Home Blog Page 404

FA Cup – Bournemouth v Southampton – Starting Teams, Goal Highlights & Result

FA Cup – Bournemouth v Southampton – Starting Teams, Goal Highlights & Result and all the latest news from this early kick-off at 12:15pm Saturday 20th March.

Match stats

  • Bournemouth won their only previous FA Cup tie against Southampton, 3-1 in a first-round replay in 1953-54.
  • Southampton are unbeaten in their last four away games against Bournemouth in all competitions (W2 D2), since a 2-0 Premier League loss in March 2016.
  • Southampton have reached the FA Cup semi-final in just one of the last 17 seasons, doing so in 2017-18 before being eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea.
  • Bournemouth have progressed from just four of their 29 FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, though they did beat Premier League side Burnley in the last round.
  • Only one of the last 13 FA Cup quarter-final ties to see a side from a lower division face top-flight opponents has ended with the lower-ranked side progressing – then Championship side (and holders) Wigan Athletic knocking out Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City in March 2014.

What to expect from The 2021 Masters at Augusta National

After the sporting year of 2020 was turned on its head, like so many other aspects of our lives, things are becoming a bit more normal in 2021 and the return of The Masters to its traditional April slot has golf fans the world over licking their lips.

The traditional host of the first major of the year, Augusta National rounded off the schedule in 2020 after Coronavirus led to the tournament being postponed.

That means the stunning course in Georgia will be fresher in the players’ minds than usual and could lead to some thrilling action.

Here’s everything you need to know about the first major of 2021.

When is The Masters?

The Masters will be held at Augusta National from April 8-11. It is the 85th time that the world’s best will make their annual pilgrimage to compete for a green jacket.

Who are the frontrunners?

Reigning champion and world number one Dustin Johnson is the favourite after his record-breaking five-stroke triumph here last November.

The familiar names of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka are all well-fancied, while the resurgent Justin Thomas may be finding form at just the right time, having pipped Lee Westwood at the Players’ Championship recently.

There will be plenty of attention on Bryson DeChambeau as the American tries to convert his scientific approach into major success again following last year’s U.S. Open triumph.

Golfbidder presenter Donal Hughes is looking forward to a tense fight to the final flag: “As the world gets back on its axis the 2021 major golfing calendar is going to be a feast of golf. Augusta back in its April slot with all the sights sounds and colours will be a delight.

“Then add in a field of in-form talent and this one is wide open. Will Brooks or DJ dominate? Will Bryson find a formula and outmuscle everyone? And what about Spieth returning to form? Or the wily old stager Lee Westwood?”

The stats you need to know

• Johnson’s winning score of -20 in November was a course record, surpassing the previous benchmark of -18 set by Tiger Woods (1997) and Spieth (2015).
• There will be just 145 days between the end of last year’s Masters and the first tee of this edition.
• Champion in 1991, Ian Woosnam is set to come out of retirement for a third time at the age of 63 to play this year.

How has Coronavirus impacted the tournament?

Although last year’s tournament was played out behind closed doors, patrons are expected to return to the fairways this time around, albeit in limited numbers.

The par-3 competition will once again not go ahead, as was the case in 2020, in order to maintain social distancing across the event.

John Joe Patrick Finn and Mipo Odubeko commit future to Ireland

There were questions over their international allegiance beforehand.

Talented teenagers Mipo Odubeko and John Joe Patrick Finn have committed to Ireland after initial doubts over their international future.

Neither expressed an aspiration to play for another country, however there was stiff competition to secure their signatures. Finn in particular was a wanted man having been in contact with the Spanish, English and Irish FA’s in the last few months.

Securing the signatures of the pair can be seen as a major positive to Ireland as both have the ability to go far in the game.

Odubeko was included in the Ireland u21 squad that was announced yesterday for the upcoming friendly against Wales. Finn picked up an injury which is why he missed out on the squad, but his desire to represent the country has been confirmed.

“He certainly wants to play for the Republic of Ireland,” u21 boss Jim Crawford confirmed while speaking at a press conference today.

“Unfortunately he picked up an injury a couple of days ago and he’s out for, I think, 10 or 12 days. So, a little bit of a disappointment for us and particularly John Joe.

“We had a lot of conversations over the last number of weeks and they’ve been all positive, so.

“I’ve no doubt that perhaps the next window, and if everything is fine with regards injuries and what have you will, that we’ll have John Joe Finn on board.”

Both players have appeared for their club’s first team this season, West Ham (Odubeko) and Getafe (Finn) respectively.

Finn plays as a midfielder and has featured a number of times for Getafe, primarily off the bench, but he has started a couple of cup games as well.

He became the youngest debutant in the history of the club as he made his La Liga debut against Getafe in December aged just 17 years and 42 days.

Odubeko is a striker and has featured less often for West Ham’s senior team, however his record at youth level is far more publicised.

The 18-year-old left Ireland in 2015 to join Manchester City’s youth side. He didn’t last long in the blue, though, as he switched sides to join Manchester United in 2016.

While at Manchester United, he became one of the hottest prospects at the club owing to his incredible scoring record.

However, he decided to reject a Manchester United contract offer in 2019 as he looked to take his services elsewhere. There was plenty of interest in Odubeko across Europe but he decided to stay in England and sign for West Ham United.

Since moving, Odubeko managed an incredible 18 goal contributions in just 11 games at underage level.

His form for the u23s and u18s seen him get a chance with the first team on two occasions.

His debut came in January against Stockport County in the FA Cup, however he had very little time to make an impression.

He was given another chance in the same competition almost a month later, however this time they faced much fiercer competition in Manchester United. He came on in the 54th minute and showed a couple of nice touches but failed to influence proceedings as he became increasingly isolated up front.

David Moyes controversially subbed him off in extra time after bringing him earlier in the match.

Odubeko has featured on the bench several times since but is yet to receive further first team minutes.

Ireland u21 face Wales u21 next Friday with Odubeko likely to be involved at some point if not from the beginning. The match will be streamed on the Welsh FA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup will be run on Good to Soft ground, says Simon Claisse

The final day of The Festival™ supporting WellChild looks set to begin on Good to Soft ground after Cheltenham Racecourse’s Clerk of the Course and Head of Racing, Simon Claisse, had a look at conditions at the end of the day.

 

Claisse said: “We’ve had another look at the ground and decided to leave it as Good to Soft, although the GoingStick readings suggest it has dried out a fraction, from 6.2 this morning to 6.6 at the end of the day. 

 

“The forecast remains dry, with temperatures of around 10 degrees again, and we have got fresh ground on the Chase course for the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup.”

 

Reflecting on another afternoon of terrific racing, highlighted by superb front-running performances from Allaho in the Grade One Ryanair Chase and Flooring Porter in the Grade One Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, he said: “We are very much missing owners and racegoers, but the racing has been terrific once again. It’s been a cracking afternoon.”

 

He added: “It’s a great shame owners can’t be here, but we’ve done everything we can for them in terms of engagement. We’ve sent some things to them to help their enjoyment, including personalised racecards and various gifts with their colours on, and they also have the 360 degree camera in the parade ring which they can tune into to follow their own runner around in the preliminaries.”

 

Conditional rider Millie Wonnacott was taken for precautionary assessment after taking a knock when unseated from Kansas City Chief in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, but there were no other significant injuries on day three.

 

 

 

Jack Kennedy quotes on Cheltenham faller Envoi Allen

Disappointed Jack Kennedy said Envoi Allen had been “very keen” before falling at the fourth fence of the Marsh Novices’ Chase as he gave an update on the seven year old.

The 4-9 favourite had been many punters’ idea of the banker of the week in a race eventually won by Chantry House.

Kennedy said: “He is fine, so that’s the main thing. He was very keen down over the first few fences and he was very brave over the first two.

“He went down and popped the third fence then and I thought he might be settling into it, but he went down and let fly at that one and fell. That’s hugely disappointing, but we live to fight another day.

“He was just doing too much with me in behind horses and he just came up out of my hands and landed on the top of the fence. He will learn from it, I suppose. He’s never made a mistake in his life so that was probably too good to be true. Something was going to happen at some point, so he will learn from it.”

Boxing News – IABA club membership & its HPU Unit- “A Family at War”

There’s never a dull moment at the IABA – that’s for sure. We’ve reported several outbreaks of “infighting” in the past, some involving Sport Ireland, or the then Olympic Council of Ireland (remember the Billy Walsh affair)?

The United States has gained one of the world’s most respected coaches – a massive loss to Irish boxing. Next to go was Eddie Bolger now the German Head Coach who like Walsh before him, was a huge supporting member of the HPU.team that was the envy of many countries. There is no suggestion though that Bolger was ‘sacked’.

More recently the IABA disposed of the services of another top coach, remember Billy McClean and his eventual settlement as Sean McGoldrick rightly commented at the time in the ‘Sunday World”; “Outside the ring, a series of bitter disputes have deepened a split within the Board of Directors of the IABA itself, and between the Board and the grassroots of the association.

Now we learn of an even more dramatic Board of Directors meeting on Monday night. This was a meeting of the BoD which itself had been postponed from three weeks earlier due to internal wrangles .. Alas, passions had not ‘calmed down and this week’s meeting ended in even greater turmoil. with more to follow. At the original meeting, all 6 units of the IABA had agreed to a 6 months extension for the HPU Coaching Director, Bernard Dunne – alas it was not to be a ‘done deal’.

Though that appeared a sensible solution alas it was not to be adopted as an unknown individual (clearly someone who had access to ALL of the documentation) had shown the proposal to the HPU Director. Is there a ‘mole’ in the camp at the IABA and if so time that that individual was outed? In any sane organisation that would have been the case

The HPU Director at that juncture is understood to have threatened legal action. The IABA President, Kildare’s Dominic O’Rourke abstained from the vote taken on Monday night and thus the vote was lost 4-3 as Ulster President Kevin Duffy also opted for two years.

What next? No ‘rank and file’ sane boxing club can surely allow the Association they pay membership fees to operate in such a clandestine manner. What next? Will some poor provincial club be threatened with expulsion for having allowed some club members to train in the pandemic?

Will some young boxer be barred from tournaments for practising outdoors? Anything goes with this crazy organisation, once created and operated for the benefits of its member, Now alas anything goes it seems and the membership is more than annoyed so we can expect further internal wrangling – and more fireworks -in the coming days and weeks.

SportsNewsIreland can but strongly recommend that it is time that the Government’s Sports chiefs IMMEDIATELY intervene? The Minister of Sport, Jack Chambers and Catherine Martin, the overall boss of the Dept of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht & Media, to intervene before even more damage is done to Irish boxing, the country’s most successful Olympic sport. Time for the ‘grassroots’ of the IABA to flourish once more.

Bundee Aki in Ireland team to play England in Six Nations

Ireland Team to Face England in 2021 Guinness Six Nations has been named and Bundee Aki has been recalled into the starting 15.

The Ireland coaching group have named their final match day squad of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championships ahead of the Round 5 clash with England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Captain Johnny Sexton is joined in the halfbacks by Conor Murray and Bundee Aki slots in at inside centre with Robbie Henshaw shifting to the No.13 jersey. Jacob Stockdale is named on the left wing with Keith Earls on the other flank and Hugo Keenan at fullback.

Dave Kilcoyne is named at loosehead alongside Rob Herring at hooker and Tadhg Furlong at tighthead. Tadhg Beirne moves into lock to partner Iain Henderson in the second row with CJ Stander on the blindside flank, Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan at No.8. Will Connors was ruled out yesterday with a knee injury in training.

The replacements are Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Jamison Gibson Park, Billy Burns and Jordan Larmour.

The game is being televised by VIRGIN (ROI) and ITV (NI) and kicks off at 4.45pm on Saturday afternoon.

IRELAND team to play England – Saturday 20th March, 2021
2021 Guinness 6 Nations Championships

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 10 caps
14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 92 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 51 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 30 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 33 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 98 caps CAPTAIN
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 88 caps

1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 42 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 20 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 48 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 62 caps
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 21 caps
6. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 50 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 30 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 19 caps

Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 10 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 108 caps
18. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 36 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 2 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 74 caps
21. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps
22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 28 caps

Flooring Porter wins stayers hurdle at Cheltenham for Roscommon syndicate

Flooring Porter has won the 2021 Stayers hurdle for Ned Hogarty, Kerril Creaven along with father and son Tommy & Alan Sweeney.

Jockey Danny Mullins proved to be a last minute super-sub as Flooring Porter won the Grade One Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle by an impressive three and a quarter lengths.

It was a second winner at The Festival™ supporting WellChild for trainer Gavin Cromwell following Espoir d’Allen in the 2019 Unibet Champion Hurdle and a first for jockey Mullins, who only came in for the ride following Jonathan Moore’s decision to stand himself down earlier today.

Cromwell told the post-race press conference: “That was a huge performance. Danny [Mullins] gave him a smashing ride. It’s very unfortunate for Johnny Moore that he couldn’t ride him. He had a bad fall on Sunday and he thought he was going to be ok, but he rode this horse out this morning and he made the decision that he wouldn’t do the horses justice today.

“Thankfully and rightfully so, he stood himself down, and he suggested Danny would be well suited to the horse. Johnny has ridden him all along and brought him all the way to here, and it is very unfortunate for him. It’s all down to Johnny’s instructions – he’s a quirky ride and he gave Danny plenty of instructions. Hats off to Johnny; so unselfish. I’m very grateful to him.

“He veered a little right when he jumped the last, just where the rail is cut away, and he was basically looking for the rail. When he got the rail he took off again.

“He won a Grade B handicap in Navan back in early December. It wasn’t the plan to make the running with him, but he barged his way to the front and won very well on the day. He decided on his tactics, so we went along with that, and it has proved to be the way to ride him.

“He is owned by a syndicate from Galway. Ned Hogarty fronts it up and they’re a great bunch of lads. It’s an awful pity they can’t be here. Ned owns a carpet shop and one of the other guys owns a pub, hence the name Flooring Porter.”

Cromwell admitted it was a “fairytale” to win at The Festival again. He added: “We won a Champion Hurdle a couple of years ago and it was massive. I didn’t think I’d ever win a race in Cheltenham, and to come back and win a second one is fantastic.

“Yes, I am still a farrier, but I don’t do very much work – I’d stick the odd shoe on and deal with a stone bruise, but I am busy with the training. We came across this fella by accident; he was a very cheap store and progressed right through the ranks. It’s a bit of a fairytale, really, and just goes to show that it is possible with a cheap one. He wasn’t bought expecting him to be a Grade One horse or a Stayer’s Hurdle horse.”

Flooring Porter - Alan Sweeney
Flooring Porter wisn at Cheltenham – Alan Sweeney

Danny Mullins said afterwards: “It’s fantastic. He is a very good horse. I got the call up maybe an hour before and in fairness to Jonathan Moore he gave me every little bit of information he had about the horse.

“Credit to him as he knew he wasn’t in good shape this morning and he stood himself down and that’s the mark of a great man that wants everything to go well. I’m sure he will back in good shape for Punchestown and will be able to re-unite the partnership.

“It’s fantastic to get my first winner on the board at Cheltenham and being a Grade One as well. I’m really enjoying what I’ve got out of it today but I’d say two per cent of the success is down to me and 98 per cent is Jonny, Gavin and all the team. He told me everything but the horse will be racing in a few weeks so I’m not going to give away all the secrets now.

“It was fantastic to play a small role in a big team success. There is no crowd here but I’m really enjoying this. We would ride a lot together in Ireland and a good few of the trainers I ride for like their horses ridden forwards. I’ve ridden plenty of winners that would be on the pace and having a clock in your head maybe that stood out but when you are riding a good horse they do most of the good work for you.

“He (Jonathan) was the first man to come and congratulate me and that was a real bittersweet moment for him and a real mark of a solid man to congratulate me first and foremost. I was going to give him a big slap on the back but I thought that wouldn’t go down well but I said thanks a million and well done. I had my feet in the irons but he had done all the work.”

In his ITV Racing interview Mullins added: “He’s a proper good horse, but it was a late spare ride to me and the man down there (Jonathan Moore, replaced jockey, leading up) is the one you want to be talking to. He lost the ride this morning, gave me every bit of the information he had about the horse. I had a simple job, I knew about it an hour before and that’s the man that’s done all the work and the team at Cromwells. Gavin (Cromwell) and Jonny (Moore) were very good beforehand, left it up to me and there’s the man you need to congratulate.

“It’s fantastic [to get a Cheltenham Festival winner], to win a Grade One is great as well. I’m lucky enough that I rode a very good horse today. I’ve probably given horses that were beaten better rides, I just had to steer this one. It’s special.

“I was chatting to my Dad (Tony Mullins) before the race and my mother as well. The Mullins, we are very close, very competitive, we like beating each other. My mother beat me here a few years ago, but when one of us wins, we’re all proud for each other and I’m delighted to be on the scoresheet here.”

Jonathan Moore told ITV Racing: “I’m delighted for the horse. I knew Leopardstown was no fluke and I gave Danny as much information as I could and Danny gave him a brilliant ride. It’s great just for the team and Gavin, he’s been a great horse for the Flooring Porter Syndicate, a great story and I’m just so proud of the horse to show that he was able to do it.

“I know he has a massive engine. I rode him out this morning and I wasn’t able to stand upright over my irons, I was too sore, and I said I wasn’t going to be able to do this horse justice. I said to Gavin, ‘put Danny Mullins on that horse’s back and he’ll win on him’.

“I know how good this horse is and nothing surprises me with him.”

Lisa O’Neill, representing Denise Foster, trainer of runner-up Sire Du Berlais, said:

“He ran a cracker. He’s a dual Pertemps winner and he loves it at Cheltenham, so we had no question about his stamina and we’re delighted with his performance.

“This is only his second attempt at Grade One level, so it’s promising and we can look towards the future with him. We could potentially go to Punchestown next, but we’ll speak to the owners and see what they think.”

Jockey Mark Walsh added: “The winner upheld the form from Christmas, so we had no excuse and couldn’t get to him again, but my lad has run a good race. He loves it here and for a little horse he’s a little warrior so I’m delighted with that.”

Emma Lavelle, trainer of third-placed Paisley Park, the 9-4 favourite and winner of this race in 2019 said: “I’m really pleased with him although I can’t say I’m not disappointed as well because at the end of the day we didn’t win.

“He’s run flat out from start to finish and just couldn’t go any faster. The winner has gone some gallop and kept going. We had to use him to get there and just couldn’t get to where we needed him.

“Probably having missed the trial race here it wasn’t fitness that got him beat but probably a little sharpness, as he hadn’t run since before Christmas. He’s run a super race and all credit to Flooring Porter.”

Asked about Aintree and Punchestown, Lavelle continued: “We’ll see how he is after this, but he hasn’t had a busy season and I’d say we’ll definitely have a look at those races.”

Paisley Park’s jockey Aidan Coleman added: “He’s shown a great attitude and fair play to the horse, but I was flat out the whole way – simple as. I couldn’t really get into it and when I did I’d probably used my energy to get there, but he tried everywhere and I’m very proud of him.

“That was some gallop, so fair play to the winner. It was a very good ride on the winner too, as he got a breather into him down the back and we’ve closed up a bit, but by the time we got into some sort of a position he was able to go on again.”

1st – Flooring Porter – Gavin Cromwell IRE 6-11-10 Danny Mullins 12-1

2nd – Sire Du Berlais – Denise Foster IRE 9-11-10 Mark Walsh 5-1

3rd – Paisley Park – Emma Lavelle 9-11-10 Aidan Coleman 9-4 Fav

15 ran

Distances: 3¼, 1¾

Time: 5m 51.78s

Winning Owner: Flooring Porter Syndicate

Breeder: Sean Murphy

Breeding: b g Yeats (IRE) – Lillymile (IRE) (Revoque (IRE))

Gavin Cromwell – 2nd winner at The Festival™ supporting WellChild

Danny Mullins – 1st winner at The Festival™ supporting WellChild

Gavin Bazunu receives first call-up as Stephen Kenny names Ireland squad

Mark Travers is the most experienced international goalkeeper in the squad with 2 caps to his name.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny today announced a 29-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualification games against Serbia and Luxembourg as well as a friendly against Qatar.

There’s only one first call-up in the squad with Manchester City’s young goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu included as one of the four goalkeepers picked.

The 19-year-old is currently on loan at League One side Rochdale. He recently won Supporters’ Player of the Month, owing to his good form.

There’s little experience between the four goalkeepers included in the squad. Mark Travers is the only one between them with senior international game time having earned 2 caps in 2019.

Otherwise, there are no major surprises in terms of selection.

The squad is a reasonably young one. 8 of the 29 players selected are u23s with many having played under Stephen Kenny during his tenure as u21 boss.

There are a number of players who missed out on the squad due to injury or otherwise. Darren Randolph, John Egan, Jack Byrne and James McCarthy just to name a few.

Ireland’s first World Cup qualifier is away against Serbia on March 24th, they then host Luxembourg on March 27th. Their final fixture is a friendly against World Cup 2024 hosts Qatar to be played at a neutral venue.

Our Irish team of the season (so far)

We compiled an XI containing the best Irish footballers this season.

Given the day that’s in it, we’ve decided to compile a list of the best Irish performers across the footballing world this season.

Season is, of course, a broad term so we’re limiting inclusions on the list to those of which who began their campaigns in Autumn last year. That means the likes of Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff will miss out despite their impressive form.

Although the season is far from over yet, there’s been a significant enough portion played to determine players deserving of inclusion.

With that said, here’s an XI of the best Irish footballers this season.

 

GOALKEEPER

Gavin Bazunu – Rochdale (on loan from Manchester City)

The first inclusion on the list made for a fairly easy decision, all things considered. Caoimhin Kelleher is another who has had a fine season, however limited game time made it hard to pick the Corkman.

Despite being just 19 years of age, Gavin Bazunu has been well known to Irish football fans for a couple of years now. His penalty save against Cork City’s Kieran Sadlier as a 16-year-old firmly established himself as one of the brightest prospects in the country.

Almost 3 years on from that moment and he’s flourishing in his first full season of professional football.

Bazunu has started almost every game for Rochdale, making some magnificent saves in the process.

Just recently, he was awarded Rochdale Supporters’ Player of the Month for February as a token of appreciation for his fine form over the past month or so.

Given he’s one of the only Irish goalkeepers starting regularly at the moment, could Bazunu have an outside chance of starting against Serbia?

Honourable mentions: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Jack Bonham (Gillingham).

 

RIGHT BACK

Séamus Coleman – Everton

Although he’s been in and out of the Everton team at times this season, Coleman has shown he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Carlo Ancelotti is clearly an admirer, speaking about the Donegal man, he said: “I don’t want to forget anyone but he is up there as a captain with Maldini, John Terry and Sergio Ramos.”

High praise from one of the most decorated managers in Europe.

Barring yet another unfortunate injury, Coleman should be a shoo-in for the right back spot against Serbia.

Honourable mentions: Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest), Danny McNamara (Millwall).

 

LEFT BACK

Enda Stevens – Sheffield United

Realistically, there wasn’t many options to choose from in the left back position.

Ryan Manning’s severe lack of game time – particularly earlier in the season – excluded him from the XI and there really isn’t an in form Irish left backs regularly starting at any level.

So, by default, Enda Stevens takes the left back spot.

Stevens had an excellent 2019-20 season but has failed to replicate that form this term. Although he’s not solely to blame, he is a regular starter in the 2nd worst defence in the Premier League.

His attacking output has also been lacking this season, to say the least.

Clearly a player of good quality based on previous seasons, hopefully he can come into form again sooner rather than later.

Honourable mentions: Joe Rafferty (Preston North End), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton).

 

CENTRE BACKS

Richard Keogh – Huddersfield Town

Just a couple of years ago, it looked like Richard Keogh’s career might be over. A drink driving incident involving himself and two other Derby County team mates left the former captain injured and shameful. Eventually, this led to the termination of his contract.

However, in a surprise move last summer, Keogh decided to return to football after almost a year out of the game. He signed for League One side MK Dons on a free and since then he’s very much revitalised his career.

His impressive performances for The Dons caught the attention of Championship side Huddersfield Town who signed Keogh in January.

His commanding performances have continued at Championship level and he looks to be a shrewd signing for Huddersfield, despite his age.

Could we see a shock return to the Ireland fold, also?

 

Dara O’Shea – West Bromwich Albion

Although it’s not been a particularly good season for West Brom, it’s been an exceptional one for 22-year-old Dara O’Shea.

Just two years ago, he was plying his trade at League Two level while on loan at Exeter City.

Since then, he’s managed to gain promotion to the Premier League with West Brom, earn 4 senior international caps and become a Premier League regular this season.

O’Shea has impressed at times this season despite his side having the worst defensive record in the Premier League. His ability to play out from the back as well as his defensive awareness have helped contribute to a solid debut Premier League campaign.

Honourable mentions: Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Nathan Collins (Stoke City).

CENTRE MIDFIELDERS

Josh Cullen – RSC Anderlecht

After years of trying to break into the West Ham first team which seen him go on several loan spells and play sporadically in cup competitions for his parent club, Cullen finally made the move away from London last October. Cullen, in an unusual transfer for an Irish player, decided to move abroad to Belgium in order to ply his trade for the country’s most successful club, RSC Anderlecht.

So far, the move has been a major success story for the 24-year-old, gaining valuable first-team minutes and becoming a key player for the club.

You would think given his regular game time and solid performances that Stephen Kenny would find it hard to overlook Cullen as a starter for the upcoming World Cup qualification games.

 

Jason Knight – Derby County

It hasn’t been the best season for Wayne Rooney’s Derby County. Although their form has slightly improved since the Manchester United legend took over, they still hang dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Throughout their rough patch, Jason Knight has proved to be one of their best performers. The Irish midfielder’s desire, work rate and all-roundedness has endeared himself to the supporters and he’s become a real fan favourite.

He has played the most minutes of any Derby player despite just recently turning 20.

Tipped by many to have a big future, Knight could become one of Ireland’s most important players sooner rather than later.

 

Conor Hourihane – Swansea City (on loan from Aston Villa)

After a difficult start to the season which seen limited game time at Aston Villa, Hourihane decided to drop down a level and sign on loan for Swansea City in January.

So far, the move could hardly have gone any better.

The Corkman has played 12 Championship games since his move, contributing an impressive 5 goals and 1 assist in those games.

Swansea currently sit 3rd in the Championship table and are just three points behind Watford who occupy an automatic promotion spot.

Could Hourihane inspire Swansea City to their first Premier League season since 2018?

Honourable mentions: Jamie McGrath (St Mirren), Wes Hoolahan (Cambridge United).

RIGHT WINGER

Anthony Scully – Lincoln City

The former West Ham striker turned winger has been one of Lincoln’s most important players in a promotion chasing season which currently sees them occupy 3rd position.

Scully has played 28 League One games this season, scoring a rather impressive 6 goals from out wide.

His father, Tony Scully, was also a professional footballer and managed to get capped up to u21 level for the Republic of Ireland, a feat which Anthony has also managed to achieve.

Promotion this season with Lincoln would surely put him in contention for a senior cap in the near future.

Honourable mentions: Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

 

LEFT WINGER

Aiden McGeady – Sunderland

Perhaps Ireland’s most in-form player at the moment, Aiden McGeady has enjoyed an incredible season with Sunderland.

McGeady’s creativity has been one of the main reasons that Sunderland find themselves within the automatic promotion spots in League One.

He’s contributed an incredible 11 assists and 2 goals in just 18 league games for the Tyneside club. One particular game against Doncaster Rovers seen him assist all of his side’s goals in a 4-1 win.

He also provided the only assist of the game as Sunderland won the Football League Trophy against Tranmere Rovers on Sunday.

Honourable mentions: Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City).

 

STRIKER

Joshua Kayode – Carlisle United (on loan from Rotherham United)

In a season where Irish strikers have largely failed to impress, Joshua – or JJ – Kayode has been an exception.

The former St. Francis FC man has managed 8 goal contributions in 27 League Two games this season for Carlisle, adding to the 3 goals he got for the club in 5 appearances last season.

His 6 goals this season means he’s one of the highest scoring u21 players in England’s top 4 tiers, just behind João Pedro and Keane Lewis-Potter.

He also made his full debut for Ireland u21s in November against Luxembourg where he managed to score an accurate header into the corner to add to an all-around impressive performance.

Kayode’s form this season could persuade Rotherham to give the 20-year-old a chance in their first-team next season, particularly with the club clinging to the bottom of the Championship table.

Honourable mentions: James Collins (Luton Town), Eoin Doyle (Bolton Wanderers).

1...403404405...598Page 404 of 598

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

Contact us: Email: info@sportsnewsireland.com

FOLLOW US

Design by SportsMediaIreland.ie