LOI takeaways: Toxic Cork City, James Clarke shines & Dundalk remain in control of destiny
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Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Cork singer leads Liverpool's emotional tributes to Diogo Jota at Preston friendly
For seven minutes after the final whistle, Liverpool players and staff stood in front of their supporters at Preston as they chanted Diogo Jota's name. Sunday's pre-season friendly at Deepdale was originally envisaged as a day to kick-start preparations for Liverpool's Premier League title defence, but it played out as a memorial service for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, 10 days after they died in a car accident in Spain. On the pitch Liverpool eased to a 3-1 win through goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo but thoughts of Jota and Silva remained at the forefront throughout the day. Liverpool fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota as the players watch on following the pre-season friendly at Preston (Martin Rickett/PA) It began with a beautiful performance of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' by Cork native Claudia Rose Long Maguire, wife of former Preston and current Cork City striker Seani, before kick-off. As Maguire sang Liverpool's anthem, Preston captain Ben Whiteman walked the length of the pitch to lay a wreath in front of the visiting fans, with the Bill Shankly Kop dominated by banners and scarves bearing Jota's name. Emotional tributes were paid to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva ahead of Liverpool's first game since their passing ❤️ Images courtesy of ITV 🎥 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 13, 2025 Liverpool supporters sung the first of many renditions of their Jota chant 20 minutes before kick-off. When they rose to sing it again 20 minutes into the match, marking the squad number that Liverpool retired this week, supporters in all four stands at Deepdale rose to their feet to join the applause. Mohamed Salah, captain of a young Liverpool side that started the game, looked visibly moved by the moment as an image of the brothers – together at Porto in their youth – was shown on the big screen inside the stadium. Darwin Nunez (right) delivered one of Diogo Jota's celebrations after scoring Liverpool's second goal (Martin Rickett/PA) And when Nunez scored Liverpool's second early in the second half, he delivered two of Jota's celebrations – first the shark gesture Jota gave when he scored against Everton at Goodison Park, then another imitating playing video games. Liverpool have been in mourning since the news of Jota's death came early on the morning of July 3, only 11 days after the 28-year-old father of three had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. Several Liverpool players attended his funeral in Portugal last Saturday, with others at a memorial that took place in midweek. Players were allowed extra time to report back for pre-season as a result. There had been question marks over whether this fixture would go ahead, but in an interview published on Liverpool's website on Sunday morning, Arne Slot said: 'We are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.' 'We'll always carry him with us" ❤️ Arne Slot with a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 13, 2025 The grieving process will continue, but this felt an important step as a match that might otherwise have been about their new signings – Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong came off the bench after Giorgi Mamardashvili started in goal – became a moment to play in honour of the memory of Jota and Silva. Bradley opened the scoring in the 34th minute, prodding in at the back post after neat work from Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa, and half-time substitute Nunez pounced on a mistake from Jordan Storey to score the second eight minutes into the second half. Eight minutes from time Preston substitute Liam Lindsay headed past his former team-mate Freddie Woodman, who joined Liverpool from North End at the start of the month, but it felt right for Liverpool to have the final say through Gakpo.
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Scott Carson will NOT retire as keeper eyes new club after playing just two game in six years at Manchester City
VETERAN goalkeeper Scott Carson hopes to carry on playing after leaving Manchester City. The former England No 1, 4 Scott Carson wants to carry on his playing career after leaving Man City this summer Credit: Getty 4 Carson hasn't played since 2022 Credit: The Times And despite a severe lack of playing time over that period, the 39-year-old is now looking to get off the bench and back in goal for another season. Carson has his eyes on ideally returning to action in the Championship. The former Derby and Liverpool stopper has been limited to emergency cover during his six year stint at City. In fact, since first making a move to the Etihad in 2019, Carson has played just TWO GAMES - last taking to the pitch for a 17 minute cameo against Sporting Lisbon in a Champions League game in 2022. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He has earned himself a trophy cabinet that would be the envy of most players in that time too, getting his hands on the Champions League, four Premier League titles, two League Cups, one Uefa Supercup and the Club World Cup. Carson started his career back in 2003 at Leeds United and went on to play for the likes of Aston Villa , , Bursaspor and Wigan. While he also earned four caps for Although Carson has been unable to strut his stuff on the pitch very often, City's players and staff have often lauded him for being a crucial member of the dressing room during their period of prolonged success. Most read in Football 4 Scott Carson's career to date Here's a little look at Carson's club career so far... 2003 - 2005: Leeds United 2005 - 2008: Liverpool 2006: Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2006 - 2007: Charlton Athletic (loan) 2007 - 2008: Aston Villa (loan) 2008 - 2011: West Brom 2011 - 2013: Bursaspor 2013 - 2015: Wigan Athletic 2015 - 2021: Derby County 2019 - 2021: Man City (loan) 2021 - 2025: Man City CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Pep Guardiola previously said of the gloveman: "The best advice I could give to the young players is to stay around Scott Carson as much as possible in the locker room and on the pitch. 'It would be better than being with me. If they spend a lot of time [with him], listen to him and pay attention, that is the best advice and learning they can get about their future careers. Emotional Jack Grealish spotted pouring heart out to beloved Man City fans after Oasis gig 'Every second he is training and every minute you get on the pitch and in the changing room [with Carson], you value. 'It's like the young actors have to be with the old actors on the set. They are wiser and have the values of the profession.' His influence away from the pitch could go some way to explaining the Those earnings mean Carson has banked £4.25m per game and over £350,000 per touch. 4
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
'Cork City have won one game in 22 – we're sick of losing': Ger Nash struggles to stop rot
Words are difficult to rationalise when statistics are so damning. Ger Nash did his utmost to portray an optimistic outlook after the Premier Division's basement side Cork City slipped to their 13th defeat of the season on Friday, as Munster rivals Waterford inflicted a 2-0 reverse. Thirteen is also the number of games City have gone without the taste of victory, but there was nothing unlucky about this loss, which keeps them five points adrift of the foot of the table. Granted, better finishing should have avoided another blank, but equally culpable to the outcome was slack defending. Different personnel at the back didn't prevent overplaying in the wrong areas, costing goals. There's the FAI Cup second round tie against non-league Leicester Celtic next Saturday before the rescue mission resumes on July 24, entering the final third of the season. City have back-to-back home games on successive Fridays against the two teams directly above them, Sligo Rovers and now Galway United. 'This team has won one game in 22,' Nash said, referring to the last of two victories this season, the Easter Monday comeback win over Waterford. 'We're sick of losing and that's a huge issue for us. 'It's really hard for players to have belief after that run but we need to go back to the drawing board to try to win games. There are 12 left and that's the only way to get ourselves out of this situation.' Nash, appointed to his first senior managerial job in May, spoke of the reasons for his winless run at the helm extending to eight. 'We had as many chances in the first half but Waterford were clinical,' he summarised. 'We created enough chances that with better finishing we'd have won the game. We could have had one or two in the first period but it's ifs and buts. 'We went out with a team and tactic to create chances – picking an attacking-minded side to let our players attack. We gave the first goal by trying to find the players. We know there's a lot of work to do. 'The reality is we're feeling it. That run is difficult on everyone. There's a transient nature of the group, changing management and players, and we're trying to build momentum from midseason at a crucial time.' Fan frustration has been growing in recent weeks. Over 500 made the 90-minute trip to Waterford and the away section aired their feelings at the final whistle. Unfortunately, a few scaled the fence and approached players and staff. 'It's completely understandable,' Nash observed. 'Fans pay their money and they travel wanting the team to win games. We've not done that but I can promise the fans that we do care. Everybody feels that pain and we are fighting.'
