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Leader Live
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Evans happy to be up and running in Wrexham pre-season
The midfielder sustained ankle ligament damage on his first League One start of the season when Wrexham lost 1-0 at Stevenage on October 1 and required surgery. After a spell on the sidelines, Evans returned to the fold but only made two substitute appearances in the league after the turn of the year along with three starts in the EFL Trophy. With only one start and six run-outs off the bench all campaign in the third tier, Evans only played a bit-part as Wrexham finished runners-up behind Birmingham City to secure an historic third successive promotion. But Evans hopes to put that behind him and he scored the final goal as the Reds beat Melbourne Victory 3-0 at Marvel Stadium in the opening game of the pre-season tour Down Under on Friday. The 30-year-old, who was a regular in League Two in 2023-24 after joining from Millwall, told the club's YouTube channel: "Last year was obviously frustrating for me. "I picked the ankle injury up and (took a) a bit of time coming back into it. "But I have come back ready in pre-season and hopefully fighting for a chance, and getting a goal was a nice little bonus." Tom O'Connor gave Wrexham the lead at the break against Melbourne and after Parkinson named a difference side for the second half, summer signing Ryan Hardie and Evans scored to seal a comfortable win. "It was a really good work-out for us," said Evans. "They are the most successful team in Australia so we had tough opposition to go up to and we showed some good quality. "It was a really good run-out for us and obviously delighted to get the 3-0 win as well. "We showed things that got us promoted last year. "The work ethic and the togetherness, for the full 90 minutes we worked on getting the ball back as quickly as possible and I think we have shown a really good team performance." The second game of the tour takes place this morning with Wrexham staying in Australia to face Sydney FC - another A-League side - at The Allianz Stadium (10:30am kick-off). "We are excited to go," said Evans, who has also played in the Championship for Reading and Derby County as well as Millwall. "We had a great time in Melbourne and we are ready to kick-on in Sydney. "We have got another tough opposition there which will be a good work-out for us and I am really excited to get going." Wrexham head to New Zealand for the final friendly against Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium on Saturday morning and Evans is enjoying the trip. "It has been amazing," he said. "The place has been great and we have had some amazing experiences over here."
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carlisle turn down place in National League Cup
Carlisle United have opted not to take up their spot in the National League Cup this discussions between club representatives and supporter groups, the relegated Cumbrians have declined their competition relaunched last season featuring 16 teams from the National League and 16 Under-21 teams playing in Premier League 2, with group stages and then knockout stages from the quarter-finals onwards."The board held discussions internally and reached the view that given the nature of the competition and previous experience in the EFL Trophy, the right choice was not to enter," chief executive Nigel Clibbens told the club's website, season's competition was won by Leeds United's Under-21s who beat Sutton United in the final.
The 42
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Irish international Aaron Connolly signs for Leyton Orient
IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Aaron Connolly has signed for Leyton Orient on a two-year deal. The Galway native, who has represented his country nine times at senior level, joins the League One club following six months at Championship side Millwall last season. Connolly also had a short stint at Sunderland in the first half of the campaign and finished the season with two goals in 24 appearances overall. The striker burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old at Brighton, scoring a brace on his full Premier League debut in a win over Tottenham. However, Connolly has struggled to fulfil that early potential due to issues surrounding form and injuries, and left the Seagulls with eight goals from 52 appearances in all competitions. Before the 2024-25 campaign, he only demonstrated glimpses of his best in short spells at Middlesbrough, Venezia, and Hull City, with 10 goals in 33 appearances for the Tigers being the closest he has come to replicating the early career promise. The Leyton Orient move is the second time the 25-year-old has played in League One — while at Brighton, he lined out twice for Luton Town in the 2018-19 season before that move was cut short by injury. Managed by former Man United youngster Richie Wellens, Leyton Orient will be hoping to earn promotion to the Championship in the upcoming campaign, having narrowly missed out amid a 1-0 play-off final defeat to Charlton last season. Advertisement Connolly becomes the club's fifth signing of the summer, with Meath-born goalkeeper and fellow former Brighton youngster Killian Cahill also among their recent recruits. Former Ireland U21 international Ollie O'Neill is also part of the squad. 'I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy,' Wellens said. 'Everyone was in for him after that. 'He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. The ability is all there, and when I met him recently, I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well. 'If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.' Meanwhile, another Irishman is also on the move — former Cork City striker Mark O'Mahony has joined Reading on loan from Brighton. The English club, who are managed by ex-Ireland international Noel Hunt, like Leyton Orient, will be vying for promotion from League One, having finished seventh last season. The 20-year-old forward, who has represented Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 levels, has already made three Premier League appearances for Brighton, making his debut against Burnley in April 2024. The Carrigaline native also scored three goals in 13 appearances on loan at Championship side Portsmouth last season.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Republic of Ireland U21 ace Mark O'Mahony joins Reading on loan as Noel Hunt backs Brighton star to fire in League One
IRELAND Under-21 striker Mark O'Mahony has joined Noel Hunt's Reading on a season-long loan deal from Brighton. The 19-year-old Cork City academy product spent last year on loan at 2 Ireland U21 star Mark O'Mahony has joined Noel Hunt's Reading side on a season-long loan 2 Reading boss Noel Hunt was thrilled to get a deal over the line But having made his Reading boss Hunt was thrilled to land his fellow Irish man who he believes can play a key role as the Royals look to win promotion from League One. Hunt said: 'Mark is a young hungry striker who wants to come in and develop at our club. 'He's young and he wants to learn his trade after having a successful loan deal last year at Portsmouth in the Championship. read more on golf 'He learnt plenty whilst playing at that level, which will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season. 'He's another player who has come through a really strong Academy, and will be a great addition to our squad.' Elsewhere, Ex-Ireland star Aaron Connolly has sealed a move to Leyton Orient. has agreed a Most read in Football And Wellens said: 'I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that. Chelsea's £54M Wonderkid Estevão SNUBS Club World Cup to Say Goodbye to Palmeiras | From The Sports Desk | Sun Sport 'He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. 'The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well 'If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.'
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Ireland star Aaron Connolly seals Leyton Orient switch as boss Richie Wellens backs Irish ace to rediscover top form
RICHIE WELLENS is hoping to get the best out of Aaron Connolly after landing him at the second time of asking. 2 Former Ireland star Aaron Connolly has penned a two-year deal with Leyton Orient 2 Richie Wellens manager of Leyton Orient is hoping he can get the best out of the ex-Brighton striker And Wellens said: 'I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that. 'He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. 'The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well. read more on football 'If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.' Aged 19, Connolly made his first Premier League start in October 2019, scoring twice against Tottenham, with his Ireland bow coming a week later. But he has been capped just once since September 2021 as he struggled in his club career with Brighton sending him on loan to Middlesbrough, Venezia and Hull City before he then joined the Tigers permanently. Last October - a couple of weeks after joining Most read in Football He struggled for game-time at the Black Cats and injuries hampered his time at Connolly said: 'I'm buzzing to be here. I met with the gaffer last Monday, and straight away we both wanted to get it done. Chelsea's £54M Wonderkid Estevão SNUBS Club World Cup to Say Goodbye to Palmeiras | From The Sports Desk | Sun Sport "I'm delighted to be here, and the gaffer was a main factor in me coming here. "I know the club just missed out on promotion last year, but we're hoping to go one better this year.'
