LIVERPOOL STAR Sadio Mane’s triumphant homecoming to Senegal after winning Africa’s top football prize was scuppered Wednesday when problems with overflight permission in Tunisia grounded his jet. Senegal’s capital Dakar had readied celebrations for the 27-year-old, who was crowned Africa’s 2019 Player of the Year in Egypt on Tuesday. The first Senegalese player to win … Continue reading "Plane grounding forces Liverpool’s Mane to miss triumphant homecoming"

‘THIS PHONE IS a bloody disaster”, says an exasperated Jim Goodwin. The Tramore lilt – usually smothered by a kind-of bastardised Scottish brogue – becomes more pronounced as his irritation grows.  Earlier, the line went dead just as the St Mirren boss started on a story about working in construction recruitment (more on that later) … Continue reading "‘There was the three of us – myself, my pal and Kenny Dalglish – butt naked and singing Otis Redding’"

IRELAND U15S EARNED an impressive 2-0 win over Australia U17s in Abbotstown today. Second-half goals from Kevin Zefi and Alex Nolan ensured Jason Donohue’s side maintained their 100% record this season. It was another morale-boosting win for the Boys in Green at the FAI National Training Centre, having picked up a similarly impressive 3-1 victory … Continue reading "Impressive Ireland U15s overcome Australia U17s"

IRISH INTERNATIONALS Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey all featured as Arsenal edged Liverpool 3-2 in tonight’s Women’s Super League encounter at Deva Stadium. It was McCabe and Quinn’s team who came out on top, as the Gunners’ win saw them reduce the gap on leaders Man City to three points. Rinsola Babajide gave the … Continue reading "Irish trio feature as Arsenal overcome Liverpool"

JOSE MOURINHO HAS confirmed Troy Parrott will be on the bench for Tottenham’s FA Cup tie with Norwich, while urging patience with the youngster. The 18-year-old striker came off the bench for the dying moments of the Premier League game against Wolves at the weekend, but Mourinho afterwards reiterated previous claims that the Ireland international … Continue reading "Mourinho on Troy Parrott: ‘We are taking very good care of him. We cannot tell you every single detail’"

RALPH HASENHÜTTL HAS tipped academy graduate Will Smallbone to flourish at Southampton following his Premier League debut. Smallbone impressed with a man-of-the-match performance on his top-flight bow as the Saints swept past struggling Aston Villa 2-0 at St Mary’s last weekend. Click Here: Gws Giants Guernsey And now manager Hasenhüttl has backed the midfielder to … Continue reading "Saints boss lavishes praise on Ireland youngster following promising Premier League debut"

IT IS HOPED that the Women’s National League season will begin on the weekend ending 28 June. Ireland’s top division for women’s football was initially due to begin on 14 March, but those plans were shelved due to the spread of Covid-19.  However, the FAI and the WNL Committee have today agreed a new date … Continue reading "Women’s National League season to kick off in late June"

EVEN IF YOU completely ignore his career in football, Felix Healy has led a very interesting life. The Dalai Lama, Martin McGuinness, Kenny Dalglish, The Troubles, the 1982 World Cup, the Undertones, Martin O’Neill and Eusebio are just some of the people and subjects that come up over the course of an hour-long conversation. During … Continue reading "Working with Martin McGuinness in a meat company, singing for the Dalai Lama and playing at the World Cup"

THERE’S PLENTY OF sporting action taking place this weekend to keep fans couch-bound from Friday through Sunday. It will see the return of inter-county football action, in addition to the second round of the hurling leagues.  It’s FA Cup final weekend in England, while the Women’s Champions League final also takes place. The Premier League … Continue reading "Here’s your TV guide to a jam-packed weekend of sport"

SCOTLAND SET THEMSELVES up for the 2020 European Championships with a 1-0 win over 10-man Luxembourg but it could have been so much more comfortable. Click Here: factory direct women products Following an encouraging 2-2 draw with Holland in Portugal last Wednesday, a Che Adams goal gave Steve Clarke’s side victory in their final friendly … Continue reading "Scotland earn narrow win over 10-man Luxembourg in final Euro 2020 warm-up"