Latest news with #ex-Shelbourne
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
First Division: Dundalk down Cobh Ramblers to get back on track
Dundalk opened up a four-point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division table as Gbemi Arubi's third goal of the season proved decisive in securing a third win of the campaign against Cobh Ramblers at Oriel Park. Ciarán Kilduff's side came into the game on the back of their first defeat of the season away to Finn Harps on Monday, knowing that a win for the Cork outfit would see them knocked off the summit. However, a stunning bicycle kick from Arubi – back in the side after four weeks out injured – proved the difference as the Lilywhites claimed what could be a huge result in their pursuit of an immediate return to the top flight. Mick McDermott's side are by no means out of the running but a third straight defeat against their nearest challengers was damaging, with added salt rubbed in the wounds by the late dismissal of Cian Coleman. Kilduff had asked for a response from his side in Harps defeat on Monday and he certainly got it with Arubi opening the scoring with a scream after just 13 minutes. Cobh failed to deal with Luke Mulligan's cross from the right with the ball helped down out of the air by Dean Ebbe before Eoin Kenny's attempt to control saw it break for the ex-Shelbourne player to send a superb bicycle kick past Timo Martin having reacted quicker than Jonas Hakkinen. Mulligan then had a long range effort drift to the right and wide before Arubi was denied a second on 21 minutes when his close range effort was saved by Martin after Vinnie Leonard had kept Sean Keogh's deep free kick alive at the back post. Cobh then had what proved to be their only attempt of the half a minute later when Barry Coffey slipped Cian Murphy in only for the striker to be denied by the alert Enda Minogue, who was quick off his line to block. The hosts then almost doubled their lead on 33 minutes when Horgan beat Hakkinen on the left before standing up a cross to the back post that left Martin floundering only to drift wide with Ebbe unable to get a touch as he flung himself towards the ball. Arubi and Keogh then both had long range efforts before the break with the first saved by Martin before the latter drifted just over. The visitors did have a half chance within three minutes of the restart when Coffey found space on the left but his effort was deflected tamely into the arms of Minogue. Dundalk then should have doubled their lead on 50 minutes when Horgan beat Hakkinen on the left before squaring to Ebbe for what should have been a simple tap-in but he got his angles all wrong and screwed a shot well wide. Cobh then had a big chance of their own two minutes later when Coffey released Murphy in behind Leonard but his toe-poked effort was blocked by Minogue before the defender scrambled it clear. Hakkinen then had a deep cross touched over by Minogue at full stretch on 61 minutes before Coffey headed over from Luka Le Bervet's cross two minutes later. The Louth men were next to threaten on 70 minutes when Arubi beat both Niall O'Keeffe and Shane Griffin to get a shot away which drifted just to the left and wide. Substitute Andy Paraschiv then volleyed just wide on 75 minutes before forcing a save from Martin with a shot from just outside the box moments later. Kenny then had a great chance to wrap things up five minutes from time when he was released by Leonard but after cutting inside Coleman, his left foot shot was easily saved by Martin. The Luxembourger then kept his side in it with a big stop on 91 minutes to turn Horgan's shot out for a corner after he had been slipped in by Arubi. Cobh's evening then took a turn for the worst two minutes later when Coleman was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a foul on Aodh Dervin. That allowed Dundalk to run down the clock to secure what could be a huge result in the First Division title race. Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan (Sean McHale 71), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin, Keith Ward (Andy Paraschiv 59); Eoin Kenny, Dean Ebbe (Harry Groome 59), Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi. Cobh Ramblers: Timo Martin; Jonas Hakkinen, Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin, Luka Le Bervet (John O'Donovan 86); Niall O'Keeffe (Jason Abbott 71) Dale Holland (Sam Bellis 65); Matthew Whelan, Barry Coffey, Shane Griffin; Cian Murphy (Brendan Frahill 86).
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Bradley and Alan Reynolds speak out on Damien Duff's dramatic departure from Shelbourne
STEPHEN BRADLEY said he has not tried to contact Damien Duff since his shock resignation - and if they do speak, it will remain private. The Shamrock Rovers boss and ex-Shelbourne gaffer, Advertisement 3 The Ireland legend had been in charge at Tolka Park since November 2021 3 Bradley took the high road when asked about Duff's departure 3 So too did Alan Reynolds in spite of their previous clashes But Bradley insisted that any He said: 'That's between me and Damien. When we were in it, it's about he will do everything to win for his team and I will do everything to win for my team. 'And that will never change. There was lots in it, but that's not for me to talk about right now. 'I am sad to see him leave Shelbourne and the league as a whole. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football "He's obviously a very good manager and coach, he's a good person and he is and was very, very good for the league. 'Sad to see him go and hopefully he comes back in the league at some point. "Look, I'm sure he has his reasons for making the decision, you've got to respect that.' Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds - who also Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Reynolds said: 'I don't know the ins and outs of it but I'm disappointed. "He's been fantastic for the league, to go win a title after only a few years as new manager. Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal 'I don't think people realise the pressure of managing. It's 24/7. You go away from the ground losing a game and there's no feeling like it. 'You try to describe to people how you've put in some much, it's 24/7 all of the time and it has an effect. Advertisement 'I'm just disappointed because I thought he was fantastic for the league and he's a good manager. 'We have had our different views and not a great relationship. We don't know each other but I'd still admire him from a distance.'
RTÉ News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'I'm sad to see him leave' - Stephen Bradley on Damien Duff's departure from Shelbourne
Stephen Bradley endured another trying night against Bohemians on Monday, but in the immediate aftermath of the Gypsies' 2-0 win at Dalymount Park, the Shamrock Rovers manager was magnanimous in his praise of the opposition and also of another former rival in the form of ex-Shelbourne boss Damien Duff. Under Duff, Shels derailed Rovers' five-in-a-row quest for league honours last season, with growing enmity evident between to dueling managers. However, Bradley echoed the sentiments of many – including Bohs manager Alan Reynolds – in lamenting Duff's departure from the League of Ireland, recognising the increased exposure on the domestic game that was a feature of the former Republic of Ireland star's tenure at Tolka Park. "I'm sad to see him leave Shelbourne, and the league as a whole," Bradley told RTÉ Sport. "He's obviously a very good manager and coach. He's a good person and he is and was very, very good for the league. "I'm sad to see him go and hopefully he's back in the league at some point. "But I'm sure he has his reasons for making his decision and you've got to respect that." Bohs have racked up three wins in as many games against the league leaders this season, with the hoodoo one that extends from the last campaign. Rovers, who saw their lead at the summit reduced to nine points, have now a solitary win to show from their last six encounters against their most bitter rivals. Bradley had no complaints about the result, if not the performance, and admitted: "First half, we were miles off the game. We were a million miles off what's required in any game, but particularly this type of game. "As a result, they were two up and possibly could have been three or four up to be honest, we were that far off the level. "That's football and that's Dublin derbies. "There are lots of aspects we have to try and understand in why we were so far off it in the first half. "You've got to credit Bohs. They were good, but we were a million miles off the game in every aspect and in every way." Bohs boss Reynolds highlighted the demands Duff will not now face after walking from the league champions, and said: "I'm disappointed because I think he's fantastic for the league. "I don't think people understand or realise the pressure of management. "It's 24/7. You go away from the ground when you lose a game and there's no feeling like it. "You try to describe it to people, you put in so much, it's 24/7 all the time and it has an effect." Bohs played with a tempo that Rovers couldn't live with on the night, in stark contrast to their listless display in a 2-1 defeat against Waterford just three days earlier. "We were hurting from Friday," Reynolds admitted. "We felt we didn't turn up, but we're super-fit and we're really aggressive without the ball. "We feel we need to be like that against everyone at Dalymount, but especially Shamrock Rovers, because if you give them time they'll hurt you. "You could see our press without the ball was outstanding, but there wasn't any lack of quality when we had it as well.
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Quick-fire goals from Kian Leavy and Zach Elbouzedi boost St Pat's title hopes as Stephen Kenny's men beat Galway Utd
ST PAT'S got their title hopes rolling again despite losing an Axel. Axel Sjoberg was sent off for two fouls on Bobby Burns in a second half in which they were on the back foot for the majority. 2 St Patrick's Athletic beat Galway Utd Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 2 Pat's lost Axel Sjoberg to a red card Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile But two goals in six first-half minutes from Kian Leavy and Zach Elbouzedi had put them in control and, unlike a week earlier, they were able to withstand a fightback from their opponents. The fiery contest saw both managers Galway assistant Ollie Horgan, booked, as well as the eight yellow cards issued to players, two of them to Sjoberg. St Pat's were boosted by the return of top scorer Aidan Keena from a hamstring injury after a seven-week lay-off as they chased their first home win since then, having been held by both Shelbourne and But the more painful Dublin derby had come a week previously when they led 1-0 against Bohemians going into the final minute at Dalymount Park. Read More on League of Ireland That was, according to Kenny, that had happened to him in a league match, although he did allude to Ireland manager. His mood had not lifted by the time he got around to penning his programme notes in which he wrote 'The pain of that resonates and infiltrates your system and leaves you in a cave where light doesn't exist.' The early stages mainly featured players trying their luck from distance to no great effect. Moses Dyer fired straight into the hands of Joseph Anang after being teed up by Garry Buckley and Patrick Hickey when Stephen Walsh was free. Most read in Football At the other end, Keena sent an effort well wide whilst Brendan Clarke comfortably dealt with Jamie Lennon's attempt and, later, Leavy cut in and fired over. St Pat's were the better team and it opened up for them when Joe Redmond got away from Buckley. He played a weighted pass in towards the near post but Rob Slevin got there ahead of Keena. Travis Kelce looks unrecognizable as NFL legend spotted in NYC photoshoot near Taylor Swift's apartment Mason Melia was also off-target with a header after he climbed above Jeannot Esua but, for all that, Galway should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark. Esua got to the byline and pulled the ball back with Dyer who appeared to have a whole goal to aim for. There was a premature scream of celebration from the visitors' bench as Dyer did not connect properly with the ball which allowed Anang to react and gather. St Pat's made the most of the let-off as, instead of falling behind, they were ahead within three minutes. Leavy played a neat one-two with Keena who managed to get the ball back to him despite losing his footing. The ex-Shelbourne player was pushed wide but he still managed to get his shot on target which Clarke got a foot too but was unable to keep it out. Before the game restarted, Galway made a change with Sean Kerrigan sent on in place of Walsh but it did not stem the tide and they were 2-0 down by the break. In the 39th minute, Melia played in Elbouzedi who let fly. His shot was on target but it took a deflection off Slevin which made it impossible for Clarke to keep out. SECOND WIND Whatever Caulfield said at half-time prompted a big response from Galway who had a number of good opportunities shortly after the restart. Dyer skipped past Sean Hoare and Lennon with the midfielder resorting to pulling him down at the expense of a free-kick and a yellow card. Cian Byrne almost exacted more punishment from the set-piece with his shot rattling the crossbar. Shortly afterwards, Hickey played in Dyer but, again, the New Zealand international lacked the ruthlessness he had shown in previous games and the danger passed. Caulfield and his assistant Horgan were both booked in the aftermath of a high and late challenge by Sjoberg - who himself was cautioned - on Bobby Burns. The game then threatened to boil over as David Hurley went in hard on Forrester who then had words with Burns which prompted him to shove the St Pat's midfielder in the chest which was not seen by referee Rob Harvey. And, in the 70th minute, Sjoberg was dismissed when he received a second yellow after pulling back Burns. That prompted a reshuffle with defender Ryan McLaughlin brought on for Elbouzedi with Kenny having already introduced pacey winger Simon Power for the tiring Keena. St Pat's were, not unexpectedly, under the cosh with Slevin curling a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box before Dyer headed over from a corner with Anang doing well to deny David Hurley but they held on. SUN STAR MAN: Kian Leavy (St Pat's) ST PAT'S: Anang 8; Sjoberg 5, Redmond 7, Hoare 7, Kazeem 6 (Turner 79, 4); Elbouzedi 7 (McLaughlin 70, 6), Forrester 7, Lennon 7, Leavy 8; Melia 7 (Carty 79, 4), Keena 7 (Power 55, 5). GALWAY UNITED: Clarke 6; Buckley 6 (Tollett 86, 4), Brouder 6, Slevin 6; Esua 6, Byrne 7 (McCormack 90, 3), Hurley 7, Burns 6; Hickey 6; Walsh 6 (Kerrigan 33, 5 (Wilson 90, 3)), Dyer 6. REFEREE: R Harvey (Dublin) 6
