July 2006
Green light for Lansdowne…31/07/2006
The development of Lansdowne Road moved a step closer this evening when Dublin City Council granted the project planning permission subject to 28 clauses. It is not believed that the clauses will prove a significant stumbling block to the project and the Development Company is now expected to proceed to the next stage.
UEFA draws made in Nyon…28/07/2006
The draws for the next round of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup were made in Switzerland today. In the UEFA Cup, Derry City will meet Scottish First Division club Gretna while Drogheda United have been drawn against Norwegian side IK Start. Both Irish sides will travel in the first legs to be played on Thursday 10 August 2006 with the second legs on Thursday 24 August 2006. Should Cork City overcome their 1 nil deficit against Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade they will face AC Milan in the next round.
Derry and Drogheda complete UEFA double…28/07/2006
Derry City and Drogheda United upheld the honour of the Eircom League in sterling fashion when both sides qualified for the next round of the UEFA Cup. Derry built on their magnificent 1 nil away victory in Gothenberg by repeating the score at the Brandywell for a 2 nil aggregate success. Drogheda meanwhile entered their tie with HJK Helsinki on level 1 all terms after the first leg. Despite conceding a goal very much against the run of play, Drogheda retained their composure and equalised to take the game into extra-time. In the added period, Drogheda scored twice without reply to secure an aggregate 4-2 victory.
RISSC Presentation and Social night
The club recently held a social and football awards presentation night in the Crown Moran Hotel which many of those in attendance reported as a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Gerry Smith, the Republic of Ireland Amateur International Team Manager was the Guest of Honour at the event...More>
Ireland CP team finish fourth…28/07/2006
The Republic of Ireland team finished fourth in the Cerebral Palsy European Championships played at the UCD Sports Campus over the past week. Ireland suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Holland in the third place play-off game on Friday afternoon. A goal with 20 seconds remaining on the clock gave the Dutch a 2-1 victory. Ireland gave an excellent performance and came close to securing victory on three occasions before the tragedy of the final seconds.
Cork City come a cropper at home…26/07/2006
Cork City stumbled to a 1 nil home defeat in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier tonight. A full house in Turners Cross witnessed a stubborn performance from City against Crvena Zvezda (formerly Red Star Belgrade) but the Serbian side had just too much experience and guile for an under strength home team. The only goal of the match came seven minutes from half time when a corner was deflected into his own net by young Cork striker Denis Behan. Cork City now have the proverbial mountain to climb when they travel to Belgrade for the second leg.
Ireland in CP European third place play-off…26/07/2006
Ireland will face Holland in the third place play-off at the Cerebral Palsy European Championships with the winner qualifying for the World Paralympics in Bejing next year. Following an opening day 3 nil defeat by reigning World Champions Ukraine, the Irish team recovered splendidly and scored successive victories over Scotland and Spain to finish as Group ‘A’ runners-up. Ireland met world number 2 ranked Russia in the semi-final and despite their best endeavours went down to a 5-1 defeat. The third place play-off will take place at the Belfield Bowl on Friday afternoon at 3.00pm and will be followed by the final featuring Russia and Ukraine at 5.00pm.
Cork City clear Cypriot hurdle in Champions League…19/07/2006
Cork City travelled to Cyprus with a slender one goal lead from the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. Five minutes into the second half the lead was gone when Apollon Limassol scored to level the aggregate scores. Cork showed character and resilience to obtain the equaliser on the night, through a Dan Murray header, and progress to the next round where they will meet the former Red Star Belgrade. The first leg will take place in Turners Cross next Wednesday evening, 25 July 2006.
Dublin City withdraw from Eircom League…19/07/2006
The Eircom League management committee confirmed today that Dublin City have resigned their membership of the Eircom Premier League. The club's complete record has been expunged and the revised results graph and tables can be viewed in our Eircom League Section.
RISSC at LPOSSA 5-a-side Tournament…18/07/2006
RISSC (London) was represented by two teams in the LPOSSA 5-a-side football tournament played last weekend. Both teams progressed from the group phase to the knock out stages where Team 1 were beaten finalists and Team 2 beaten semi-finalists... More>
Double delight for Derry and Drogheda…13/07/2006
Derry City and Drogheda United produced excellent performances in their away first leg UEFA Cup ties this afternoon. Derry defeated IFK Goteborg of Sweden by one goal to nil. A Sean Hargan header ten minutes from time gave the ‘Candystripes’ a deserved victory and makes them favourites to go through in the second leg at the Brandywell. Drogheda earned a 1 all draw with HJK in Helsinki and with the valuable away goal, scored by Shane Robinson, will look forward to the second leg in Dalymount Park in two weeks time.
Cork City take slender lead to Cyprus…12/07/2006
A superb right foot shot from Billy Woods gave Cork City a 1 nil first leg lead over Apollon Limassol in the first qualifying round of the Champions League played in Turners Cross this evening. The goal, scored seventeen minutes into the second half, gave Cork a victory they just about deserved. The Cypriot side, who have yet to start their league season, gave Cork a stern test and next week’s second leg in Nicosia will provide a significant challenge for the Eircom League champions.
Ireland drop down new FIFA rankings…12/07/2006
FIFA published their new international rankings today and Ireland has slipped eight places to 39. The rankings, based on the new criteria implemented by FIFA, are intended to offer a more accurate assessment of the true position of each member country. Brazil has maintained the number 1 ranking with new World Cup winners Italy climbing to second place.
Revised FIFA rankings due on Wednesday…10/07/2006
FIFA’s revised formula for their much criticised world rankings will make it’s bow on Wednesday 12 July 2006. The new structure will see results from the past four years rather than eight years become central to the rankings. The assessment of goals scored and home advantage have been removed from the equation. There will also be greater emphasis on major championship fixtures.
Irish clubs in European action this week…10/07/2006
The first qualifying rounds of both the Champions League and UEFA Cup kick off this week. On Wednesday evening, Eircom Premier League champions Cork City meet Apollon Limassol of Cyprus at Turners Cross in a match which will be televised live by RTE2. On the following evening, Derry City and Drogheda United face daunting trips to IFK Goteborg of Sweden and HJK Helsinki of Finland respectively.
Shelbourne slip out of InterToto Cup…09/07/2006
Following their disappointing first leg result in Denmark last week, Shelbourne restored some pride with a 1 nil second leg victory over OB Odense in Tolka Park on Sunday afternoon. A fine goal from Joseph Ndo secured the result but was insufficient to overcome the first leg deficit and so Shelbourne depart European competition for this year.
Shelbourne reach League Cup semi-final…05/07/2006
Shelbourne recovered from their disappointing Intertoto Cup defeat in Denmark to record a comfortable 4-1 victory over Finn Harps in the quarter-final of the Eircom League Cup. They now join Bohemians, Derry City and Limerick in the semi-final draw.
RISSC Team resume training…04/07/2006
The RISSC (London) football team commence preparations for their return to the top flight of the APFSCIL League this week. Training will start on Thursday evening (6 July 2006) at the LPR Sports Ground, 136 Greenford Road, Sudbury Hill at 7.00pm. Manager Paul Franklin invites any players interested in joining the Club to attend the session. Training will revert to Wednesday evenings from next week. The LPR Club can be reached via Sudbury Hill on the Piccadilly Line. Take a left out of the station and then right at the Rising Sun Public House.
UEFA U21 tie with Greece in doubt…05/07/2006
The FIFA Emergency Committee has suspended the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), the governing body of football in Greece, ‘from all international contact’, with immediate effect. The decision was taken in relation to government interference in Greek football affairs which runs contrary to FIFA Regulations. The suspension, if sustained, will impact upon Ireland’s U21 team, who are scheduled to meet Greece in a UEFA European Championship Group Qualifier on 16 August 2006.
League Cup success for home sides…04/07/2006
Three quarter-finals of the Eircom League Cup were played this evening and each resulted in victory for the home team. In the clash of the Premier League giants, Derry City scored a resounding 4 nil success over Drogheda United. There was also a 1 nil victory for Bohemians over Cobh Ramblers while the meeting of the top two sides in the First Division saw Limerick overcome Shamrock Rovers by the same score. The final tie sees Shelbourne host Finn Harps on Wednesday evening.
Shelbourne on the brink of exit…02/07/2006
A hat trick from Danish striker Morten Fevang has left Shelbourne hovering on the precipice of exit from the UEFA Intertoto Cup. While Shelbourne more than matched Odense OB in general play, a series of defensive lapses resulted in a 3 nil defeat. Shelbourne’s hopes of overcoming the deficit in next Sunday’s second leg in Tolka Park were dealt a further blow when international striker Jason Byrne missed from the penalty spot.