December 2007 News Archive

Nominations for 18th FAI International Awards…20/12/2007
The Football Association of Ireland, in conjunction with sponsors eircom, today announced the nominations for the 18th eircom/FAI International Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 3 February 2008 at the CityWest Hotel. RTE 2 will provide live coverage of the presentations from 8.00pm.
Four Clubs accepted for new 'A' Championship…20/12/2007
The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that, Mervue United, Salthill Devon, Sporting Fingal and Tullamore Town have been admittred to the new 'A' Championship which will form the third layer of the eircom League of Ireland. The new League will also contain the reserve teams of all Premier Division clubs and carry a €20,000 prize for the winners. The opportunity of promotion to the First Division will be available to the above four clubs, should they finish in a top four position within the new league.
eircom/SWAI Personality of the Year Nominees …20/12/2007
The nominations for the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Personality of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards have been announced.
Irish Referees receive 2008 FIFA Badges…20/12/2007
Six Irish Referees, Anthony Buttimer, Rhona Daly, Alan Kelly, Hilda McDermott, David McKeon and Ian Stokes have been awarded FIFA Badges for 2008. In addition, eleven Assistant Referees have been awarded 2008 FIFA Badges. They are, Paula Brady, Ciaran Delaney, Marc Douglas, Ken Hennessy, Aisling Looney, Allen Lynch, Barry McDonnell, Celine McGowan, Damien McGrath, Martin Moloney and David Wogan.
St Kevin's Boys continue title challenge…16/12/2007
St Kevin's Boys Under 15 Premier side maintained their challenge for the DDSL League Championship with a resounding 6-1 defeat of Shelbourne in the AUL Complex this morning. Robbie Brady and Eoin Wearen both scored twice and they were joined on the brace of goals mark by centre back Pete Dooley who joined the Club at the start of the season and hails from Monaghan.
RISSC go down in battling display…16/12/2007
The RISSC (London) football team put in a battling performance despite losing 2-0 to defending APFSCIL League Champions Norwich City SC this afternoon. RISSC conceded both goals during the first half but fought back to control large passages of play without any luck in front of goal. Debutant centre back Chris Coleman gave a storming display while veterens Jon Carey and Paddy McGee rolled back the years with resilient showings.
Favourites to meet in Under 15 SFAI Evans Cup…12/12/2007
The draw for the round of 32 at Under 15 level in the SFAI National Evans Cup has paired two of the favourites, the RISSC (London) sponsored Premier Division St Kevin's Boys and Cherry Orchard against each other. The other joint favourites Belvedere, meet South East qualifiers Freebooters, while the St Kevin's Boys Major side, who defeated Premier Division Shelbourne in the last round, will travel to meet North Leinster team Ratoath Harps.
Under 17 Women face France in UEFA second stage…11/12/2007
The draw for the second qualifying stage of the 2007/2008 UEFA European Women's Under 17 Championship in Nyon this morning, saw Ireland drawn in Group 2 with France (hosts) and Norway, two of the strongest nations in women's football, while near neighbours Scotland make up the four team group. The group winner only, will qualify for the finals which carries the added incentive of a possible place at the inaugural FIFA World Championship finals in New Zealand next year.
Serbia to play at Croke Park in May 2008…11/12/2007
The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that Serbia will be the visitors to Croke Park on Saturday 24 May 2008 for next year's second home friendly fixture, following the visit of Brazil on Wednesday 6 February 2008.
Huge second stage challenge for Under 19 Women…11/12/2007
The Sue Ronan managed Republic of Ireland Under 19 Women's side will meet Holland, Serbia and Spain (hosts) in a very challenging Group 6 in the second qualifying stage of the 2007/08 UEFA European Women's U19 Championship. The six group stage will see the winners together with the two best runners-up progress to the Finals next July.
Draw for 2008/09 UEFA Women's U19 Championship…11/12/2007
The draw for the first qualifying phase of the Under 19 UEFA European Women's Championship was made this morning. Ireland will meet Greece, Iceland and host nation Israel in an eleven group series which will see the winners and runners-up in each group progress to the next stage.
Draw for 2008/09 UEFA Women's U17 Championship…11/12/2007
The draw for the first qualifying phase of the Under 17 UEFA European Women's Championship was made this morning. Ireland will play the Faroe Islands, Holland and hosts Turkey in a ten group series which will see the winners together with the six best runners-up progress to the next stage.
Under 16s earn deserved draw with France...06/12/2007
The Republic of Ireland Under 16 side played out a scoreless draw with hosts France in this afternoon's friendly international. Ireland gave a much improved performance from their defeat on Tuesday afternoon and were unlucky not to secure victory. Manager Vincent Butler expressed satisfaction with today's performance and his squad will continue their development programme when they travel to Israel for another double header early next year.
Ray Houghton appointed to Recruitment Panel…05/12/2007
The Board of Management of the Football Association of Ireland has appointed 73 times capped Ray Houghton to join Don Givens and Don Howe on the panel charged with selecting the next Republic of Ireland manager.
Noel Mooney - guest speaker at December Meeting...04/12/2007
Former Limerick, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Noel Mooney is the new FAI National Co-ordinator of the Club Promotion Officers Programme and will be the guest speaker at the RISSC (London) Club meeting of Friday 7 December 2007. The League of Ireland has come much into focus in recent times following the success of players such as Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Daryl Murphy. The recent 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the UEFA approved Under 23 International Tournament suggests that continued progress is being made and Noel's presentation will provide further insight into developments relating to the League.
Under 16s go down to defeat in France...04/12/2007
The Republic of Ireland Under 16 side suffered a 3-0 defeat by hosts France in this afternoon's friendly international. Ireland went behind to a penalty as half-time approached and then conceded twice in the space of five minutes mid-way through the second half. Conor Murphy had a late penalty saved by the French goalkeeper. The sides meet again on Thursday afternoon.
Cork City win FAI Ford Cup …02/12/2007
Cork City were deserved 1-0 victors over Longford Town in this afternoon's FAI Ford Cup Final. The winning goal came on 59 minutes with a diving Denis Behan header from a John O'Flynn cross. Horrible weather conditions resticted both sides but the greater quality of the 'Leesiders' showed in the second half and they now go forward to the 2008 UEFA Cup and will also contest next year's Setanta Sports Cup.