SPORTING IRELAND SUSPENDS FUNDS TO FAI

The fallout of the former Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland John Delaney continues as Sport Ireland reveled this week that they had suspended funding to the association. The FAI receives annual funding of €2.7million from the body and this comes as a result of a breach in the rules of Sport Ireland by the football body.

It is understood that the €100,000 loan provided by Delaney to the FAI is the major subject of interest and this has led to widespread protests in different circles. Irish fans threw tennis balls unto the field in the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Georgia as they protested against Delaney.  Delaney, as well as FAI president Donal Conway, are expected to appear before a parliamentary committee hearing this week. Continue reading SPORTING IRELAND SUSPENDS FUNDS TO FAI

MCCAULEY HELP COLERAINE REMAIN LEADERS IN IRELAND

In Ireland, Darren McCauley’s double after Josh Carson’s opener helped the Premiership side defeat Ards 3-0.


The victory means they have won six times in six matches, starting the new term on a brilliant note.

Though Coleraine ran away heavy winners, it wasn’t heavy at first. They played a goalless draw in the first half as Ards held them. Carson broke through though with his close range effort before McCauley grabbed his brace.

In another fixture, Lindfielddefeated Glentoran 1-0 to continue their top form. Aaron Burns’ early goal was enoughas David Healy’s side claimed all three points. Burns headed the ball in, in the fifth minuteas the champions cruised to a narrow victory over their cross city opponents. Their 100 percent record continues but they remain three points behind Coleraine. They have a match in hand though as they battle Crusaders on Tuesday.

Windsor Park would be excited with the result as they are yet to conceded in the league after five matches.Glentoran would be disappointed with their first loss of the term, Linfield have the last 13 fixtures between both sides, playing a draw in six matches aside a loss. Continue reading MCCAULEY HELP COLERAINE REMAIN LEADERS IN IRELAND

O’Neill in FIFA probe

Martin O’Neill may face sanctions from FIFA after the comments that he made after the match against Austria.


The match ended 1-1 with the referee denying a late Ireland goal and not giving several penalty appeals.

The Republic of Ireland manager said that the Spanish referee was very poor on the night and that he was the main reason why his team did not manage to win the game.

Martin O’Neill was not the only person to have blamed the referee that night. His player James McClean was another person that criticizes the referee, and he even went to the extent of labeling the referee as Austria’s 12th men.

A FIFA representative said that the authority was making an inquiry on what happen and that both the referee and player will have to respond to the charges.

Martin O’ Neill said at that time that the goal scored by Duffy should have stand and that it should have counted. He stated that the manager was wrong and that was an example of his performance the whole night. Continue reading O’Neill in FIFA probe

Ireland’s Martin O’Neil has given an update on Seamus Coleman

On March 24 of 2017, Republic of Ireland faced off with Wales for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification encounter that concluded in a goal-less draw as neither team managed to score a single goal.


This draw means that each side was able to secure 1 point from this match which can help them in their journey of qualifying for the upcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup.

However, this 1 point arrived at a very hefty cost for Republic of Ireland as Seamus Coleman was hit with a very tough tackle which forced the 28 year old defender on having to be removed from the pitch at the 72nd minute.

This injury will be leaving Seamus Coleman out of action for the remainder of the Premier League season which is a huge blow for Everton as Coleman plays a huge role for the English club and he will not be able to represent Ireland for their upcoming qualification matches against: Austria, Georgia, Serbia, Moldova and Wales. Continue reading Ireland’s Martin O’Neil has given an update on Seamus Coleman

WALES FORCE IRELAND TO A DRAW

Republic of Ireland played a goalless draw with Wales on Friday March 24 and the results further points to the fact that the Euro 2016 finalists might not play in Russia next year.


The hosts did a decent job of forcing the Welsh side to a draw – that they seemed content with. The defence was solid and the deep-lying play wearied the visitors.

Real Madrid talisman Gareth Bale could not inspire the set-up to victory though he came close twice. They could have sustained the attack but a poor attack on Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman forced the referee to send off Neil Taylor in the 69th minute. Continue reading WALES FORCE IRELAND TO A DRAW

I’D SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY AT NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICE – CELTIC BOSS

Brendan Rodgers, Celtic Boss has made it known that he would be at the Northern Ireland Hospice on Christmas Day, where he would spend time with terminally-ill children and adults.


This month, Celtic face a grueling schedule of games, which will see them go into no less than three matches before going into a break for the Christmas period.

The period will see both management and players of Celtic go on to take a well-deserved rest. However, the same is not to be said of Hoops Manager, Rodgers as he is preparing to spend Christmas Day at the Northern Ireland Hospice, with the children and adults.

Rodgers recently sold his late parent’s house and went on to donate the proceeds from the sale, to the Hospice where he is an ambassador.

His intention in making the donation, was to honour the charity works of his late mother while she was alive, and as a way of saying thank you to the Hospice for their support towards his late father who had died of throat cancer in 2011. Continue reading I’D SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY AT NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICE – CELTIC BOSS

Martin O’Neill Happy with Recent World Cup Qualification Form

The Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is extremely pleased with the way his team managed a comfortable 3-1 win over Moldova in the latest World Cup 2018 qualification game.


After having started the campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Serbia, Ireland have managed to win back-to-back games were conceding only one goal. As a result, they have managed to get their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign on track after a mediocre start. The expectations upon Ireland are much higher than in recent years after having done well at the Euro 2016.

The national team required only two minutes to score the game’s opening goal and it came through Shane Long. However, there was a period of uncertainty after Moldova managed to equalise just before half-time break throughBugaiov. James McLean managed to find an extra gear in the second half and came up with goals in the space of 10 minutes to put the away team 3-1 ahead in the match. The result is made even better by the fact that Wales could only manage a draw with Georgia at home. Martin O’Neill stated that the result that the Cardiff City stadium certainly surprised him a lot. It now means that Ireland are second in the group level on points with Serbia. Continue reading Martin O’Neill Happy with Recent World Cup Qualification Form

Martin O’Neill Praises Robbie Keane After International Retirement

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has branded striker Robbie Keane as one of the greatest finishers the game has seen.


The striker recently announced his international retirement in a career that saw him make close to 150 appearances for the national team. Since making his debut in 1988,Keane has gone on to feature in 145 appearances. A return of 67 goals from these matches speaks volumes about the striker’s capability in front of goal.Keane has been a successful Premier League forward who represented the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. He is currently with LA Galaxy in the MLS.

As Ireland qualified for the Euro 2016 in surprising circumstances, it was thought thatKeane would make the most out of it by featuring in a major international tournament. This has long been a dream for many Irish players. Prior to Euro 2012, Ireland had qualified for only one European championships in their history. Euro 2016 was seen as a distant attempt, but they qualified with flying colours. It was also seemingly the best place forKeane to call time on his international career and it proved to be the same.Keane will make one final appearance for the international team when they take on Oman in the first week of September.
Continue reading Martin O’Neill Praises Robbie Keane After International Retirement

Ireland Admire France Performance In Lyon

Ireland might not have been able to sustain their position in Euro 2016 but it has definitely created an impression in many ways this year.

The tournament saw a unique trophy being given to the fans of this republic for the supportive and positive attitude they maintained throughout the tournament. That was a unique gesture by the French authorities and it showcased the sportsmanship and the important role that fans play for matches as well as for a country’s performance. Indeed, the country was able to sustain through several rounds this tournament thanks to the fans and the supportive environment they provided to the team.

The team however lost out to France in Lyon. The boss felt that the recovery phase that France took in the second round tie situation certainly helped the team to get back in form. France was able to get victory at a score of 2-1. Martin O’Neill said that the hosts had three extra days to rest and recovers which helped their final group game to be incredible. Continue reading Ireland Admire France Performance In Lyon

Ireland Fans To Be Honored For Supportive Behavior

When we talk of football matches we do talk about the fans at times and how the impact of a game affects them, how they single out heroes out of the teams and decide whom they wish to follow, uplift or condemn.

Indeed, it is the fans and their responses that boosts the confidence of the players, helps team managers be assured or doubt their decisions and push a team to work harder in order to please the fans.

There was a recent declaration that the mayor of Paris would be providing the fans of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland an honorary medal as they have showcased sportsmanship to an exemplary level. The recent announcement of this unique honor has raised queries from all over as to what instances have led to this decision and for recognizing the motivating effects that fans have. Continue reading Ireland Fans To Be Honored For Supportive Behavior