Author Archives: Aaron McAllorum

Andy Farrell (left) will replace Joe Schmidt as irish rugby coach

The New Zealander will be replaced by Ireland’s current defence coach Andy Farrell. Schmidt replaced Declan Kidney as Ireland coach in 2013 and won back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015.

Farrell joined the Ireland set-up in April 2016 as defence coach, having departed the same role with England, where he worked under current Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster.

Andy Farrell to replace Schmidt as Ireland coach after 2019 World Cup (RTÉ)

Pic Reuters

Referee Daniel Sweeney

Further to the assault of football referee Daniel Sweeney following a game between Horseleap and Mullingar Town earlier this month…

Newstalk reports:

“Today, the Combined Counties Football League confirmed three [Mullingar Town] players involved in the incident will be banned “from all football activity under the jurisdiction of the FAI for 40 years”.

It means they also can’t coach, manage or be part of a club committee for that period.

A former Mullingar Town player who was “involved as a spectator” has received a life ban from all football activity, having previously been banned from playing for a previous assault.”

Three Mullingar Town players get 40-year football bans for involvement in referee assault (Newstalk)

Previously: Meanwhile, In Offaly

Ecky thump.

Breaking! Return of the Mick – McCarthy to be offered Ireland job (RTÉ)

Earlier:  Our Nation Turns Its Lonely Eyes To Ye

Meanwhile…

In fairness.

From top: Mick McCarthy and Robbie Keane; latest odds the next Republic of Ireland manager on Paddy Power

McCarthy is the leading candidate to replace Martin O’Neill and he is reportedly interested in the role. He has been out of work since leaving Ipswich in April.

And Keane is in the equation to work alongside McCarthy, after being previously linked with the Under-21 team job.

Mick McCarthy and Robbie Keane: the ‘dream team’ after O’Neill’s €1m departure (Independent.ie)

Paddy Power

Martin O’Neill (left) and Roy Keane

This morning.

Over the moon?

Sick as a parrot?

The choice is yours.

Breaking Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane leave Ireland jobs by mutual agreement (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…

Ah here.

Rollingnews

Last night.

Ceres Park, Copenhagen Aarhus., Denmark.

Michael Obafemi (above with mother Bola and brother Affy) made his senior international football debut last night when he was brought on as a substitute during the Republic of Ireland’s goalless draw with Denmark.

Mr Obafami, who was born in Dublin and plays for Southampton in the Premier League, was also eligible to represent England or Nigeria but committed to play for the Republic of Ireland earlier this month.

In fairness.

Michael Obafemi: ‘I want to get as many Ireland caps as possible’ (Irish Times)

Havnegade in Copenhagen, Denmark

This afternoon.

It has been reported that the body of an Irish football fan was recovered at Havnegade, a waterfront area in the centre of the city of Copenhagen, Denmark.

It comes ahead of Ireland playing Denmark in the city of Aarhus tonight.

In a statement, the FAI has said:

The FAI has expressed its condolences to the family of the supporter, who passed away in Copenhagen, ahead of the UEFA Nations League game between Denmark and Ireland.

An official request has been submitted to UEFA, by the FAI, to hold a minute’s silence before kick-off in tonight’s game in Aarhus.

The Ireland players will wear black armbands in respect of the supporter.

The FAI continues to work with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the matter.

FAI ‘deeply saddened’ after Irish fan, 30, dies in Denmark (Breakingnews)

Referee Daniel Sweeney

Balls.ie reports:

A referee was hospitalised after he was allegedly assaulted in the aftermath of an adult soccer match.

Gardaí in Co Offaly are investigating the incident which took place after a match in the Midlands Soccer League. Referee Daniel Sweeney was admitted to hospital with a suspected broken jaw as well as injuries to his cheekbone and nose.

The alleged assault is said to have taken place in the car park at the Combined Counties Football League after a dispute occurred towards the end of the game.

Gardai Investigating As Referee Hospitalised After Alleged Assault (Balls.ie)

Pic: Joe Cassidy Athlone

This morning/afternoon

Irish Rugby head coach, Joe Schmidt gets ‘robed up’ before being presented with the Griffith College Distinguished Fellowship Award 2018 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish sport.

Previous recipients have included Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney and John Hume.

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

This morning.

A joint statement has been released from the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland and the Irish and British branches of Show Racism the Red Card, in support of Stoke City player James McClean, from Derry, who refused to wear the poppy when his side faced Middlesborough last Sunday.

Mr McClean was warned yesterday by the English Football Association over a post he wrote on Instagram in which he responded to critics over his refusal to wear a poppy.

Yesterday: FA issue warning to James McClean over language (RTE)

Previously: Every Year

Via Gavan Reilly