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The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kevin Doherty reveals ‘strong words' with Drogheda Utd teen star, 19, amid early struggles after heroics vs Galway Utd
DROGHEDA UNITED boss Kevin Doherty made a Daring call that paid off against Galway United. Doherty handed a first start to 19-year-old Advertisement And after powering home in the 49th minute, the teenage forward ran straight to embrace his gaffer. But things have not always been rosy between the two. Doherty said: 'I'm delighted for him, he was excellent. When he came to us at the start of the season, it took him a while to get going. He wasn't in physical shape to play for the 20s, never mind us. 'I had some strong words with him but also gave him love as well, which you need to do. He's responded excellently.' Advertisement Read More on League of Ireland Kareem joined the Drogs in the close-season after spending time in the St Pat's academy. With Warren Davis and Josh Thomas injured, and ex-loan striker Douglas James-Taylor now at Bohemians, Kareem grabbed his chance with both hands. Doherty continued: 'It wasn't a hunch because I've seen it in training. I've seen that he will really, really suit us and suit this league. 'It's great and you're a genius when these things works out. Advertisement Most read in Football 'I had no doubts. I was speaking to a couple of supporters about him before the game and I said, 'I'm telling you, this is going to work for us' and thankfully it did.' Drogheda have a quiet July ahead with only Crumlin United to come in the League of Ireland mascots compete in charity race in Naas After the Cup holders get their defence under way on July 18, they will have a training camp before league action returns. Doherty added: 'We've played five games in two weeks, with six players missing. Advertisement 'We'll be fresh coming into games now. We're a really good side. When we're not playing five games in 14 days, we'll continue to be a good side.' 1 Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty celebrates with Fuhad Kareem after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match against Galway United Credit: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Josh Honohan comes to the rescue as Shamrock Rovers come from two goals down to save draw against Sligo Rovers
JOSH HONOHAN saved Shamrock Rovers' blushes as the Hoops' winless streak at the Showgrounds stretched to four games. The table-toppers had to come from two goals down to salvage a draw after Jad Hakiki's double gave Sligo Rovers a dream start. 2 Josh Honohan scored a dramatic equaliser for Shamrock Rovers against Sligo Rovers Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile A Dan Cleary goal on 33 minutes brought the league leaders back into it before Honohan equalised just past the hour. The Dubliners were expected to push on and extend their advantage at the top of the Premier Division. But impressive defending from the home side saw Sligo claim a valuable point in their mission to avoid the drop, extending their unbeaten home run to three games. The hosts could have won this tie late on, but Francely Lomboto could only fire over in a one-on-one with Ed McGinty. Read More on Shamrock Rovers Armed with four new signings, Sligo boss John Russell gave club debuts to two of his recent acquisitions. Loanees Ryan O'Kane and James McManus were included in a Sligo XI for the first time. And the returning Paddy McClean — whose last game for Sligo was against this same opposition on the final day of the 2018 season — started his second stint in the north west at the heart of defence. Former Most read in Football Trying to extend their lead at the top to 11 points, the visitors made just one change, with striker Rory Gaffney rewarded for his winner against Striker John McGovern, who was signed from Dungannon back in May, was on the bench. 'Nothing surprises me' - Stephen Bradley reacts to ex-Shamrock Rovers star Liam Burt's social media outburst Chasing a first win at the Showgrounds since the summer of 2023, the Dubliners created the early openings. A breathless first half featured some wonderful one-touch football from both sides, with Matt Healy and Graham Burke going close for the Hoops early on. But it was the Bit O'Red who opened the scoring. Will Fitzgerald unsettled the Jake Doyle-Hayes. The Cavan man picked out the late arrival of Hakiki to the front post and the former The impressive Danny Grant looked set to level it on 22 minutes but lost control of the ball in front of the Sligo goal, following a sublime crossfield ball from Danny Mandroiu. Stephen Bradley's charges were made to regret the miss two minutes later. Golden boy Owen Elding, who has been attracting interest from clubs all over Europe , added to his value with a skilful through-ball to Hakiki. Instead of using Wilson Waweru who found himself in ample space , Hakiki elected to go himself and was rewarded as he slotted past McGinty for his brace. The Tallaght men had a shout for a spot-kick turned down when Honohan and Conor Reynolds tangled on Sligo's endline, while Burke pulled a sharp, two-handed stop from Sam Sargeant seconds later. 2 Ryan O'Kane leaves the pitch after being substituted during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match against Shamrock Rovers Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The 2023 champions found a way back into the game 12 minutes before the break. Burke's initial free-kick was recycled back into the Sligo box by Mandroiu and on to the head of Cleary who headed past Sargeant. Sligo were almost caught out by a short corner themselves early in the second period. Sargeant got down in time to get in front of a Healy drive from 20 yards after Mandroiu and Dylan Watts combined. Sargeant then pulled off a superb double save, first from Mandroiu and then Grant as the visitors applied the pressure. The Hoops' pressing told on 63 minutes when Honohan smashed home Watts' curling cross. Although the momentum was with them, Bradley's side failed to test Sargeant again. In fact, the hosts could have won it three minutes from time. Substitute Lomboto attempted to chip ex-Sligo netminder McGinty, but he rushed his finish and skied it over the goal at the Old Shed End. SUN STAR MAN Paddy McClean (Sligo) SLIGO ROVERS : Sargeant 7; Reynolds 7, McClean 8, Denham 7, Fitzgerald 7; McManus 6 (Quirk 60, 6), Doyle-Hayes 7; Hakiki 7; Elding 7 (Kavanagh 85, 6) 6, O'Kane 6 (McDonagh 91, 6); W Waweru 6 (Lomboto 60, 6). SHAMROCK ROVERS : McGinty 6; Grace 6, Lopes 6, Cleary 7; Grant 7, Honohan 7 (Kovalevskis 76, 6); Healy 7, Watts 7 (Byrne 63, 6), Mandroiu 7 (McEneff 87, 6); Gaffney 6 (McGovern 76, 6), Burke 6 (Noonan 64, 6). REFEREE : Paul McLaughlin 7.
RTÉ News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Stephen Kenny must make 'massive overhaul' at St Pat's
Former St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Barry Murphy believes Stephen Kenny will need to make a "massive overhaul" to his squad in this window as their season threatens to unravel. At the start of the campaign, Pat's were tipped as one of the title contenders based on the way they finished the 2024 season brilliantly and with former Republic of Ireland manager Kenny in situ at Richmond Park. However, with the start of the European campaign looming next week when the Saints meet Lithuanian outfit FC Hegelmann in the first qualifying round, their domestic form has stalled completely. The 0-0 draw at Cork City on Friday marked the fourth time in the last five matches that St Pat's have gone scoreless and it has left Kenny's side down in sixth. While they are only six points off second and third-placed Derry City and Bohemians respectively in the congested SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division table, they need to find momentum quickly given the potential glut of continental games on the horizon. "I think it needs a massive overhaul," ex-Saints, Shamrock Rovers and Bohs goalkeeper Murphy on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast. "I don't think they're Stephen's players. He inherited them from last season and he got a tune out of them in the last nine games to secure that European place but there was a bite about them, there were contracts on the line. "You just look at the moment and you don't like to say it, but they look soft at the moment." On the areas that need addressing within the squad, he added, "They probably need two wing backs (or) two full backs, they need a midfielder and probably another centre-forward. "They're on zero goal difference and you look at the defence, Joe Redmond hasn't been anywhere near what he was last season, Joseph Anang has been really poor in the last month, (Jake) Mulraney has 21 appearance (and) zero goals; (Zack) Elbouzedi, two goals and two assists; (Aidan) Keena and (Mason) Melia, can they play up top together? Probably not. "So (Kenny) has been trying to put square pegs in round holes in trying to get them both on the pitch and it hasn't worked. "And if you're talking about the confidence they had in the last nine games of last season, it's the polar opposite at the moment and I think there will be massive changes in July." Also speaking on the podcast, former Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers defender Graham Gartland, who was on the books at Pat's in 2003, echoed those concerns about matters on the pitch at Richmond Park right now. "To be honest with you, I'd be a little bit worried about Pat's at the moment. I just think they really lack a confidence team," he said. "They lack a lot of aggression and power in their attacking play. But they also don't have enough guile to then break teams down and be intricate. "So if you're not going to overpower (opponents) with consistent attacks and feel like there's a goal coming, you need a little bit of guile and Brandon Kavanagh normally has that but he's been struggling. He only has two assists this season whereas last year he was up around 14 or 15. "But then they also don't have the power. I don't think they sometimes play to their strengths as well." On the latter point, he feels Pat's can go quicker from back to front towards teenage sensation Mason Melia who "thrives" with space to run into. "Not once did they win the ball back and have eyes down the pitch and say, 'Look, Cork are a little bit wide open, we haven't got time to do our build-up play play, we're going to straight into Mason.'"
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lomboto's late winner secures precious win for Sligo Rovers over Galway
SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 2 (Jad Hakiki 44, Francely Lomboto 73) Galway United 1 (Moses Dyer 47) STRUGGLING Sligo Rovers secured a precious win - only their fifth of the season - when they beat provincial rivals Galway United 2-1 at The Showgrounds. Substitute Francely Lomboto's brilliant backheel goal after 73 minutes proved the difference in a thrill-a-minute fixture that saw second-half red cards for Sligo defender John Mahon and Galway goalscorer Moses Dyer. Sligo's other scorer was Jad Hakiki as the Bit O'Red extended their advantage over bottom of the table Cork City to four points. For what was the third Connacht cruncher of the season, with one win apiece, both sides had contrasting fortunes in recent games. Sligo, who have been either bottom of the table or second from bottom for weeks, lost 1-0 away to Drogheda United the previous Friday - on the same night Galway recorded an impressive 3-1 home defeat of St Patrick's Athletic. Galway, seventh in the standings coming into this fixture, had the game's first significant opportunity when Patrick Hickey's close-range shot was brilliantly kept out by Sam Sargeant, who then tipped over Cian Byrne's fiercely-struck free-kick. Sligo finally made inroads in the 19th minute when Will Fitzgerald's persistence led to blocked shots from Wilson Waweru and Jad Hakiki. Winger Fitzgerald, who was becoming increasingly influential, unleashed a shot that was straight at Galway netminder Evan Watts. In the 43rd minute a chaotic sequence in the Sligo goalmouth saw Galway go desperately close to taking the lead - Sam Sargeant made three saves and there were also two goal-line clearances. Just over a minute later Sligo hit the front when the lively Jad Hakiki netted with an assured finish from Owen Elding's pass. Hakiki had another chance when he surged through the centre but this time his low effort was gathered by Evan Watts. Gritty Galway were level just two minutes into the second-half when top scorer Moses Dyer netted his 10th goal of the campaign with a header from Cian Byrne's free-kick delivery. Things suddenly boiled over in the 53rd minute when Sligo defender John Mahon and Galway goalscorer Moses Dyer were each red-carded following an altercation between the two. Sligo threatened again through a Jad Hakiki shot and then a header from substitute Francely Lomboto - following a corner - as Evan Watts' save kept Galway in the game. Lomboto's goalbound shot came off the upright and he was in the right place to score with a deft backheel to restore Sligo's lead in the 73rd minute. Wil Fitzgerald cracked a shot on target as Sligo, who were now in control, sought to extend their lead in the closing stages. Galway, however, almost equalised in the 86th minute but Patrick Hickey's header was cleared off the goal-line by Sligo substitute Ollie Denham. Unlucky Galway twice hit the woodwork in stoppage-time as relieved Sligo just about held on. Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; McDonagh (van Hattum 64), Mahon, Reynolds (Mallon 85), Hutchinson; Doyle-Hayes, Wolfe (Denham 64); Elding, Hakiki (Patton 85), Fitzgerald; Waweru (Lomboto 64) Galway United: Watts; Esua, Slevin, Buckley, Cunningham (Burns 46); Byrne (Walsh 83), Borden (McCormack 46); Hurley (Brouder 74), Hickey, McCarthy (Shaw 74); Dyer Referee: Neil Doyle
RTÉ News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Stephen Bradley: From start to finish we controlled it - Shamrock Rovers boss pleased by the manner of victory against Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley felt his side were deserving winners against Shelbourne on Friday evening, stating that they possessed a measure of control in their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at Tolka Park. The Hoops ran out 2-1 winners at the Drumcondra venue to solidify their place at the top of the table, an outcome that now leaves 12 points between the Hoops and last season's title winners. For Bradley it was a case of a job well done, when he spoke to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue after the game. He said: "I think it was an important game for us, we know that, a Dublin derby after the break. To be fair from the first minute to the last I thought we controlled the game and deservedly won the game." Bradley singled out a few of his side for praise afterwards, describing Lee Grace as one "of the best centre-backs in the country" following his introduction foe the injured Adam Matthews early on. On Jack Byrne's contribution at Tolka, he added: "They tried to man-mark Jack but I thought he was very clever in how he played that. His set-piece deliveries were top class. He was really clever tonight even though he didn't influence the game in his normal way but he influenced it in another way." It was an eventful night for Josh Honohan, who in the last week was part of the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their two friendlies. After putting through his own net to draw Shelbourne level in the first half, the Carrigaline native was on hand to drill home the Hoops' winner with six minutes to go. Publicly criticised by his manager in the wake of the draw with Galway United a fortnight ago, Bradley was, on this occasion, delighted with how the player responded after his own goal. "Josh has been influence for us since we got him. I'm Josh's biggest fan! He had a difficult moment against Galway but that's OK. Josh has high standards and we have high standards set for him. He understands that. We love Josh and he's a top player. He responded well after the OG." Bradley was asked about the growing needle between himself and Shelbourne boss Damien Duff, this despite a handshake between the par both before and after the Tolka meeting. "He wasn't prepared to go into it in any great detail, when saying: "Look, we've won the game. They lost and I understand you can feel like that when you've lost. We move on, we won the game." Duff was also asked for his view post-match on whether he feels there is a lack of respect shown towards him. He replied: "A discussion for another day. I will assess myself. Have I picked the right team? I picked up another yellow card tonight. As long as the people around me love and respect me, anyone outside of that circle is irrelevant." As to events on the pitch, the Shels cut a somewhat frustrated figure with his assessment. "I think we could have been better on the ball," was his summation. "I can't argue with the result because if you give away goals like that you haven't got a leg to stand on. We do so much work in her defensive set up and so to give way the two goals that we did tonight was bitterly disappointing. "With the ball we had a little burst in the first half and a proper burst in the second half after their goal. Harry Wood ignited us to a point but we could have shown more personality with the ball, if that makes sense." Shelbourne will soon be in European action in Champions League action but Duff was keen to prioritise domestic duties. "The league is your bread and butter. I get screenshots of who we can get but it's all irrelevant to me. Granted it exciting for the club and for the league but the league games are your most important."
