Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty wary of Waterford FC qualities
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: 'There's 10 games left and still 30 points to play for and a couple of wins and they're right there (in the battle for European places), particularly when they're playing us. It's a bit early to be talking about having nothing to play for, it really is, so I think they're very much alive.
'I watched their game at the weekend (against St Pat's) and they had a really, really strong performance, and a really good result in Galway the week before. Who else has gone down there and scored four goals?
'They will bring a lot of challenges. Everyone talks about Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan up front, but they've got Conan Noonan in behind as well and they brought in (Jordan) Rossiter. Andy Boyle will be coming back as well, so they'll have their strongest backline available, and they've a very experienced manager who knows how to get results.
'Every game in this league is so, so difficult, but we're going into Friday confident after winning three in a row and playing well.
'I could not have been happier with the performance on Friday (against Bohemians) and I think it was very, very evident what we were doing on that training camp in Spain the week before.'
'The big thing for me is the availability of players, which is a massive difference compared to a month ago. Paul Doyle did his first full training session yesterday, so it's only Elicha Ahui, Zishim Bawa and Scott Brady who aren't available now.'
Warren Davis and Darragh Markey scored the goals in a 2-0 win the last time Waterford visited Drogheda, but in the reverse fixture in the RSC it took a stoppage-time strike from Conor Keeley to rescue a 2-2 draw.
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty wary of Waterford FC qualities
The Blues lie seven points clear of second-bottom Sligo Rovers and trail fourth-placed Drogheda by eight, but Doherty doesn't accept that they'll journey up the M1 with nothing to pride to play for. Speaking on Tuesday, he said: 'There's 10 games left and still 30 points to play for and a couple of wins and they're right there (in the battle for European places), particularly when they're playing us. It's a bit early to be talking about having nothing to play for, it really is, so I think they're very much alive. 'I watched their game at the weekend (against St Pat's) and they had a really, really strong performance, and a really good result in Galway the week before. Who else has gone down there and scored four goals? 'They will bring a lot of challenges. Everyone talks about Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan up front, but they've got Conan Noonan in behind as well and they brought in (Jordan) Rossiter. Andy Boyle will be coming back as well, so they'll have their strongest backline available, and they've a very experienced manager who knows how to get results. 'Every game in this league is so, so difficult, but we're going into Friday confident after winning three in a row and playing well. 'I could not have been happier with the performance on Friday (against Bohemians) and I think it was very, very evident what we were doing on that training camp in Spain the week before.' 'The big thing for me is the availability of players, which is a massive difference compared to a month ago. Paul Doyle did his first full training session yesterday, so it's only Elicha Ahui, Zishim Bawa and Scott Brady who aren't available now.' Warren Davis and Darragh Markey scored the goals in a 2-0 win the last time Waterford visited Drogheda, but in the reverse fixture in the RSC it took a stoppage-time strike from Conor Keeley to rescue a 2-2 draw.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Katie Mullan eyes semi spot for Ireland ahead of EuroHockey Championships
Katie Mullan and her Ireland team-mates have set themselves a goal of reaching the semi-finals stage at the upcoming EuroHockey Championships in Germany. Ireland, who have been drawn in Pool A in Monchengladbach, get the eight-team tournament under way with an arduous opener against the Netherlands on Saturday (Live on RTÉ). After facing the side at the summit of the world rankings, fixtures against France (world ranking 19) and Germany (world ranking 6) follow for Gareth Grundie's charges, who themselves are 11th in the global standings. The 31-year-old Mullan, who made her international debut back in 2012 against Wales, recognises the rigours in achieving a semi-final berth but believes a last-four place is obtainable. "This is going to be Europeans number six for me," the Coleraine native told RTÉ Sport. "We've never cracked it, the highest we've finished is fifth, but we've never made that semi-final so that's a big motivator for me and for the rest of the team. "I was just explaining that to the girls the other day, the journey we've gone on each Europeans, it's the hardest continental games by far because of the standard of hockey. "You've got so many top-10 teams on the European continent and then the other thing is the set-up of the tournament – you have to finish top two in your pool. "For us, it means beating a nation ranked a good bit higher than us. That's a challenge, but we're ready for it now and we've had a lot of practice games and we're just looking forward to getting going now." Mikayla Power's late, late winner last Friday at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin secured the home side a 2-1 series win over a Spain outfit ranked seventh in the world, delighting fans and buoying confidence ahead of the Euros. "It's huge, and do you know what? It's been the greatest pleasure to play these games here in Dublin," Mullan explained. "I can't remember the last time Spain came over and played us. "It's been brilliant to have these games here on home soil, get a bit of a crowd around the pitch, just to drum up momentum going into next week, and it's fantastic that RTÉ is showing the games live throughout the Europeans tournament. It's so important for our sport and for the growth of our sport. The encounter against the Netherlands is likely one where Ireland will come up short, while the France fixture has to be regarded as one of the must-win variety, meaning there is a strong likelihood that pool finale against Germany will decide Ireland's knockouts fate. "I think Germany is a really important game for us," Mullan acknowledged. "We used to play the Germans quite a lot and we haven't played them in the last 18 months so much. "They've had a lot of retirements, their team is very, very different, so we've been watching them closely in the Pro League. "I think there is opportunity. "One thing I've noticed is the Europeans immediately after the Olympics is always an exciting one because people don't know one another as well. "There have been retirements, there are new players, there are changes of coaches, there are all these different variables that you find within 12 months of an Olympics. "It won't disappoint, I can guarantee you that!"
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Crystal Palace drop cryptic hint about European future as they DELETE major update from club website
Crystal Palace learned a key date that will determine their European future CRYSTAL CLEAR Crystal Palace drop cryptic hint about European future as they DELETE major update from club website CRYSTAL PALACE deleted anything that links them with the Conference League amid their ongoing bid to regain Europa League qualification. Palace have clashed with Uefa after they were demoted to Europe's third-tier competition due to multi-club ownership issues. Advertisement 4 Crystal Palace deleted anything that links them with the Conference League Credit: Severin Aichbauer/APA-PictureDesk/Shutterstock 4 Palace deleted an article detailing their potential Conference League opponents Credit: Crystal Palace 4 Palace also erased their Conference League fixture dates 4 Palace have appealed their demotion from the Europa League to the Court of Arbitration for Sport Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth The Eagles qualified for the Europa League for the first time in their history after winning the FA Cup last season. However, former co-owner John Textor's ownership stake at Lyon, who also qualified for the competition, cost them a place in Europe's second-tier competition. Teams under similar ownership can't compete in the same Uefa competition as per the football governing body's rules. Palace were bumped down due to their Premier League finish as the French giants snatched sixth place in Ligue 1, which is higher than Textor's other club at the time, who only managed 12th. Advertisement That its despite Textor selling his shares to Woody Johnson two months ago. Uefa moved their multi-ownership compliance deadline forward from June 1 to March 1 and Palace argue they were caught out by this change before missing the date. Therefore, Oliver Glasner's side was replaced by Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh last season. Thus, Palace found out their Conference League opponent in the play-off round of the qualifying stage. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Glasner's men were drawn with the winner of the third qualifying match between Fredrikstad and Midtjylland. The Eagles' official website went on to briefly publish an article detailing their potential European opponents shortly after the draw on Monday afternoon. Crystal Palace fans protest against Europa League demotion But the piece was deleted in the evening of that same day with the original link returning a 404 error. Advertisement It reads: "The page you're looking for has either been moved, deleted or simply doesn't exist." No European dates are listed on the club's online fixture schedule either. The removal suggests Palace's resistance to playing in the Conference League. The Premier League outfit have taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging Uefa's ruling. Advertisement The hearing will take place on Friday, with a verdict expected next Monday. Palace's argument has long been that Textor, who owned 43 per cent of the club before selling to Johnson, had no influence in South London. And chairman Steve Parish is confident they can have the decision overturned.
