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Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Victor Ozhianvuna opens his Hoops account as Stephen Bradley summons cavalry to see off Wexford
This second-round tie against Stephen Elliott's men was the first home game in the competition in four seasons for Rovers but a match which seemed to be wrapped up early, when teenager Victor Ozhianvuna put them ahead as early as the seventh minute with his first senior goal for the club, turned out to be more tricky than expected. The win was only sealed with later goals from subs Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney and Danny Mandroiu as Rovers picked apart a Wexford side who had looked solid for 70 minutes. Some impressive work from Wexford goalkeeper Paul Martin had restricted the Premier Division league leaders to that single goal, from the teenager, and while Wexford never came close to scoring in front of a crowd of 2,420, those strikes, all in the last 14 minutes will leave a bruise on the visiting camp. Aware that this was about as tough a test as possible in the FAI Cup, away to the top-flight leaders, Wexford's game-plan would have been simple: to keep things tight for as long as possible and try to force the Hoops into making errors. So they could have done without handing Rovers such a soft goal to open their account. The game was only eight minutes old when Darragh Nugent found space down the right and crossed for Ozhiavnuna who displayed composure beyond his years to volley home, a superb finish from the 17-year-old. Wexford boss Elliott demands that his side play an attacking game and, to their credit, they stuck to their principles when possible given the stature of their opponents. Impressive teenager Kaylem Harnett did well to evade his marker and cross into the box on 17 minutes but Roberto Lopes got there before a Wexford player could and cleared the danger, while former Hoops man Aji Oluwabiyi also caused some nervous moments for the Rovers defence. Rovers responded by seeking the second goal which would have killed off the tie, John McGovern heading wide on 26 minutes from a cross by Ozhianvuna while a minute later Michael Noonan made it too easy for 'keeper Martin to make the save from a shot. Martin did well to block a goal-bound effort from Jack Byrne on 39 minutes while a Harnett effort for Wexford just before half-time was not enough to worry Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal. Wexford looked comfortable when in possession but without coming up with moments to cause McGinty bother, though the home side's defence remained on constant alert for the dangerous Oluwabiyi. ADVERTISEMENT Rovers found Martin in top form, the Wexford 'keeper saving well from Noonan two minutes after the restart after good work by McGovern; then it was McGovern's turn to test Martin. He was there again on 70 minutes, somehow keeping out a powerful header from Rory Gaffney, one of five subs called into action by Stephen Bradley at the same time, possibly the first time in league history here that a manager brought on five subs at the same time. And they did their work as Wexford tired. Nugent claimed another assist on 76 minutes to give Burke a simple tap-in, on 83 minutes a Dylan Watts corner came to Gaffney via Lee Grace for a point-blank finish. Then Mandroiu made it 4-0 in the 89th minute, Gaffney the provider as Mandroiu beat Martin with a classy strike as Rovers turn their focus to a European date in Gibraltar next week. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Lopes, Grace, C O'Sullian; Honohan (Watts 63), Nugent, O'Neill (Mandroiu 63), Ozhianvuna; Byrne (Healy 63), McGovern (Gaffney 63); Noonan (Burke 63). Wexford: Martin; McCarthy, Larkin, McCourt, Crawford (Browne 86); McCormack, Harnett (Haris 63), O'Brien (Levingston 83); Rowe, Dobbs (Wasileski 77), Oluwabiyi (Flynn 77).
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Bradley reveals what sets ‘student of the game' Keith Andrews apart after being appointed Brentford head coach
SHAMROCK ROVERS boss joked that match-winner Rory Gaffney was cursing him. With 65 minutes on the clock and the Hoops struggling against a stubborn spring Gaffney, 35, from the bench. Advertisement 2 Keith Andrews has been appointed Brentford head coach Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 2 Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley praised the decision Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Nine minutes later, the Galway native repaid his manager's faith when he tapped home from close range after Blues keeper Stephen McMullan failed to gather a stinging effort from Danny Mandroiu. That goal Bradley said: 'He should have started, I'm sure he feels the same. 'He was brilliant here against Cork City last Friday. Advertisement Read More on Shamrock Rovers 'He played 90 minutes so you leave him out of Monday's squad, obviously. 'I know he's really annoyed he doesn't start tonight and that's the hardest part of this job is leaving good people like that out of the squad, obviously good players, but good people too, out of the team and out of the squad and I knew he was annoyed, rightly so. But he's played at the level he's played at for such a long time because of his character and how professional he is and I knew once you call upon him, he'll be ready. And he was. 'I thought he played like he has done all year, to be fair, so I'm sure he's cursing me but he comes on and wins us the game.' The victory extended Rovers' lead at the top of the Premier Division from nine points before kick-off to 11 afterwards, thanks to Bohemians dropping two points at home against Sligo Rovers. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Done Deal Live Blog Bradley is glad his Hoops have a healthy lead at the summit as a hectic period of fixtures involving three competitions approaches. He said: 'We go to Europe so we're in a position that I would have taken your hand off for at the start of the year. Claudia Schiffer's film-maker husband in talks to buy stake in Brentford after supermodel seen at Premier League game 'It's important that you push as hard as you can coming into this period because you have a little break that allows you to focus fully on what's to come and you're not looking at what's around the corner. They were excellent tonight and it's a nice lead to have.' Bradley also praised his players for bouncing back from Monday's Dublin Derby defeat by the Gypsies that brought an end to an 11-game unbeaten run. Advertisement He said: 'The thing that disappointed me on Monday was not losing the game, but our performance. 'We've been that good this year, but we were miles off our levels and that's what annoyed us. 'You can win and lose games, that's football . It was more, just get back to our levels, get back to what we do. 'So if Waterford had left Tallaght with a draw, we can't complain about our performance, it was a really high level and you take that , but we don't accept Monday. Advertisement 'We asked the players to respond from Monday in terms of our performance levels and they did that. 'I thought they were excellent all over the pitch, in and out of possession, they showed a real hunger to get back to our levels and we get a really important win. 'So it wasn't about extending the lead, it was just about getting back to our performance levels and everything after that takes care of itself.' KEITH GOING On the same day Bradley's team stretched their lead in the top flight, a fellow Dubliner was handed the reins in the English Advertisement But the The 40-year-old said: 'I really, really hope he does well. I got to have a lot of discussions with him on tactics and football in general. You can see he is definitely a student of the game and he thinks about it. 'I'm absolutely delighted, a young Irish manager in the Premier League and I just really, really want it to go well for him. 'I texted him and I hope it goes really well. That's what we want, we want our managers managing at the highest level and in Advertisement 'I think 'The Sparta manager we played against last year, he was B team manager as well and was the next one to come in and then got the Sparta offer. They do that quite regularly. 'We had a really good relationship with Brentford technical director Rob Rowan, who sadly passed away a few years back, and he was the one who set all that in motion and they have stuck to their plan. If Brentford have given Keith that job, they've given it to him because they really believe in what he does and how he does it. 'They don't look to me like a club that makes rash decisions. They buy well, they sell well, they recruit good players, they recruit good managers and coaches. Advertisement 'They have made this decision with their eyes open and that should fill you with confidence if you're Keith. 'They have obviously seen something they really, really like, which is good.'
Irish Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers gain ground on challengers with 1-0 win over Waterford
League of Ireland: Shamrock Rovers 1 (Gaffney 74) Waterford 0 Shamrock Rovers extended their lead at the top of the League of Ireland to 11 points after battling to a 1-0 home win over Waterford . The deadlock was broken by a tap-in from veteran Rovers striker Rory Gaffney, after a long-range shot slipped out of goalkeeper Stephen McMullan's hands in the 74th minute. Although an entertaining game, both sides played with three centre backs and defences dominated as clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Gaffney appearance off the bench on 65 minutes proved critical, providing the only goal of the evening. The first glimpse of action came in the fourth minute when a ball over the top found Tommy Lonergan in space, but the angle was too tight for Padraig Amond to finish. READ MORE In the fifth minute some clever Rovers interplay set Graham Burke free on the left flank, and his cross found Danny Grant at the far post. Despite having plenty of time to get the shot off, Grant's close-range effort hit the post. Rovers dictated the early goings, with Danny Mandriou and Burke getting on the ball and looking to find runners in behind. Wing backs Grant and Josh Honohan were constantly looking beyond the Waterford defence. The visitors started to liven up then, with midfielder Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka drawing a fine save from Edward McGinty, and Honohan did well to stop Padraig Amond getting to the rebound. At the other end, Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan produced a brilliant save of his own, tipping a curling effort from Honohan just around the post. Rory Gaffney in action for Shamrock Rovers. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho In the 25th minute Burke was fouled on the edge of the box. He rolled the free off to Mandriou, who blazed his effort over the bar. Olayinka again stung McGinty's gloves, this time with a long range effort, after beating his man with a graceful turn. Neither side could take control of the rhythm of the game for very long and soon Lonergan found himself in behind for Waterford's clearest chance of the half, but McGinty did well to prevent the ball going under him, saving the shot with his foot. At half-time, Rovers' patient build-up had given them most of the possession, although their attack was lacking incision. John Coleman's side on the other hand would have been happy to have played their way into the game after a quiet start. The small pocket of Waterford fans in Tallaght Stadium would have had their hearts in their mouths when Noonan applied pressure to McMullan, but the goalkeeper just managed to poke the ball away from the striker. Rovers and Waterford both had half-chances early in the second half. Most of Rovers' good play came through Burke, who set up Watts and Honohan for shots at goal, before coming off for Jack Byrne in the 65th minute. The hosts started to pile on the pressure from there, putting on another striker in Rory Gaffney, who could have put his side ahead but for some fantastic defending by Boyle, blocking a goal-bound effort. Only minutes later though, Gaffney did put Rovers into the lead. Danny Mandriou had a pop from distance which McMullan spilt badly, and the striker tucked the rebound into the net. Substitute Maxim Kovaleskis was a bright spark on the right wing, the 17-year-old setting up Gaffney for another chance. Although Waterford pushed for an equaliser late on, they could not create a clear opportunity. The result sees the Hoops extend their lead at the top of the table after second-place Bohemians drew with Sligo Rovers. The result at Dalymount saw Sligo gain a point on Waterford in eighth, eight points above the relegation play-off spot. SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty, Grant (Kovaleskis, 76), Lopes, Grace, Cleary, Honohan, Healy, Watts (Gaffney, 65), Mandriou (89), Burke (Byrne, 65), Noonan (O'Neill, 88). WATERFORD: McMullan, Horton, Burke (Coyle, 80), Boyle, Leahy, Dempsey (White, 71), McDonald (McMenamy, 68), Glenfield, Olayinka, Lonergan, Amond. Referee: Paul Norton. Attendance: 4,014.
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Gaffney the hero as Shamrock Rovers extend lead at summit
Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers 1 Waterford 0 Supersub Rory Gaffney proved the hero as he was in the right place at the right time to notch a valuable winner and extend his side 11-point clear at the summit. Rovers could have been in front within the first five minutes when Graham Burke stood up an inviting cross to the back post that found Danny Grant. The wingback, under some pressure, showed good composure to chest the ball down but saw his low strike somehow hit the foot of the near post before rolling across goal and eventually cleared. Waterford's Jesse Demspey found some space down the left and smartly teed up James Olayinka, who burst forward from midfield and saw his sweeping strike was sharply turned away by Ed McGinty. Both sides started to sense blood as the game began to open, with chances coming at both ends. Firstly, Josh Honohan cut inside from the left, and bent a lovely effort to the far post but was denied by Stephen McMullan at full stretch. The visitors went straight down the other end and Olayinka turned two men before unleashing a powerful effort straight into McGinty's midriff. Waterford then spurned one of the clearest openings of the evening when Tommy Lonergan got in behind the Rovers rearguard and looked to be in on goal. On the cover, Dan Cleary forced the front man slightly wide, leaving Padraig Amond free in the process, but his strike partner selfishly went for goal with the angle against him and shot straight at McGinty. The hosts continued to be patient in their search to break the deadlock but were met by a well-organized sea of blue. The introduction of two former PFAI award winners in Jack Byrne and Rory Gaffney showed the strength in depth at the disposal of the Bradley and lifted the crowd in the process. The 35-year-old Gaffney reacted quickest to a spill by McMullan - who had initially failed to hold a stinging Danny Mandroiu strike from 25-yards, and tapped home with just 15 minutes remaining. Rovers pushed for a second and fellow substitute Maxim Kovalevskis showed great feet to cut inside and square to Gaffney, but he saw his thunderous effort bravely blocked. Rovers saw out the remaining minutes in what could prove a pivotal victory in the title race as his side's attention now turns to both another European adventure and the start of an FAI Cup tilt. Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Danny Grant (Maxim Kovalevskis, 76'), Dylan Watts (Rory Gaffney, 65'), Matt Healy, Danny Madroiu (Darragh Nugent, 87'), Josh Honohan; Graham Burke (Jack Byrne, 65'), Michael Noonan (Gary O'Neill, 87'). Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy, Ryan Burke (Trae Bailey Coyle, 80'); Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald (Dean McMenamy, 69'), Sam Glenfield, James Olayinka, Jesse Dempsey (Kyle White, 71'): Tommy Lonergan, Padraig Amond. Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin).
Irish Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians in ominous form before crucial showdown - what we learned from Friday's League of Ireland fixtures
Shamrock Rovers a cut above Cork City ... and probably over everyone else too Coming into the season, off the back of a title race that encompassed half the league, there was a romantic feeling of unpredictability about the Premier Division. Perhaps the table would be a fluid entity – in a constant state of flux, with positions temporary, ensuring unpredictability until the end. Unfortunately, despite a bunched-up middle pack, the gaps at the top and bottom are growing, emphasised by Shamrock Rovers ' blunt dismissal of Cork City on Friday night. Michael Noonan's athletic gifts have been evident from his earliest moments on League of Ireland pitches but, week on week, his tact and instincts are sharpening too. The game against Cork brought some of his finest moments to date. He twisted evasively in the box and finish neatly for his first goal before showing his pace and composure with a confident second. Despite Jack Byrne watching from the bench, Rovers added another set-piece goal to their growing catalogue through Pico Lopes. Rory Gaffney, who seems a helpful mentor for Noonan, slotted a deserved fourth. Cork City pulled a nice goal back through Alex Nolan and could have scored more with plenty of bright patterns in possession. At no point was the result in doubt though – the Leesiders' naivety in defence is a problem Ger Nash is yet to solve. READ MORE Thirty-two points now separate these two sides. Rovers have a heady gap of 11 to their nearest challengers, and a victory away at Bohemians on Monday would have many arguing the race is over. Galway United are going places directly If you were being harsh on Galway United , you could call their victory on Friday night a tale of two goalkeepers. Evan Watts, who may have fully displaced veteran Brendan Clarke, was outstanding between the home side's posts, producing showstopping, clawed saves to deny Mason Melia, Brandon Kavanagh and Seán Hoare at crucial moments. He even claimed a remarkable assist for Ed McCarthy's early opener, landing it on the Limerick man's toe from all of 80 yards. McCarthy, for his part, swivelled brilliantly and found the corner in one smooth motion. At the other end, the usually reliable Joseph Anang was at far from his best. Way out of his goal for Galway's second, he misjudged a corner kick for their decisive third, beaten too easily in the air by Rob Slevin. This alone does not explain Galway' scoring three goals for the first time in a game this season. Direct football is sacrosanct for John Caulfield, and when Galway attack with this considered intensity, they are a challenge for anyone. Though Anang was to blame, David Hurley's goal to double the lead was spectacular – showing opportunistic ruthlessness as the goalkeeper's loose pass bounced his way, Hurley lashed the ball from well inside his own half towards the vacant Pat's net. A strike measured to perfection, it exemplified the quality in a Galway side mainly known for their work rate. A Connacht derby win on Monday would have them right back in the mix for European places. Drogheda stay on track despite European expulsion It is an emotional time at Drogheda United , evidenced by Kevin Doherty's deflated post-match interview last Monday moments after a frustrating defeat at Shamrock Rovers, in a game scheduled to accommodate a phantom European fixture. There has been so much to like about Doherty's side this year. Second in the table on merit, they are a gritty, determined defensive unit with sharp transitional weapons in attack. Their winning goal over Sligo Rovers on Friday night came from one such transition. Warren Davis went foraging deep in midfield and broke away cleanly with the ball at his feet. His pass to strike partner Douglas James-Taylor was simple and the resulting finish was sublime, curled expertly into the top corner. James-Taylor may be leaving very soon, with his loan spell drawing to an end and no extension agreed. It would be another setback, but only the sort that comes with the territory for Drogheda. Doherty will hope that European expulsion galvanises his overachieving troops. Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty celebrates with Douglas James-Taylor after the win against Sligo Rovers. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Bohemians miss Seán Grehan already Seán Grehan returned to his parent club Crystal Palace this week after a colossal half-season in the centre of Bohemians' defence, and his absence was felt in a damaging defeat at Waterford. Though the Gypsies have grown more cohesive and settled in recent months, there were some unwanted reminders of the frailties they showed earlier in the season. Leigh Kavanagh's clumsy challenge on half-time allowed Pádraig Amond to convert from the spot. Seconds later, Kavanagh's miscontrol on the edge of his own box allowed Conan Noonan to steal in and finish beautifully on his left. Dawson Devoy, who may be Bohemians' best player this season, got his side back into it in the second half but the deficit proved insurmountable. It was a big victory for Waterford – their first in five games – and Alan Reynolds will be hoping it is not a sign of things to come for Bohs. Michael Duffy can make the difference in tight games Often, the key moments that separate evenly matched sides are either the product of real quality or an untimely error. For Derry City, 54 minutes into their game against Shelbourne on Friday night , it was very much the former. At one end, Evan Caffrey couldn't quite loop his half-volley over a retreating Sam Todd, covering for the stranded Brian Maher who had failed to sweep up a long ball behind his defence. It proved to be a sliding-doors moment as Derry piled forward and laid the ball out wide. Michael Duffy, one of the league's finest players this season, picked it up with very little to aim for. Edging forward and shimmying suddenly inside, Duffy ripped a ferocious left-footed strike high into top corner, far out of Conor Kearns's reach. His seventh goal of a talismanic season, it was a fitting way to settle a cagey game.
