Why fit-again Josh Thomas is chomping at the bit for Drogheda United season finale
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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wexford FC suffer defeat in Dundalk to lose further ground in play-off race
A first-half double from Gbemi Arubi put the Lilywhites in control, but Wexford got a real foothold in the game when substitute Muhammad Haris halved the deficit shortly after the interval. However, Keith Ward restored the two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute and, although Mikie Rowe pulled one back late on, the visitors couldn't force an equaliser, leaving them seven points adrift of fifth-placed Treaty United. Stephen Elliott named an unchanged eleven from the previous weekend's 4-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup and the visitors again got off to a nightmare start – something that has happened too often this season. There was little over 90 seconds on the clock when the hosts struck the front through Arubi. Daryl Horgan turned smartly to his right and whipped in an inviting delivery. Former Wexford player Eoin Kenny headed the cross towards goal and, although Paul Martin made the save, the alert Arubi was on hand to finish from close range. The lively attacker quickly threatened to grab a second when he broke clear, but his shot was well blocked by Dean Larkin. After a difficult opening, Wexford had their first sight of goal in the 11th minute when Ben McCormack found Ajibola Oluwabiya, and the winger curled a right-footed effort over the crossbar from just outside the 18-yard box. Mikie Rowe then cut inside but was well off target with his left while, at the other end, Aodh Dervin showed good feet before getting a shot away, but his long-range effort was always rising. After Dervin dragged another effort wide, Dundalk did grab their second goal just before the half hour mark and they did so in style. Declan McDaid glanced a header towards Arubi and the frontman blasted a sweet first-time effort to the corner of the net, giving goalkeeper Paul Martin no chance. The hosts were threatening to run riot and, after good work from Arubi, Daryl Horgan tried to pick out McDaid, but he was denied by good defending from James Crawford. Wexford weathered the storm and when Michael McCarthy played a long ball forward for Aaron Dobbs to run on to in the 38th minute and the striker was taken down by goalkeeper Enda Minogue, it briefly looked like the visitors would have a route back into the game. However, the offside flag was quickly up for what was a marginal call, so the referee didn't have a decision to make. Muhammad Haris, who only recently joined Wexford from the Lilywhites, was introduced for the start of the second-half and he quickly came back to haunt his former side as he brought the visitors back into the contest in the 50th minute. Another former Dundalk player, Robbie McCourt, played a hopeful ball forward which Minogue inexplicably allowed to slip from his grasp, and Haris had the simple task of rolling to the net for his first League of Ireland goal. Unfortunately, the wind was soon taken out of Wexford's sails when another substitute, experienced campaigner Keith Ward, grabbed Dundalk's third goal in the 63rd minute. A dangerous McDaid cross was only cleared as far as Ward and the playmaker fired a stunning volley that flew past Martin and into the net. Having started the second-half well it was a bitter blow for the Slaneysiders but, to their credit, they kept plugging away and Dean Larkin steered a McCormack free-kick narrowly wide moments later. Arubi and Ward were both off target with efforts as the hosts tried to put the contest to bed, while McDaid couldn't generate enough power on a header from a Horgan cross. Wexford managed to just about stay in the game though and, after McCormack shot wide, they were right back in the contest in the 87th minute when Mikie Rowe grabbed a lifeline. McCourt clipped a free-kick to Calum Flynn, with the substitute lifting the ball across the box and when it fell to Dean Larkin, he nodded on to Rowe, who applied a tidy finish past Minogue for his 16th league goal of the season. Aodh Dervin's strike deflected wide off McCourt as Dundalk threatened a quick response, but Wexford almost rescued an unlikely share of the spoils in the 94th minute as Dean Larkin got his head to a Cian Browne long throw, but the ball drifted narrowly wide of the far post. It was Wexford's second successive 3-2 defeat to the league leaders, having suffered the same fate in their previous meeting in Ferrycarrig Park at the end of May. Wexford will be hoping to get a much-needed win when they host Finn Harps on Friday and the Donegal side should be in high spirits, having held high-flying Cobh Ramblers to a 2-2 draw at the weekend. Dundalk: Enda Minogue; John Ross Wilson, Conor O'Keeffe, Vinnie Leonard, Shane Tracey; Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome; Declan McDaid, Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi. Subs. – Andy Parashiv for Groome (56), Keith Ward for Kenny (56), Rohan Vaughan for Horgan (78), Dean Ebbe for Arubi (78), Luke Mulligan for Tracey (90+1), also, Peter Cherrie, Sammy Safaei, Seán Spaight, T.J. Molloy. Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Michael McCarthy, Dean Larkin, Robbie McCourt, James Crawford; Matthew O'Brien, Kaylem Harnett, Ben McCormack; Mikie Rowe, Aaron Dobbs (capt.), Ajibola Oluwabiyi. Subs. – Muhammad Haris for Harnett (HT), Darragh Levingston for O'Brien (58), Cian Browne for Crawford (64), Filip Wasilewski for Oluwabiyi (64), Calum Flynn for Dobbs (71), also, Alex Moody, Zayd Abada, Ryan Butler, Patrick Manning. SSE AIRTRICITY FIRST DIVISION P W D L F A Pt Dundalk 24 15 7 2 39 18 52 Cobh Ramblers 24 14 4 6 41 24 46 Bray Wanderers 23 14 1 8 39 29 43 UCD 24 10 6 8 27 23 36 Treaty United 24 9 7 8 38 25 34 Wexford FC 24 7 6 11 28 33 27 Longford Town 23 6 7 10 22 39 25 Finn Harps 24 5 9 9 26 31 24 Kerry FC 24 6 3 14 24 41 21 Athlone Town 24 3 8 13 18 39 16
Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Olympian Rhys McClenaghan gives fans post-surgery update
Olympic gold medalist and Dancing with the Stars champion Rhys McClenaghan has shared a health update from the hospital after his shoulder surgery. Rhys gave the camera a thumbs up from his hospital bed as he shared the update on social media. The Olympic gymnast is recovering from having surgery on his shoulder which he remarked can be the 'reality of sport'. Rhys is in good spirits after the surgery. Pic: Instagram/Rhys McClenaghan Rhys wrote: 'Day 1 of recovery from shoulder surgery'. 'I've been struggling with this injury for a while now, so I'm delighted that everything went to plan with the operation and I can make my way back to maintaining my spot as the best in the world at what I do. 'This is the reality of sport, and I love all of the challenges it throws my way. Champion Mindset.' Rhys McClenaghan in action at the Olympics. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Earlier this year, the gold medalist was forced to withdraw from the European Championships in Leipzig because of an unspecified injury. At the time, he said: 'I tried my best to push through preparation but an injury kept holding me back. 'I chose to prioritise being healthy and recovering for future competitions this year and be sure that I can put out my best work yet. The Olympic gymnast is recovering from having surgery on his shoulder which he remarked can be the 'reality of sport'. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 'I may not be retaining my European title but the path to being the GOAT is still very clear.' His fellow Dancing with the Stars team were quick to send their well wishes in the comment section of his recent post. Kylee Vincent wrote: 'Speedy recovery', with Karen Byrne adding the same message and Brian Redmond saying: 'Get better soon champ. I hope the feet are still at their exceptional best.' Earlier this year, the gold medalist was forced to withdraw from the European Championships in Leipzig because of an unspecified injury. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile Rhys shared an additional post on Instagram from the hospital bed with him narrating over videos from the hospital and clips from his gymnastics. He said: 'This time last year, I was at the Olympic Games and today I'm in a hospital bed. 'I think this is why sport is such a great example for life. 'One moment, you're on top of the world and the next, well, you're not. 'Well because to have the good days, I think you have to have the bad days. 'I also think that this is one of the reasons why I love what I do so much because even though I'm in a bad situation currently, I know that when I'm back competing in front of millions again, when I finish that routine, it's going to feel so much sweeter. 'But that comeback starts today.'
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
FAI Cup third round ties and live RTE TV clash confirmed as warning is issued
The times and dates for the FAI third round fixtures have been confirmed by the FAI, along with the game that will be screened live on RTÉ2. Cup holders Drogheda United are on the road on Saturday night to face Derry City, the team they beat last November at the Aviva Stadium to win the famous trophy. That game will be televised live on RTÉ2 on Saturday August 16, with an 8pm kick-off. All the other ties are scheduled to take place on Friday August 15, however that comes with the warning that involvement in European football would lead to changes. Ties involving Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic are all potentially up for change. 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 . One of the most interesting ties of the round, a Galway derby, sees Salthill Devon take on Premier Division Galway United. Salthill were drawn as the home club, but both sides have agreed to move the tie to Eamonn Deacy Park. Third Round fixtures Friday, 15 August Bohemians v Sligo Rovers (Dalymount Park, 7.45pm) Cork City v Waterford (Turner's Cross, 7.45pm) Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers (Finn Park, 7.45pm) Kerry v Cobh Ramblers (Mounthawk Park, 745pm) Salthill Devon v Galway United (Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm) St. Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne (Richmond Park, 7.45pm*) Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town (Tallaght Stadium, 8pm*) Saturday, 16 August Derry City v Drogheda United (Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 8pm) *These fixtures will be subject to rescheduling depending on the involvement of Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic in UEFA Club Competitions Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
