Will the failure to take their chances deny Dundalk FC regaining their Premier League status?
Today at 11:30
It's hard to think of one of the 23 games that Dundalk have played this season in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division that they shouldn't have won such was their superiority in possession and chances created in almost all of the games.
Yet they have managed just 14 wins, drawing seven and losing two - their latest their second defeat away to Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
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Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sean Gannon's incredible Euro record as Shels prepare for showdown with Linfield
On one hand, it's a relatively inexperienced Shelbourne dressing room when it comes to big nights in Europe. On the other hand, Sean Gannon is back from suspension and is ready to add a fresh chapter to a most remarkable Irish footballing tale. The 33-year-old is expected to get the nod in tonight's Champions League second-leg against Linfield, and make his 58th appearance in continental competition. And 16 of those have come in the group stages - a level that Shels are desperate to reach this year. Victory over Linfield would inch that dream closer to reality, as it would earn them a second qualifying round spot in the Champions League, and shots at both the Europa League and Conference League. Defeat and they would be dumped straight into the Conference League second round - a much steeper climb to the league phase. From his European debut in the Europa League against Luxembourg side Jeunesse Esch 11 years ago, Gannon has come a long way. There have been 15 wins, 14 draws and 28 defeats, and those three cracks at the coveted group stages. Famous victories have come with Dundalk away to Hajduk Split (2014), BATE Borisov (2016), and that historic first ever group stage win against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Tallaght. Dundalk pulled off another first in that famous 2016 campaign when they picked up a point away from AZ Alkmaar in their opening group game. Prior to that, they went to Legia Warsaw and, for much of the game, were just a goal away from the Champions League group stages. There was honour in the defeats to Zenit St Petersburg (1-2 home and away) and to Arsenal in the 2020 group stages, when they played at an empty Emirates (0-3) and Aviva Stadium (2-4) during Covid. Gannon has yet to find the net in his 57 appearances so far, of which 48 were as a starter. Wouldn't tonight be the perfect night for the versatile defender to finally get off the mark? Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Prior to his red card away to Gibraltar side St Joseph's last year, which earned him the three-game ban that forced him to sit out last week's game, he had been booked just twice in Europe. Ironically, he was joined in the Tolka Park stand by his former Dundalk teammate Chris Shields, who was serving a ban for Linfield. The pair will go toe-to-toe tonight in a battle of two of Irish football's most experienced European campaigners. 'I actually shared a lot of good times with Chris,' he said last night, sitting alongside manager Joey O'Brien at the pre-match press conference. 'I played with him for many years, he's a great character, he was a big loss for the league. 'But he is flying up here and we know the value he is going to add to the game for Linfield, he has got huge European experience. 'He is a good friend of mine, it was good to see him last week, it was mad the two of us being suspended for the same game, but he can still chat, he burnt the ears off me last week in Tolka! 'He's a great lad and a huge asset for them.' Gannon's return gives O'Brien a fully-fit squad for the game tonight. 'It's been surreal, to be honest, the longest suspension ever,' he said of the three-game ban, handed down for his part in a melee deep into injury-time in the second-leg against St Joseph's. 'Obviously it's great to be back involved, it was hard watching on. I don't know how supporters do it every week, my nerves would be gone. 'It's good to be back involved. There's a great buzz around the group and I'm delighted to be back and available.' A man of his European experience will be vital in the Shels dressing room tonight. He has echoed his manager's sentiments regarding pressure - or the lack of - surrounding such a crucial game. 'I think pressure is probably not a word we'd be using, I think it's motivation,' said the former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers man. 'The rewards for getting through as a player are huge and obviously these are the games you want to be playing in. 'Every player in the league wants to be playing here in the Champions League, and we are representatives of our league. 'It's not a pressure, it's motivation for us. I have been lucky enough to be a part of games like this and I know how valuable they are to your career and to look back on in many years to come. 'But it wouldn't be a pressure for us, it's a motivation. There are big rewards and a chance to showcase your talent.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Will the failure to take their chances deny Dundalk FC regaining their Premier League status?
The Argus Today at 11:30 It's hard to think of one of the 23 games that Dundalk have played this season in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division that they shouldn't have won such was their superiority in possession and chances created in almost all of the games. Yet they have managed just 14 wins, drawing seven and losing two - their latest their second defeat away to Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United confirm loan signing from Shamrock Rovers
O'Sullivan progressed through the academy at Shamrock Rovers, which he joined at U13 level, and made his senior league debut for Rovers when coming off the bench in a 4-0 victory against Drogheda at Tallaght Stadium in April 2024. The teenager spent the second half of the 2024 season on loan at Bray Wanderers, scoring on his debut against Finn Harps and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout against Athlone Town to send Bray Wanderers to the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final. O'Sullivan made his European debut for Shamrock Rovers in February of this year against Molde, holding his nerve to convert his kick in the Hoops' penalty shootout defeat in the UEFA Conference League Knockout Phase Play-Off. In all he has made eight league appearances for the Hoops this season, and now joins Kevin Doherty's side for the remainder of the campaign where he will compete with the likes of Ryan Brennan, Shane Farrell and Luke Heeney for places in the midfield engine room. Giving his thoughts on the signing, Doherty said: 'I'm delighted with the signing of John. He's got the right profile that we really like and he fits into our model. He's played in Europe and a lot of really big games for Rovers, so I'm delighted.' 'He's really good on the ball and he can do both sides of the game, defend and attack. He was very keen to come and play with us, which is always something we want.'
