with an extraordinary overhead kick.

Irish international Matt Doherty provided the assist but Dele Alli did all the work. He controlled Doherty’s low cross with an upwards touch before unleashing a superb overhead kick from just inside the area to make it 1-0.

Dele Alli has endured a rough few months at Tottenham, struggling to retain his place in the first team having initially been brilliant when Jose Mourinho took over. This has led to some questioning the nature of the relationship between the two.

His performance tonight, however, should propel him into the first team picture yet again, having also provided 2 assists in the game.

Tottenham’s next game comes against Burnley on Sunday, could Dele Alli start a rare Premier League game this season?

Offaly’s Jack Regan starts for Highlanders

Offaly’s Jack Regan makes his first start for Highlanders this weekend, they face the Crusaders in Super Rugby, watch the game live on Rugbypass.

It’s an astonishing rise for a player let go by Leinster and Ulster. Everyone in Birr will be watching the game this weekend.

After a two-year stint with Ulster Rugby, the 23-year-old second row joined the Dunedin Sharks club, who participate in the third tier of New Zealand competition, in March 2020, e then played in last year’s Mitre-10.

Last October he secured a four-month contract for Super Rugby side Highlanders.

Commenting on the latest development on his son’s career, 1994 All-Ireland hurling medalist Daithi said: “Jack was told the tremendous news over the weekend that he will be in the starting 15 for the Highlanders in their first game of this year’s Super Rugby against the Crusaders on Friday, in Dunedin.

Weekly passes, featuring two live games every weekend, will be available at www.rugbypass.com/live-super-rugby/ for USD 9.99, EUR 7.99 or GBP 6.99, whilst fans can get a season-long pass for USD 49.99, EUR 39.99 or GBP 34.99.

For more information click here.

Draw for Champions and Challenge Cup Knockout stages 2021

Draw for Champions and Challenge Cup Knockout stages 2020/21 is on March 7th with Munster, Leinster, Connacht, and Ulster.

EPCR  today announced revised tournament formats for the 2020/21 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

Both tournaments will resume with Rounds of 16 matches on the weekend of 2/3/4 April and the knockout stages will continue with quarter-finals, semi-finals and the scheduled Marseille finals on EPCR’s allocated weekends in April and May.

As approved by the EPCR Board, the Rounds of 16 and quarter-final matches in both tournaments will now be decided by draws which will take place on Tuesday, 9 March.

Regarding the Heineken Champions Cup, the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool A and the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool B at the time of the suspension of the tournament have qualified for the Round of 16.

For the purposes of the draw, clubs from the same league cannot be drawn against one another, however, clubs from either pool can be drawn against one another.

A further agreed key principle of the Heineken Champions Cup draw will ensure that clubs which have won both pool stage matches on the pitch – ie. where results were not impacted by COVID-19 – will play at home in the Round of 16. Therefore, Racing 92, Leinster Rugby, Wasps, Bordeaux-Bègles and Munster Rugby will each be guaranteed a home fixture.

The clubs which are not drawn against either Racing 92, Leinster, Wasps, Bordeaux-Bègles or Munster will have their opponents, and whether they will be playing at home or away, determined as part of the draw.

Regarding the Challenge Cup, the eight highest-ranked clubs from the preliminary stage at the time of the suspension of the tournament and the eight clubs which have not qualified for the knockout stage of Heineken Champions Cup will compete in the Round of 16.

For the purposes of the draw, clubs from the same league cannot be drawn against one another, however, Challenge Cup clubs and Heineken Champions Cup clubs can be drawn against one another.

Clubs which have won both Challenge Cup preliminary stage matches on the pitch – ie. where results were not impacted by COVID-19 – will play at home in the Round of 16. Therefore, London Irish, Ospreys and Leicester Tigers will each be guaranteed a home fixture.

The clubs which are not drawn against either London Irish, Ospreys or Leicester Tigers will have their opponents, and whether they will be playing at home or away, determined as part of the draw.

It has also been agreed that open draws will take place to determine the quarter-finals in both the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, allowing for the possibility of matches between clubs from the same league.

The draws for the quarter-finals will take place immediately after the Rounds of 16 draws on Tuesday, 9 March. Further details regarding the event which will be streamed live on epcrugby.com will be communicated early next month.

2020/21 KNOCKOUT STAGE QUALIFIERS

Heineken Champions Cup – Racing 92, Leinster Rugby, Wasps, Bordeaux-Bègles, Munster Rugby, Lyon, Toulouse, La Rochelle, Scarlets, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, RC Toulon, Sale Sharks
NB Racing 92, Leinster, Wasps, Bordeaux-Bègles and Munster are guaranteed home matches in the Round of 16

Challenge Cup – London Irish, Ospreys, Leicester Tigers, Cardiff Blues, Zebre Rugby Club, Agen, Benetton Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Ulster Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Montpellier, Dragons, Harlequins, Glasgow Warriors
NB London Irish, Ospreys and Leicester Tigers are guaranteed home matches in the Round of 16

EPCR KEY DATES

Knockout Stage Draws: Tuesday, 9 March
Rounds of 16: 2/3/4 April
Quarter-finals: 9/10/11 April
Semi-finals: 30 April – 1/2 May
Challenge Cup final: Marseille – Friday, 21 May
Heineken Champions Cup final: Marseille – Saturday, 22 May

Manchester City have spent Billion Euro in Transfer Market

It is an astonishing amount of money, but the news that Manchester City has spent Billion Euro in Transfer Activity is hard to believe.

Money in world football is the highest its ever been and clubs have been paying the highest transfer fees ever in football history. Net transfer fees spent is calculated by subtracting the money earned from players sold by the club from the money spent on purchasing players from other clubs. Since 2008 Manchester City has been owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group. The take over of the club was marked with a spate of high profile signings including the then British transfer record signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for over €40M, the first marquee signing of the new ownership.

Since then City’s ownership has consistently invested heavily in its squad, taking them from a mid-table team that was relegated as recently as 2001 to a club that would go on to win the premier league title an impressive four times in the last decade. Starting from the 2020-2021 season, Manchester City has spent over €1B in net transfer fees for the last ten years – the only club to break the Billion Euro mark in England.

player Age Nat. Season Left Fee
1
Kevin De Bruyne Kevin De Bruyne
Attacking Midfield
24 Belgium 15/16
VfL Wolfsburg VfL Wolfsburg
Germany Bundesliga
£68.40m
2
Rúben Dias Rúben Dias
Centre-Back
23 Portugal 20/21
SL Benfica Benfica
Portugal Liga NOS
£61.20m
3
Riyad Mahrez Riyad Mahrez
Right Winger
27 Algeria
France		 18/19
Leicester City Leicester
England Premier League
£61.02m
4
João Cancelo João Cancelo
Right-Back
25 Portugal 19/20
Juventus FC Juventus
Italy Serie A
£58.50m
5
Aymeric Laporte Aymeric Laporte
Centre-Back
23 France 17/18
Athletic Bilbao Athletic
Spain LaLiga
£58.50m
6
Raheem Sterling Raheem Sterling
Left Winger
20 England
Jamaica		 15/16
Liverpool FC Liverpool
England Premier League
£57.33m
7
Rodri Rodri
Defensive Midfield
23 Spain 19/20
Atlético Madrid Atlético Madrid
Spain LaLiga
£56.43m
8
Benjamin Mendy Benjamin Mendy
Left-Back
23 France
Senegal		 17/18
AS Monaco Monaco
Monaco Ligue 1
£51.75m
9
John Stones John Stones
Centre-Back
22 England 16/17
Everton FC Everton
England Premier League
£50.04m
10
Kyle Walker Kyle Walker
Right-Back
27 England 17/18
Tottenham Hotspur Spurs
England Premier League
£47.43m

Manchester Clubs Combine For Nearly One-Third Of All Net Transfer Spending In the Last 10 Years

Manchester City’s crosstown rivals Manchester United also posted big numbers for their net transfer spend for the last ten years. Since the 2011-2012 season, Manchester United has spent around €944M in net transfer fees. Combined, the Manchester clubs spent close to €2B or 32% of the net transfer fees spent by all 19 clubs currently in the premier league for the last ten years, which amounted to just over €6B.

The outlay from the Manchester clubs is even more impressive considering the next largest net transfer fee spent in the last 10 years was only €498M which was spent by Chelsea.

Chelsea Spent Most in 2020-2021 Season To Make Up for Transfer Ban

London club Chelsea FC infamously had to go through a two-window transfer ban that meant that the club could not sign any new players from other clubs. In the 2019-2020 season, when the ban was being enforced, Chelsea FC actually had a negative net spend and earned a €112M profit on transfers. In the 2020-2021 season, the first season after the ban was lifted, Chelsea’s net spend was a total of €189.9M – the highest in the Premier League.

Manchester City spent the second most with €116M in net transfer fees spent in the current season but perhaps to the surprise of some, the third-highest spender for the current season is a newly promoted side. Leeds United spent a total of almost €107M, making them the only other team to spend more than €100M this season. Despite the pandemic, over a billion Euros were spent on net transfer fees for the 2020-2021 Premier League season.

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