June 2006
Eircom League clubs agree FAI merger…30/06/2006
At a special general meeting called for the purpose, the Eircom League clubs have voted to merge with the FAI. This will result in fundamental changes to the governance and structure of the League. Subject to ratification at an EGM of the Association in September, the new 4 tier Eircom League will be run by the FAI from season 2007 onwards...More>
Favourites to face each other…28/06/2006
Eircom Premier League giants Shelbourne and Derry City have been drawn to meet each other in the third round of the FAI Carlsberg Cup. The stand out tie will take place in Tolka Park at the end of August. The draw, which was supervised by Bobby Robson, also sees the last remaining non-league side Killester United receive a home fixture against northside rivals Dublin City...Full Draw>
Shelbourne climb to top…27/06/2006
There was a full set of Eircom Premier League fixtures played on Monday and Tuesday this week. Fresh from their Intertoto Cup success, Shelbourne climbed to the top of the League with a comprehensive 3 nil victory over Dublin rivals St Patricks Athletic. Drogheda United recovered from a two goal deficit at home to Dublin City to garner a valuable point while Cork City were held to a scoreless draw by Bohemians in Dalymount Park. High flying Derry City were brought crashing to earth by Sligo Rovers who secured a 3-1 success in the Showgrounds. In the other two fixtures, there were home wins for Longford Town and UCD with 1-0 and 2-1 results over Bray Wanderers and Waterford United respectively.
Shelbourne through to next round…24/06/2006
Two goals from Jason Byrne helped Shelbourne to a comfortable 4 nil second leg Intertoto Cup victory over FK Vetra of Lithuania in Tolka Park. Glen Crowe and Bobby Ryan were the other goalscorers. Shelbourne will now meet OB Odense of Denmark in the next round on the first and second weekends of July.
UEFA draws dictate Irish itineraries…23/06/2006
Eircom League champions Cork City have been drawn against Cypriot champions Apollon Limassol in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. The winners will play Crvena Zvezda formerly Red Star Belgrade in the second round. In the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, Derry City will face IFK Goteborg of Sweden while Drogheda United will meet HJK Helsinki of Finland.
Valiant effort from Irish women…18/06/2006
The Republic of Ireland women’s team put in a battling World Cup qualifying performance against an excellent Russia, in Richmond Park on Saturday evening. A goal in each half led to defeat but manager Noel King was pleased with the spirited display of his team. The players will have learned a lot from their formidable opponents which should stand them in good stead in the future.
Shelbourne score away success in Europe…18/06/2006
A Sean Dillon header, from a cross by Bobby Ryan, gave Shelbourne a valuable away victory in their first round, first leg Intertoto Cup venture. The defeat of FK Vetra in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius puts Shelbourne in a strong position for the second leg at Tolka Park next Saturday. The victors will face Danish opponents, OB Odense in the second round.
St Kevin’s boys star in DDSL success…17/06/2006
The DDSL won the prestigious Kennedy Cup competition played in the grounds of Limerick University last week. This national competition for the U13 age group has been the breeding ground for the successful careers of many Irish International Players. The DDSL squad contained six players from the successful St Kevin’s team sponsored by RISSC (London). A seventh player, Conor Carberry, was sadly forced to withdraw through injury. The DDSL won all of their six matches played over a five day period with St Kevin’s strikers Robert Brady and Conor Murphy contributing four and five goals respectively. St Kevin’s were also represented by Ryan Kinsella, Jeff Hendrick, Anthony Bolger and Eoin Wearen.
RISSC Members return from Azerbaijan adventure…17/06/2006
Club members, Diana Balzsai, Gerry Cullen and Tony Fitzpatrick ventured over to Baku recently to watch the European U21 Championship first leg play-off qualifier against Azerbaijan. This is a brief outline of their journey... More>
Success for Amateurs in San Marino…10/06/2006
Gerry Smith’s Republic of Ireland Amateur team travelled to San Marino and scored a fine 3 nil victory over the hosts on Saturday evening. This was the final friendly fixture played over three successive weekends in preparation for the Group Stage of the UEFA Regions Cup. Manager Smith expressed his satisfaction with the attitude and performance of his squad of players over the three successful games. The squad now look forward to the challenge which awaits them in France later this year.
Butler's Boys bow out on a high…03/06/2006
Vincent Butler's Republic of Ireland Under 15 squad completed their season in style with a double success in the Celtic Tri Nations Tournament. Ireland won both the 'A' and 'B' sections of the competition played this weekend in Aberystwyth, West Wales. The ‘B’ team opened the tournament with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Northern Ireland 'B' and followed that with a 2 all draw against Wales 'B'. The 'A' team played out a scoreless draw with the ‘A’ team from the North while a Mark Power penalty proved decisive in the 1 nil victory over the hosts 'A' team.
Ireland Amateurs overcome Spain…03/06/2006
Gerry Smith's Republic of Ireland amateur team continued their preparation for the UEFA Regions Cup with a sparkling 3 nil victory over current European Champions Spain at Tolka Park this afternoon. A brace of goals from John O'Neill together with a Stephen Ryan effort put the Irish players and manager Smith in good spirits for their final preparatory game in San Marino before they travel to France later this year for their qualifying group fixtures.