Leinster Senior League Premier One Sunday: Bangor GG V Rathcoole Boys – The Tallaght Echo – August 13 2020

Posted on August 14, 2020 by admin

Bangor GG serve up a ruthless performance against Rathcoole

BANGOR GG……………………….……………………..7

RATHCOOLE BOYS……………………..………………..2

By Daire Walsh

BANGOR Greenhills Greenpark returned to winning ways in Leinster Senior League Premier One Sunday with a comprehensive victory at the expense of Rathcoole Boys in Greenhills Park on Tuesday evening.

Following a 3-0 defeat to Swords Celtic just two days earlier, Bangor were aiming to make home advantage count. With Victor Grundy, Kevin Coffey and Ronan Hannaphy in fine attacking form, they managed to do just that.

Rathcoole were also on the wrong side of the result in their previous encounter – a 2-1 reversal at the hands of Balscadden FC. While it was another disappointing night for the Frank Cox Park outfit, Alan Richie’s charges can take some solace from an encouraging final-quarter.

Bangor took just under two minutes to break the deadlock after Coffey was released on goal and slipped a low shot through the legs of Rathcoole netminder Arran O’Neill. This was precisely the kind of start the visitors were hoping to avoid and they suffered an additional set-back just three minutes later.

Darren Goode delivered an enticing corner on the right-wing, which was met by a powerful header from Grundy. The latter offered a physical presence at centre-forward and subsequently doubled his account with just seven minutes gone on the clock.

Conor Murphy’s cross evaded the outstretched arms of O’Neill, leaving Grundy with a simple finish to the Rathcoole net.

Rathcoole did string together some nice passages of play and were desperately unfortunate when skipper Dylan Richie’s long-range free-kick crashed off the woodwork in the 17th-minute.

Instead, it was left for Bangor to grab a fourth off another set-piece. Ronan Hannaphy rose above a host of bodies to head another corner past O’Neill.

To his credit, O’Neill never allowed his head to drop and produced a string of fine saves as the half wore on. Additionally, Grundy and Hannaphy had goals ruled out for offside in the 21st and 24th minutes respectively.

At the opposite end, Rathcoole striker Stephen Raymond headed marginally over the crossbar and had another effort that kept Bangor’s Stephen Carruth on his toes.

After discovering ample space inside the Rathcoole half, Goode raced away for an outstanding individual finish, helping Bangor to establish a 5-0 interval lead and despite some alterations to their attack, further daylight was created on the resumption.

Having taken Grundy’s spot in the front line, Lee English finished coolly to the net off a Coffey pull-back. By the 48th-minute, the Bangor management had made fourth substitutions – ensuring the competition for places remains strong within their ranks.

Gavin Deveraux was the last man to be given a run-out, replacing Murphy on 66 minutes. Before his withdrawal, the marauding right-back had registered Bangor’s seventh and final goal of the tie.

Finding room at a tight angle, Murphy unleashed a fierce drive into the bottom left-hand corner. Another replacement – Jamie Keating – had looked set to grab a goal of his own, only for O’Neill to thwart his advances.

Rathcoole kept plugging away under extremely difficult circumstances and finally got their reward when Sean Brogan climbed above Carruth to head home on 78 minutes. They were beginning to find pockets of space inside the Bangor defence and Jake Kothert grabbed a second for his side with a clinical strike on the edge of the box.

BANGOR GG: S Carruth; C Murphy (G Deveraux 66), S Philips, C Ayres (Y Assis 46), D Roberts; K Murray, C Harkin; K Coffey (K Honner 48), D Goode (J Keating 48), R Hannaphy; V Grundy (L English 46).

RATHCOOLE BOYS: A O’Neill; E Aubeave, D Richie, J Coleman (A Kelley 46), C Cafferty; W Graves, S Rafferty, S Hyland, T Mooney (D Lenthern 66); S Brogan, S Raymond (J Kothert 46).

Posted in Junior Soccer | Comments Off on Leinster Senior League Premier One Sunday: Bangor GG V Rathcoole Boys – The Tallaght Echo – August 13 2020

Dublin U16 ‘A’ Football Championship Group Two: Ballyboden St Enda’s V Thomas Davis – The Tallaght Echo – August 13 2020

Posted on August 14, 2020 by admin

Goals see Ballyboden past dogged Davis

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S…………………………..2-6

THOMAS DAVIS…………………….…………………….0-8

By Daire Walsh

GOALS in each half from Cathal O’Sullivan and Aaron Farrell helped Ballyboden St Enda’s make a winning start to their Dublin U16A Football Championship Group Two campaign at Kiltipper Road on Monday evening.

They were pushed all the way by Thomas Davis, who led on no fewer than five occasions over the course of the tie, but ‘Boden dug deep throughout and a bright final-quarter was enough to secure them the spoils.

Aside from the well-timed finishes of Cathal O’Sullivan and Farrell, the introduction of Scott O’Sullivan off the bench proved instrumental for the visitors. Some wayward second half shooting came back to haunt Davis, but with Ryan Fahey in their ranks, they may yet feature in the shake-up for the knockout rounds.

The bustling centre-forward contributed seven points on the night and was at the centre of all that was positive about his side’s performance.

He converted a free to get his side up and running. but ‘Boden hit back when Robbie O’Reilly squeezed a shot between the uprights to level.

It was an extremely tight affair in the first-quarter, with most of the space coming in the middle-third of the field. Fahey was making the biggest impact in this period and he added a point off an advanced mark on the stroke of 15 minutes.

He was later released on goal by Kyle Murphy and his strike only marginally cleared McDonald’s crossbar. Just before referee Seamus Farrelly signalled the first water break of the proceedings, Ciaran Kiely pointed a 35 metre free to leave their deficit at the bare minimum.

Davis’ remained in the driving seat when Fahey was successful off a long-distance effort, only for them to be hit with a sucker punch on 24 minutes. After having his initial attempt blocked, Fahey’s opposite number – Cathal O’Sullivan – made no mistake at the second time of asking.

His instinctive three-point finish edged ‘Boden in front for the very first time. This lead remained intact until first half stoppage-time, when another Fahey score left the sides neck and neck at the break (0-5 to 1-2).

Due to the low-scoring nature of this clash, it was difficult to predict how the second period was going to pan out. Davis’ were on top of possession when the play resumed, but ‘Boden held firm in defence.

Scott O’Sullivan was added to the attacking mix and his impressive approach work provided the platform for a Ciaran Duggan point on 39 minutes.

This was in response to Fahey’s second score from play, while Davis’ inside forward Fionn Lynch later flashed a shot agonisingly past the left-hand post.

A full 12 minutes passed before the next score arrived, Ross Mularchy lifting the pressure of Fahey with a finely struck point.

Rather than being the catalyst for Davis’ to push forward, ‘Boden were a galvanised force as a result of this score.

Kiely was on target with a brace of points and Scott O’Sullivan raised a white flag after a Duggan free had dropped short. Because of a number of hold-ups, 11 minutes were added on at the end of the game.

This left Davis’ with ample time to address a two-point gap. Fahey’s outstanding individual point set-up a grand finale, but it was ‘Boden who ended with a flourish.

Having made way at half-time, Farrell re-entered the fray late on. Following an energising run by O’Reilly, he slipped a low effort past Glen Brogan on 70 minutes to finally place the outcome beyond doubt.

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: S McDonald; R O’Mahony, L Kennedy, J O’Connor; O Brophy, E Nugent, O Byrne; B McGuire, C Duggan; C Sweeney, C O’Sullivan, R O’Reilly; A Farrell, J Meaney, C Kiely. Subs: D Daly for Sweeney (19), S O’Sullivan for Farrell (h-t), F Keating McDermott (36), Farrell for Meaney (61), Sweeney for Nugent (68).

THOMAS DAVIS: G Brogan; C Kavanagh, S Byrne, J Kearney; J Palmer, K Young Byrne, S Benton; S McNicholas, C Fullam; R Mularchy, R Fahey, K Murphy; F Lynch, E McEvoy Nolan, E Walsh. Subs: T Moore for McEvoy Nolan (37), E Merriman Hurley for Lynch (57).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Dublin U16 ‘A’ Football Championship Group Two: Ballyboden St Enda’s V Thomas Davis – The Tallaght Echo – August 13 2020

Post-Match Reaction: Women’s National League – Cork City Manager Rónán Collins – The Evening Echo – August 12 2020

Posted on August 13, 2020 by admin

Collins still upbeat for City despite opening day defeat

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Daire Walsh

DESPITE the disappointment of a 3-1 defeat to Shelbourne last Saturday – on the opening weekend of the Women’s National League – Cork City manager Rónán Collins was in a relatively upbeat mood.

Having leaked goals to Pearl Slattery, Ciara Grant and Rebecca Cooke in the opening 50 minutes, the Leesiders persisted with their challenge. Saoirse Noonan slotted home a penalty in the dying moments and Collins was greatly encouraged by the way his side ended the contest.

“We’re obviously disappointed. I thought the girls put in a really good effort preparing. Probably we over prepared a small bit, and we were in our own heads a bit. We corrected that in the second half and I think we really went at them, especially the last 20 minutes,” Collins said.

“Our pressure was really good, we created a lot of chances. It’s sustaining that for longer periods in the game. I think it shows the youth and exuberance in the team, how they really played without fear in the end and really gave it a go. That’s what we’ve got to build on.

“Shels have moved the ball well and we need to find ways to counteract that quicker. We’ll go to the drawing board this week and put that into play.”

The switch of Saoirse Noonan into the lone striker position – with Christina Dring taking over her number 10 role – was a big factor in City’s improved showing during the closing quarter. Additionally, Collins felt Lauren Egbuloniu added a lot of energy on her return from a long-term knee injury.

“I think Saoirse has done really well. She ran the channels and has really set a good trigger on the press. Christina turned over a lot of ball in midfield and instead of us winning it back in our own half, we’re winning it in their half. The two girls had a really good impact in that area.

“I think she [Egbuloniu] is 474 days since her injury and she had a really good impact when she came on. That’s another positive to bring in.”

With a clean bill of health to report on from their first competitive game of 2020, Collins and his charges can switch their attention to this Sunday’s clash against league holders Peamount United at Bishopstown Stadium (kick-off 2pm).

“There’s no better game to prepare for Peamount than Shels. We’re going to learn today and we’re going to get stuff together for that match. We’ll see how we take them down in Cork. Everyone seems fresh. The girls have really built a robustness.

“They’ve worked really hard and trained really hard. There’s a great strength and fitness in the team, and great options as well. We’ll be good,” Collins added.

Posted in League Of Ireland, Women's Soccer | Comments Off on Post-Match Reaction: Women’s National League – Cork City Manager Rónán Collins – The Evening Echo – August 12 2020

Dublin Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Group One: St Jude’s V Naomh Mearnog – The Evening Herald – August 11 2020

Posted on August 12, 2020 by admin

ST JUDE’S SIGN OFF ON A HIGH WITH WIN

Victory not enough to earn a berth in last eight as Naomh Mearnog advance on score difference

DUBLIN MFC ‘B’

ST JUDE’S 1-11
NAOMH MEARNOG 1-8

Daire Walsh

ST JUDE’S ended their Dublin Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Group One campaign with a bittersweet win last Sunday morning at Tymon Park.

Michael Foley, Michael Lawlor and Jack Crennan were all instrumental on the day for the hosts, who had defeated St Catherine’s in Westmanstown last Wednesday week. However, this latest victory wasn’t enough to secure Jude’s a spot in the knockout rounds of the competition.

Due to an inferior score difference, the Templeogue men finished behind both Erin’s Isle and Mearnog in the final standings. Mearnog’s triumph at the expense of Isles on July 29 had put them in the driving seat for a last-eight place.

While they lost out on the day, the Portmarnock outfit had strong performers in centre-forward Max Corcoran and defender David Hughes.

Having lost out to Isles in their previous home encounter, Jude’s were hoping for better fortune on this occasion. At the end of a patient move inside the opening 60 seconds of the contest, half-forward Foley superbly split the uprights with the outside of his right boot to get his side up and running.

This was quickly followed by a routine Lawlor free and the dynamic marksman also posted a nice effort from play to increase the gap to three points. Jude’s subsequently breathed a sigh of relief as Mearnog full-forward Josh Boylan’s dangerous strike drifted past the target.

The southsiders had greater joy at the opposite end – Conor Danagher slipping a low shot beyond the reach of Kian Morgan in the ninth minute. The visitors eventually came to terms with the task at hand.

The influential Corcoran converted a brace of frees before adding another single at the end of an intricate team attack. As a result, Mearnog had cut their deficit in half by the time the first water break arrived and they maintained this momentum after it.

Nominal corner-back David Hughes sauntered up the field to kick a fine point and Boylan made amends for his earlier miss with a smooth three-point finish on 23 minutes. This was a wake-up call for Jude’s, who needed a point from Crennan to get them back in the groove.

The introduction of Matty Rafferty also provided them with an additional spark. He superbly dissected the posts from a distance of 45 metres to give Jude’s a slender 1-5 to 1-4 lead at the interval.

Mearnog sought to halt the Jude’s march by propelling the imposing Cian Madden into the fray on the resumption. He was later joined by Shane Archer and they helped the Blackwood Lane side to generate a number of scoring opportunities.

Unfortunately, from their point of view, a number of shots dropped into the grateful arms of Jude’s netminder Cathal Howard. Jude’s, on the other hand, bolstered their tally through another Lawlor free and Rafferty’s second of the game.

When Padraig McNally was fouled inside the square with 42 minutes on the clock, they had an ideal opportunity to create substantial daylight between the teams. Much to the relief of Mearnog, Lawlor dragged his penalty past the right-hand post.

However, with McNally and Foley on target in swift succession, Jude’s were five points to the good (1-9 to 1-4) moving into the final quarter. Mearnog added to their account on the stroke of 50 minutes.

Jack Quinn was brought into their full-forward line as a direct option and he fired over to keep them within reach. Opposite numbers Crennan and Conor Archer proceeded to trade points, before Lawlor registered his third of the tie.

Whilst Jude’s were looking good for the win, the emphatic nature of Erin’s Isle’s success against St Catherine’s ensured they were destined to come up short in their quest for a quarter-final berth

Mearnog came close to maintaining their unbeaten run in the dying moments. After Archer and Corcoran points brought the gap back down to three, centre-back Ronan Patterson forced a fine stop out of Howard. Mearnog look more than capable of making a big splash in the latter phase of this ‘B’ Championship.

MATCH FILE

Scorers – St Jude’s: M Lawlor (2f), M Foley (1f) 0-3 each, C Danagher 1-0, J Crennan, M Rafferty 0-2 each, P McNally 0-1. Naomh Mearnog: M Corcoran 0-4 (2f), J Boylan 1-0, C Archer 0-2 (1f), D Hughes, J Quinn 0-1 each.

ST JUDE’S: C Howard; L McCarthy, F O Goibine, N Begley; D O’Connor, J Crennan, C Hyland; C French, M Lawlor; P McNally, M Foley, L Byrne; C Danagher, F Kilbane, C Huggins. Sub: M Rafferty for Byrne (25).

NAOMH MEARNOG: K Morgan; D Hughes, D Maddock, J Irwin; E Kelly, R Patterson, F Radford McGovern; C Archer, J Cottell; J O’Connell, M Corcoran, R Gibson; E Healy, J Boylan, H Collier. Subs: C Madden for Healy (h-t), S Archer for Gibson (38), J Quinn for Boylan (49).

MENTORS – St Jude’s: Brendan Bagnall, Niall Lawlor, Paul Crennan. Naomh Mearnog: Dave Storey, Adrian Kavanagh, Tony Phillips, Barry Mulligan.

Referee: Philip Fitzsimons (Liffey Gaels).

WIDES – St Jude’s: 5 (4+1). Naomh Mearnog: 6 (5+1).

CONDITIONS: Dry throughout with only a gentle breeze.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Michael Foley (St Jude’s).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Dublin Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Group One: St Jude’s V Naomh Mearnog – The Evening Herald – August 11 2020

Women’s National League: Shelbourne V Cork City – The Evening Echo – August 10 2020

Posted on August 12, 2020 by admin

Shels beat City in opening day clash

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Daire Walsh

SHELBOURNE……………………………..3

CORK CITY………………………………….1

IT WAS a disappointing start to the new Women’s National League season for Cork City at a sunny Tolka Park on Saturday against 2019 runners-up Shelbourne.

Supplementing a Pearl Slattery opener, Ciara Grant and Rebecca Cooke found the net to put an impressive Shels in the driving seat. Saoirse Noonan did pull a goal back for the Leesiders late on, but they ultimately fell short at the hands of the north Dubliners.

Despite living off a limited supply of possession, the visitors were generally comfortable in their defensive shape. That was until Shels struck a cruel blow in the 12th minute.

Rising high to meet a set-piece delivery on the right flank, Slattery headed beyond the reach of Cork skipper Maria O’Sullivan. The hosts were expected to push on from this point and, while Sophie Liston had a goal-bound strike blocked just shy of the half-hour mark, it was the closest Cork came to finding the net in the opening period.

Down at the opposite end, Shels right-back Cooke was desperately unlucky to see a brace of efforts rebounding off the woodwork. At 1-0, City remained within touching distance of a positive result.

Unfortunately, they were hit with another sucker punch in first half stoppage time when Ciara Grant (best known for her exploits with the Donegal ladies footballers) nodded home Alex Kavanagh’s cross.

City midfielder Becky Cassin produced a fine save out of Rachael Kelly on the resumption, but the outcome was placed beyond doubt courtesy of Cooke’s looped finish on 50 minutes. Lauren Singleton and Nadine Seward were subsequently introduced for City, and Kelly scrambled to save a header from the latter on the hour.

With Noonan switching to a lone striker role, Cork threatened more in the final third during the closing-quarter. Christina Dring was denied by a low save from Kelly and substitute Lauren Egbuloniu was narrowly squeezed out by the Shels defence off an ensuing attack.

Noonan coolly slotted a penalty past Kelly with a minute of normal time remaining – after Dring had been fouled inside the area – and City can take some encouragement into Sunday’s home encounter with champions Peamount United.

SHELBOURNE: Rachael Kelly; Rebecca Cooke (Jess Gleeson 69), Pearl Slattery, Rachel Graham (Jess Gargan 69), Isibeal Atkinson; Jamie Finn, Ciara Grant, Alex Kavanagh (Mia Dodd 79); Jessica Ziu, Emily Whelan, Kate Mooney (Ella O’Connell 90).

CORK CITY: Maria O’Sullivan; Zara Foley, Ciara McNamara, Danielle Burke, Nathalie O’Brien (Lauren Singleton 54); Eabha O’Mahony, Becky Cassin (Kate O’Donovan 85); Sophie Liston (Lauren Egbuloniu 73), Saoirse Noonan, Eadaoin Lyons (Nadine Seward 54); Christina Dring.

Referee: Paula Brady (Dublin).

Posted in League Of Ireland, Women's Soccer | Comments Off on Women’s National League: Shelbourne V Cork City – The Evening Echo – August 10 2020

Dublin Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Group Four: Na Fianna V Cuala – The Evening Herald – August 10 2020

Posted on August 10, 2020 by admin

Currie too hot as Fianna take pole position

Dublin SHC ‘A’ Group 4: Na Fianna 3-23 Cuala 2-20

Daire Walsh

Na Fianna produced a stellar final-quarter at Parnell Park on Saturday to seal top spot in Group Four of the Dublin Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship at the expense of defending champions Cuala.

Although Seán Baxter and AJ Murphy had put the Glasnevin men in the driving seat, their southside counterparts rallied and reduced the gap to two points (2-14 to 0-18) midway through the second half.

However, Na Fianna subsequently posted 1-6 without reply in the space of six minutes and this was enough to secure a third consecutive victory in the competition.

While Colin Currie was their scorer-in-chief with a grand total of nine points, Donal Burke, AJ Murphy and substitute Kieran Murphy also chipped in with handsome tallies. Dublin senior footballer Con O’Callaghan was a livewire presence for Cuala, registering five points from play over the course of the contest.

The Dalkey outfit also had strong performers in Seán Moran and Liam Murphy, but team manager Willie Maher will possibly look to shore up his defence as they move forward into the knockout rounds. Following their previous successes over Thomas Davis and Setanta, both sides were already assured of places in the last-eight.

Nevertheless, there was a competitive edge to the game from the outset with no fewer than 12 scores accumulated in the first-quarter. Diarmuid ó Floinn and Liam Murphy were on target for Cuala either side of a similar effort from Na Fianna’s Seán Currie.

Roving

The northsiders’ roving defender Seán Baxter shook the opposition net in fine style on five minutes, only for Cuala to wipe out their lead courtesy of David Treacy’s quickfire brace.

Na Fianna pulled two points clear with unanswered singles from Donal Burke and Colin Currie but with O’Callaghan and Treacy combining to good effect, the teams were inseparable at the commencement of the first water break. Cuala finally edged in front thanks to another O’Callaghan special and despite Colin Currie converting two frees at the far end, Treacy and Liam Murphy kept the scoreboard ticking over for the holders.

Yet Na Fianna gathered significant momentum as the half drew to a close – AJ Murphy, Seán Murphy, Baxter and Colin Currie contributing four points in quick succession. Baxter’s runs from deep were causing countless problems for the Cuala rearguard and he released AJ Murphy for a clinical stoppage-time goal.

This helped Na Fianna to establish a 2-11 to 0-12 interval cushion, placing them on the brink of another morale-boosting win. In his final act before being withdrawn, Treacy recorded his sixth point on the restart to keep Cuala in the running.

An outstanding Colin Currie score from the left-wing restored calm in the Na Fianna ranks, though Cuala duo Niall Carty and Liam Murphy (free) kept them on high alert. Murphy’s latest free was sandwiched in between Currie’s two-point salvo and when O’Callaghan and Mark Schutte raised additional white flags, the pendulum appeared to be swinging in Cuala’s favour.

This was the cue for Donal Burke and Na Fianna to underline their ambitions for the season. The highly-rated attacker had been largely curtailed up to this stage, but he emerged from the second half water break as a galvanised figure.

He delivered a devastating 1-1 blitz in swift fashion and, after Seán Currie dissected the uprights on the run, Burke added another point for the rampant Na Fianna. Replacement Kieran Murphy proceeded to grab two points in the space of 60 seconds and with AJ Murphy also finding the range, the tie appeared to be beyond Cuala’s reach.

Moran fired past Na Fianna netminder Jonathan Tracey to raise the spirits of his side and he also drilled home a free at the tail end of the action. This was a mere consolation for the seven-time winners and with Shane Barrett, Colin Currie and Kieran Murphy all on hand to post preceding scores, Na Fianna triumphed in consummate style.

SCORERS – Na Fianna: C Currie 0-9 (6f), D Burke 1-3, AJ Murphy 1-2, S Baxter 1-1, K Murphy 0-3, S Currie 0-2, S Barrett, E McHugh, S Murphy 0-1 each. Cuala: S Moran 2-1 (1-0f), D Treacy 0-6 (3f), Con O’Callaghan 0-5, L Murphy 0-4 (2f), D O Floinn 0-2, M Schutte, N Carty 0-1 each.

NA FIANNA: J Tracey; S Baxter, K Burke, H Fenlon; F Breathnach, S Barrett, P O’Dea; M Quilty, C McHugh; E McHugh, S Murphy, D Burke; S Currie, AJ Murphy, C Currie. Subs: K Murphy for S Murphy (47), M Oliver for Quilty (50), C Kelly for Barrett (60), D O Maoileidigh for C McHugh (63).

CUALA: S Brennan; S Timlin, Cian O’Callaghan, S Moran; J Sheanon, D O’Connell, J Malone; C Cronin, S Treacy; D Treacy, D O Floinn, L Murphy; M Schutte, Con O’Callaghan, M Conroy. Subs: N Carty for D Treacy (32), C Sheanon for Murphy (55).

REF: S McCarthy (St Vincent’s).

Posted in Hurling | Comments Off on Dublin Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Group Four: Na Fianna V Cuala – The Evening Herald – August 10 2020

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V Dundalk – The Irish Times – August 8 2020

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Bohemians leapfrog Dundalk into second with win at Dalymount

Win moves them within three points of arch rivals Rovers at the summit of the top-flight

Bohemians 2 Dundalk 1

Bohemians leapfrogged Dundalk into second place in the Premier Division table with a deserved win over the defending champions at Dalymount Park last night.

Danny Grant and Keith Buckley found the net for the north Dubliners in the first-quarter, before the Lilywhites responded through Michael Duffy on 42 minutes. An equaliser ultimately eluded Dundalk, however, and they are now five points adrift of league leaders Shamrock Rovers with a game more played.

After weathering an initial storm, the Gypsies edged in front with seven minutes on the clock. Full-back Anto Breslin unleashed an enticing delivery and the raiding Grant was on cue to head home at the right-hand post.

Breslin operated in tandem with Kris Twardek down the left flank and it was the latter who provided the spadework for Bohs’ second goal in the 15th minute. Having forced Sean Gannon on the back-foot, the Canadian winger created enough space to cross into the Dundalk box.

The ball eventually fell at the feet of Gypsies skipper Buckley, whose firm drive was deflected beyond the reach of opposition netminder Gary Rogers. Faced with the prospect of a second league defeat in the capital this season, Dundalk manager Vinny Perth took drastic action just past the half-hour mark.

The experienced John Mountney was introduced for former Bohs man Daniel Kelly, with Stefan Colovic transitioning to the right wing. This paid dividends for the visitors as Duffy nodded home a delicious cross from Colovic with just three minutes remaining in the opening period.

This was the lifeline Dundalk craved and they were agonisingly close to levelling matters within 60 seconds of the restart. A Patrick Hoban header thundered off the crossbar and Mountney’s follow-up was turned away by Bohs netminder Stephen McGuinness.

While this was a let-off for Keith Long’s hosts, they continued to possess a potent threat of their own in the final-third. A superb Keith Ward cross-field pass released Grant on the right and his resulting strike was inches wide of the far post.

The influential Ward subsequently put Twardek through for a run at goal, but Rogers was equal to his final effort. In a bid to salvage something from the contest, Perth added Will Patching and Nathan Oduwa to the Dundalk mix.

They certainly persevered with their challenge as the final whistle approached, with both Daniel Cleary and Mountney firing narrowly off-target.

However, Bohs held their nerve to move within three points of arch rivals Rovers at the summit of the top-flight.

BOHEMIANS: McGuinness; Lyons, Cornwall, Casey, Breslin; Buckley, Lunney; Grant, Ward (Devoy, 71 mins), Twardek; Wright.

DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Cleary, Boyle, Massey (Oduwa, 87 mins); Shields, Flores (Patching, 66 mins); Kelly (Mountney, 33 mins), Colovic, Duffy; Hoban.

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).

Posted in League Of Ireland | Comments Off on SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V Dundalk – The Irish Times – August 8 2020

Women’s National League Build-Up: Louise Corrigan (Peamount United) – The Tallaght Echo – August 6 2020

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Soccer

Corrigan hoping Greenogue can become a fortress for Peamount

By Daire Walsh

PEAMOUNT United centre-half Louise Corrigan is hoping to turn PRL Park into a fortress when the Women’s National League finally gets underway on Saturday.

James O’Callaghan’s charges will kick-start their defence of the WNL with a home encounter against Treaty United of Limerick. The champions recorded nine wins from 10 in Greenogue during a successful 2019 league campaign and Corrigan acknowledges it will play a significant factor over the course of the season.

“It’s always great playing games at home,” said Corrigan. “You always get the supporters up and there’s always a buzzy atmosphere. You want to be winning at home as well. I think it does play a little mental factor as well, when you’re playing at home. You do push yourself that bit more,” Corrigan explains.

“Not saying you don’t push yourself when you’re playing away, but it’s the whole supporter vibe. Just knowing it’s your home ground, you want to be making sure you have your fortress up and you’re winning games. It will be interesting now.”

Given the Women’s National League was initially set to get up and running on March 15, Corrigan admits it was difficult for the Peamount squad to remain motivated during the lockdown. Now that their competitive opening to 2020 is just around the corner, it has added a new lease of life to the Newcastle club.

“Motivation levels weren’t as high as they would be now that we’re back in the team environment. We would have had the likes of individual work outs and online group sessions with our captain [Aine O’Gorman], who is a fitness instructor. That was handy. She kept us going on training days, to try and keep the routine.

“That wasn’t too much of a big transition when we got back to the pitch in June. Then there were programmes to follow as well for specific player drills. Being back now, I suppose motivation levels are a lot greater. We’re just delighted to be able to be around each other as well.

“It’s going to be completely different, it’s going to be a new challenge this season. We’ll be playing less games with the two phases being about. We won’t play each other as much and every game is going to count and every point is going to matter on that board. It’ll be fun.”

In addition to being the Women’s National League holders – and, therefore, the team to beat – 2020 will also see Peamount competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2011/2012. They reached the last-32 of the competition in that season, hosting Paris Saint-Germain in a glamour tie at Tallaght Stadium.

Corrigan previously featured in the elite level of European women’s soccer in the colours of St Francis, with whom she won back-to-back league and cup doubles in 2008 and 2009. They will be forced to wait until September to discover their opponents in the Champions League qualifiers, but Corrigan and Peamount will be ready to rise to the occasion.

“It’s really exciting because it was a good while back since we were in the Champions League.” she told The Echo. “Peamount were one of the first teams to qualify for the knockout stages in European competition. That was huge back then.

“We kind of have that pressure on us a little bit to make sure we perform and push ourselves to that limit again. Hopefully get through the qualifiers stage again and onto the second round. We’re going to work hard to try and get to that stage anyway. Take everything as it comes. Don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves either,” she stressed.

Posted in League Of Ireland, Women's Soccer | Comments Off on Women’s National League Build-Up: Louise Corrigan (Peamount United) – The Tallaght Echo – August 6 2020

Dublin U16 ‘A’ Hurling Championship Group One: Lucan Sarsfields V St Jude’s – The Tallaght Echo – August 6 2020

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Sarsfields make a blistering start to U16 Championship

LUCAN SARSFIELDS……………………..2-23

ST JUDE’S……………………………………0-7

By Daire Walsh

LUCAN Sarsfields enjoyed a perfect start to their Dublin Under 16A Hurling Championship Group One campaign on Tuesday evening, comfortably overcoming the challenge of St Jude’s at Tymon Park.

Centre-forward Joseph Dunne delivered a tour-de-force for the victorious Sarsfields, accumulating a total of 10 points on the night, including seven from play.

Inside duo Charlie and David Mulqueen were also in flying form, amassing a combined tally of 2-7 during the course of the contest.

While Jude’s struggled on the night, the midfield combination of Cuan Manning and Adam Danaher did their utmost to stem the stide. In the end, they accounted for all but two points of the their side’s final haul.

Both teams had a long wait before receiving the greenlight for a return to competitive action and it was difficult to gauge exactly how each team was going to respond. Jude’s were hoping to make home advantage count, but it was Lucan who claim flying out of the traps.

This group narrowly lost out to Ballyboden St Enda’s in last year’s U15 league final and were eager to show they had pushed onto the next level. Corner-forward Conor Sheary got the ball rolling with an opening minute point and this was quickly supplemented by similar scores courtesy of Dunne and Charlie Mulqueen.

Following a quickfire brace from Dunne, David Mulqueen split the posts to move Lucan six points in front with just under seven minutes gone on the clock. Jude’s finally fired back through wing-forward Finnbar Wardick and Cuan Manning was also on hand to cancel out another Dunne single.

Yet it was Lucan who continued to be the dominant outfit in the opening period. Finn Bruton (two) and Dunne raised additional white flags, before Charlie Mulqueen bagged the maiden goal of the proceedings on 16 minutes.

Dunne continued to bolster his already impressive personal stats with three more points and David Mulqueen also found the range for a second time. Danaher and Sean McDonnell did get off the mark for Jude’s but with Bruton and Charlie Mulqueen doing likewise at the opposite end, Lucan held an unassailable 1-17 to 0-4 lead at the break.

It was becoming a damage limitation exercise for the Templeogue men and with forthcoming encounters against Castleknock and Naomh Barrog on the horizon, score difference could yet come into play. It was certainly an encouraging start to the second half for Jude’s as Manning dissected the uprights on the left-wing directly after the resumption.

Nevertheless, despite withdrawing a couple of players during the interval, Lucan maintained their grip on the tie. After Dunne converted a 60-metre free, centre-fielder Liam Garrigan got in on the scoring act with a long-distance point.

Jude’s suffered a further blow on 39 minutes when attacker Liam Kane was issued with a straight red card. In his absence, the hosts fought admirably without ever enjoying a sustained purple patch.

Another Dunne free followed on 42 minutes, preceding another fine effort for their counteparts from the ever-industrious Danaher. In a relatively low-key final quarter, David Mulqueen and substitute Darragh Lyons contributed additional points for Lucan.

With five minutes of normal time remaining David Mulqueen squeezed a firm strike beyond the reach of Jude’s netminder Conor Durkan for the second goal of the game. Charlie Mulqueen also posted another excellent point and while it was Manning who ultimately rounded off the scoring, it did little to dampen the spirits of the triumphant Lucan.

They will now welcome the aforementioned Barrog to 12th Lock on Saturday week (August 15) for the first of two home fixtures in the preliminary phase of the championship. Jude’s will be seeking to bounce from this reversal when they travel to Castleknock on the same day.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS: C Doody; R Fortune, E Kilduff, L Farrell; J McSweeney, J Behan, M Cunningham; L Garrigan, R Daly; C Hylands, J Dunne, F Bruton; C Sheary, D Mulqueen, C Mulqueen. Subs: G Kennedy for Bruton, A Duffy for Hylands (both h-t), D Lyons for Garrigan (42), C Kennedy for Dunne (50), Bruton for Behan (61).

ST JUDE’S: C Durkan; C Waters, P Fitzgerald, T Keegan; M Power, E Kenny, C Kiernan; C Manning, A Danaher; A McGennis, S McDonnell, F Wardick; S Scully, L Kane, D O’Dwyer. Subs: I O Casaide for McGennis (19), S Kirwan for Scully (30+1), C Gough for Wardick (h-t), Scully for O’Dwyer (46).

Posted in Hurling | Comments Off on Dublin U16 ‘A’ Hurling Championship Group One: Lucan Sarsfields V St Jude’s – The Tallaght Echo – August 6 2020

Dublin Senior One Football Championship Group Three: Ballyboden St Enda’s V St Vincent’s – The Evening Herald – August 6 2020

Posted on August 6, 2020 by admin

Boden maintain winning run as goal blitz sinks St Vincent’s 

St Vincent’s 1-17 Ballyboden St Enda’s 5-11

Daire Walsh

The old adage of ‘goals win games’ rang true at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn last night as champions Ballyboden St Enda’s secured a spot in the the knockout rounds of the Dublin SFC.

Complimenting Colm Basquel’s opening half brace, substitutes Simon Lambert, Donough McCabe and Tom Hayes all shook the net for the rampant visitors.

Playing on their home turf, the Marino men largely dominated possession during the early moments. However, they recorded a total of nine wides in as many minutes to let their southside counterparts off the hook.

By contrast, ‘Boden were able to capitalise on the first-quarter opportunities that fell their way. After wing-forwards Alan Flood and Darren O’Reilly both dissected the uprights, Colm Basquel calmly stroked a low strike beyond the reach of Michael Savage in the 13th minute.

Either side of the opening period water break, Vins finally discovered a coherent rhythm up front. Following a brace of Tomas Quinn frees, Greg Murphy and Gavin Burke (two) found the range to bring them back on level terms.

Yet, Boden were left relatively unfazed by this scoring blitz from the hosts. Supplementing a Warren Egan single, Basquel bagged his second goal on 23 minutes.

Following traded scores between Conal Keaney and Diarmuid Connolly, a goal-bound Quinn effort marginally cleared the crossbar. The evergreen Vins corner-forward subsequently added a routine free in response to Basquel and Ross McGarry points at the opposite end, to leave Vins four points in arrears (2-6 to 0-8) at the interval.

The hosts were a galvanised unit on the resumption and forced their way back on level terms by the 39th minute. Murphy (two), Connolly, Burke and Carthy all found the target, while the sole ‘Boden contribution came from a Basquel free. Although momentum now appeared to be with Vins, the holders reinforced their superiority.

Complementing points from corner-back Kieran Kennedy and Egan, Lambert rounded off an extended attack with a smooth finish.

Vins replacement Albert Martin pointed to keep his side in touch, but McCabe’s three-point strike left them with far too much ground to make up in the final-quarter.

A Hayes goal created additional daylight and thoug h Shane Carthy fired past Darragh Gogan to cap a spirited rally from Vincent’s, they must dust themselves down for a do-or-die clash with Clontarf in the final round.

Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: C Basquel 2-3 (0-3f), S Lambert, D McCabe, T Hayes 1-0 each, W Egan, R McGarry 0-2 each, K Kennedy, D O’Reilly, A Flood, C Keaney 0-1 each. St Vincent’s: T Quinn 0-5 (4f), D Connolly 0-4 (2f), S Carthy 1-1, G Burke, G Murphy 0-3 each, A Martin 0-1.

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: D Gogan; K Kennedy, S Clayton, C Flaherty; J Holland, R McDaid, D Nelson; MD Macauley, D O’Mahoney; A Flood, W Egan, D O’Reilly, R McGarry, C Basquel, C Keaney. Subs: B Bobbett for Holland (28), S Lambert for O’Reilly (38), T Hayes for Nelson (41), D McCabe for O’Mahoney (43), C O’Reilly for Keaney (57).

ST VINCENT’S: M Savage; S Lambe, J Curley, F Breathnach; M Concarr, C Wilson, S L’Estrange; C Diamond, N Mullins; S Carthy, D Connolly, G Burke; L McGovern, G Murphy, T Quinn. Subs: A Martin for Mullins (41), E Fennell for Breathnach (57), E Varley for Murphy (59), A Giblin for McGovern (62).

Referee: J King (Garda/Westmanstown Gaels).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Dublin Senior One Football Championship Group Three: Ballyboden St Enda’s V St Vincent’s – The Evening Herald – August 6 2020