On Monday evening the Donegal County Board ratified the controversial appointment of John Joe Doherty as the new manager of the county football team. There was disarray a few weeks back when Declan Bonner and Charlie Mulgrew were told they were to be appointed to the post after the county board decided it could not meet Doherty's terms.

On the night Bonner and Mulgrew were to be ratified Doherty's name appeared back on the table and he was later told that the job was his. The fallout of this affair will be felt for a long time to come.

Opel Hurling team of the year

The Opel Hurling Team of the Year was announced during the week with All Ireland Champions Kilkenny the main beneficiaries as they were awarded nine places on the team with Waterford, Tipperary and Cork the other counties to have players chosen. The team is as follows: Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Michael Kavanagh, Joe Tyrell and Noel Hickey all Kilkenny, Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Conor O’Mahoney (Tipperary), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Shane McGrath (Tipperary), James “Cha” Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny), Ben O’Connor (Cork), Henry Shefflin, Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny) and Eoin Kelly and John Mullane both Waterford.

Walsh to manage Sligo

Former Galway midfielder Kevin Walsh has been appointed as the new manager of the Sligo senior football team.

Cork hurling in a shambles

The Cork hurling turmoil continued this week when on Thursday the team issued a statement stating that they feel there is a vendetta against them and that they don’t want to have the right to pick the team which was stated by Gerald McCarthy last week. They also stated that McCarthy’s appointment was not legitimate and that he, McCarthy, had leaked sensitive documents to the media.

Gerald McCarthy responded by stating that it was the players who were leaking the story to the media which he stated was misinformation directed at him. McCarthy also said that the players should take responsibility for their role and that it can’t go on.

IRISH SOCCER

Eircom Premier Division

Tue: St Pat’s Ath. 0    Cork City 1
Fri:    Bray Wand. 4    Drogheda Utd 3
         Cork City 0    Sligo Rovers 0
         Galway Utd 3    Finn Harps 0
         St Patrick’s A 2    UCD 0
         Shamrock Rovers 1    Derry City 1
Sat:   Cobh Ramb. 0    Bohemians 2

Eircom First Division

Mon:   Shelbourne 0    Sp Fingal 0
Thurs: Dundalk 7    Athlone Town 0
Fri:      Limerick 37 1    Kildare Co. 2
           Sp Fingal 0    Monaghan Utd 1
           Waterford Utd 0    Shelbourne 1
Sat:    Longford Town P    Wexford Yths P

JJB Sports Premier Division

    Bangor 1    Glenavon 2
    Cliftonville 0    Lisburn D 0
    Coleraine 2    Institute 1
    Crusaders 3    Glentoran 0
    Linfield 3    Dungannon S 1

Co-op Insurance Cup Third Round Second Leg

Coleraine 4    Carrick Rangers 1
    Glentoran 1    Ballymena Utd 2
    Newry 6    Ards 1

Eircom Premier Division

        P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
    Bohemians    32    26    4    2    52    12    81
    St Patrick’s A    31    18    6    7    44    23    60
    Derry City    31    15    10    6    41    21    55
    Cork City     32    15    11    6    44    25    46*
    Sligo Rovers    32    11    12    9    39    28    45
    Bray Wanderers    32    11    6    15    28    50    39
    Shamrock Rovers    32    8    13    11    33    33    37
    Drogheda Utd    32    12    9    11    38    30    35*
    Galway Utd    32    7    8    20    30    49    29
    Finn Harps    32    8    4    20    24    53    28
    Cobh Ramblers    32    6    8    17    25    51    26
    UCD    32    4    9    19    19    45    21
    * Cork City and Drogheda Utd deducted ten points

Eircom First Division

        P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
    Shelbourne    35    20    9    6    54    24    69
    Dundalk    35    20    8    7    62    29    68
    Sporting Fingal     35    17    10    8    51    30    61
    Waterford Utd    35    18    10    7    52    33    61
    Limerick 37    34    15    6    13    48    41    51
    Monaghan Utd    35    12    8    15    36    51    44
    Longford Town    34    9    7    18    34    51    34
    Athlone Town     35    6    14    15    23    48    32
    Wexford Youths    33    8    6    19    27    45    30
    Kildare County    35    6    8    21    33    67    26

JJB Sports Premier Division

        P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
    Crusaders     14    8    4    2    26    12    28
    Linfield    12    8    2    2    26    8    26
    Coleraine     14    8    2    4    20    13    26
    Glentoran    12    7    4    1    17    11    25
    Lisburn D    14    6    4    4    21    15    22
    Bangor    15    6    2    7    17    25    20
    Institute    15    5    3    7    16    25    18
    Newry    14    3    8    3    14    15    17
    Cliftonville    13    3    4    6    14    19    13
    Glenavon    13    3    2    8    14    18    11
    Dungannon S    14    2    4    8    14    22    10
    Ballymena Utd    13    1    5    7    11    26    8

SOCCER REPORTS
By Dónal Ferrie

Galway Utd one win away from safety

Galway United and Finn Harps met at Terryland Park on Friday night knowing that a win for either of them would give them a foothold in the Premier Division for next season. With so much at stake it was always going to be a tight game and it was no surprise that the first goal did not arrive until the second half. The opener came within two minutes of the restart when Marc McCulloch fired home. It was 2—0 six minutes later when Jay O’Shea passed to Alan Murphy who had the easiest of tasks of knocking the ball home.

This gave the home side a cushion which they never looked like relinquishing. The best chance Harps’ had in the second half came from Conor Gethins but his shot was cleared off the line by Alan Keane. Galway were to score a third in stoppage time as Stuart Malcolm brought down John Russell on the edge of the area. John Lester stepped up and fired home to give Galway a deserved victory and the advantage going into the final round of games next week.

Cobh all but relegated

Cobh Ramblers went into their home game against the Champions Bohemians requiring a win if they were to have any chance of survival, however after giving a good account of themselves they lost 2-0, with two goals in the final five minutes which virtually ensured their relegation.

Despite the gulf between the teams there were very few goal scoring opportunities in the first half and it was not until the second half that Bohemians came to life and but for the heroics of Anthony Fennelly Cobh could have found themselves three goals down. Neale Fenn, Gary Deegan and Jason Byrne all tested him. Bohs had another chance when Fenn looked to shoot inside the penalty area but a brilliant last gasp tackle from Shane Guthrie prevented the goal.

The goals did arrive eventually as Mindaugas Kolanas scored with five minutes left on the clock. He doubled the lead after a mistake form the Cobh goalkeeper, who had been playing so well, let the Lithuanian in for an easy tap in.

Goal fest at Bray

Bray and Drogheda served up a goal fest on Friday as Bray edged out Drogheda 4-3. Drogheda have had a bad run of form of late failing to win in seven games. United thought they had taken the lead in the opening minutes but Sami Ristila had his effort ruled out for offside. Bray took the lead shortly afterwards when Paddy Kavanagh crossed the ball which was caught in the swirling wind and, as it dropped, Andy Myler rose highest to head home. Bray then had two great chances to extend their lead but were thwarted by Paul Skinner in the United goal.

Drogheda had a man sent off as Shane Kavanagh was shown a second yellow card on 33 minutes. However the Co. Louth side were back in the match five minutes before the break when Ristila finally got on the score sheet as he chipped the ball over Alan Gough. Bray re-took the lead right on half time when Colm Tresson scored from two yards out.

The first half did not give any indication of what was to come in the second half. Within a minute of the restart Bray were 3-1 up and looked to be cruising towards an easy victory. This time it was Alan Cawley as he struck the ball from 30 yards which Skinner appeared to have claimed. However the Assistant Referee deemed that the ball had crossed the line. Drogheda hit back on 53 minutes when Brian Shelley ran from his own half and fired home. The scores were level with 25 minutes remaining when Richie Baker volleyed home form 20 yards. Bray were not to be denied, however, as with eight minutes remaining Derek Pender fired home to give the home side the three points.

St Patrick’s restore pride

With St Patrick’s Athletic rocked by the betting scandal which broke on Friday, they were looking to get back to winning ways when they played UCD at Richmond Park. Not for the first time this season UCD had Matt Gregg to thank for keeping the score down. With UCD already relegated and St Pats secure in second place there was really nothing to play for. The goals came in either half with the first coming right on half time when Ryan Guy passed the ball to Keith Fahey and he rifled the ball home. In the second half UCD tried to get back into the game but were unable to find a breakthrough. St Pats finished the game off with just over 20 minutes remaining as Alan Kirby received a pass from Fahey and he fired home to wrap up the points.

Stalemate at Tolka

Shamrock Rovers and Derry City played out a 1-1 draw at Tolka Park on Friday night. This was Rovers’ last "home" game in someone else’s ground as they move to their new stadium in Tallaght next season. The first goal came after 13 minutes when Padraig Amond was quickest to react to a parry from Gerard Doherty to force home. Mark Farren equalised just before the half hour mark as he met a Sammy Morrow flick to power home. Despite both teams having plenty of chances to win the game they were unable to get the winner and take all three points.

Cork and Sligo draw

Despite both teams chasing fourth spot and a place in Europe neither Cork nor Sligo could fashion a winner. Sligo nearly took it with six minutes remaining when Rafael Cretaro had a shot brilliantly saved by Mark McNulty in the Cork goal. The destination of the fourth place position will go down to the wire next weekend when Cork play Bohemians and Sligo take on Bray.

Irish Soccer News

Drogheda in examinership

Drogheda joined Cork City in being docked ten points after going into examinership. The Eircom League’s Licensing Committee took the action on Monday last. This drops the Louth side to eighth place and will cost Drogheda a place in Europe next season. Drogheda are to appeal this decision stating that they felt “Theirs was a unique case and should be judged on its own merits”. However the Eircom League can cite Cork City’s plight earlier in the season when they went into examinership.

St Pat's face betting allegations

The FAI are investigating St Patrick’s Athletic over alleged betting irregularities involving games in which St Pats were playing. It has been alleged that St Pat’s players have been betting against themselves in recent games against Cobh Ramblers and Galway Utd. The games in question resulted in defeats for the Dublin Club. St Pats have refused to comment until investigations have been completed.

On Sunday Gary Dempsey owned up to being the player who was at the centre of the allegations. Dempsey placed a €20 bet on Galway Utd to beat his team, which they did. However Dempsey was not involved in the game himself and he lost the bet overall as it was a double which included Manchester City to win, which they failed to do. Dempsey doesn’t feel he has done anything wrong as he was not involved in the match.

Henderson to stand down as Cobh manager

Stephen Henderson is to resign as Cobh manager at the end of the season. Henderson who took over four years ago says that he feels the time is right to move on.

How The Irish Fared
By Mark Stokes

Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle led the Irish in England at the weekend, both men netting a brace in respective wins for Liverpool and Reading.

Keane showed his old Tottenham form at Anfield on Saturday as West Brom were put to the sword in a 3-0 rout. The Baggies were never really at the races and Keane had the points virtually in the bag at the interval with two sublime finishes after linking well with his midfielders. Robbie might have netted his hat-trick had he not been withdrawn for Fernando Torres midway through the second half.

Doyle played a major part in Reading’s 3-0 victory over Derby County at the Majdeski, accounting for two of his side’s three goals. Once again it was an all-Irish scoring act with Noel Hunt netting the other strike. Much of the headlines at Reading have been attracted by Doyle, but with the pair working so well together surely Hunt is worth a look in the Irish senior set up at this juncture?

James McCarthy was also on the score sheet at the weekend, the Republic of Ireland youth international finding the net for Hamilton in their important 1-1 draw with Falkirk. Hamilton are currently mired at the bottom of the Scottish Premier League, and it must be hoped that this ultra-talented youngster, who is rumoured to be about to pull on a senior shirt against Poland next week, will move on to a more prominent address next season.

Graham Gartland is expected to sign for Ipswich Town next week. The Drogheda United defender is one of several high-profile players expected to leave the Co. Louth club in the coming weeks, after the League of Ireland season draws to a close. Gartland was given an early release by United and Ipswich were quick to act in a bid to secure the services of the 25-year-old, who has previous cross-channel experience with Barnsley and Dundee United.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton said: “Graham is someone we have been aware of for a while. He has impressed a lot of people in Ireland and [scout] Charlie Woods watched him play for Republic of Ireland ‘B’ alongside Alex Bruce.

“When the unfortunate situation came up involving Drogheda we took advantage and asked Graham over for a look. He spent a few days with us last week and did very well.

Aston Villa left back Stephen O’Halloran went out on loan to Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City last week. The Swans lie in 10th place in the Championship table, four points off the play-off zone. Young Corkman O’Halloran, who won Republic of Ireland senior caps under Steve Staunton in 2007, has been drafted in on a three-month loan and will hope for better luck than his previous loan move away from Villa, when he ruptured cruciate ligaments on his first appearance for Southampton in January.

His talents have long been lauded in this column but this week former Ipswich and Scotland star John Wark piped up about Republic of Ireland U-21 starlet Owen Garvan, whom he believes has the natural quality to become a star in the Premier League.

The Dubliner has enjoyed a fine run of form for Ipswich in recent weeks to help Jim Magilton’s side to the fringes of the Championship promotion battle. Wark has been hugely impressed by the 20-year-old, who is the latest product of a great Irish footballing family which includes grandfather Con Martin and uncle Mick, both distinguished Republic of Ireland internationals.

Wark said: “Owen is the best player in the current Ipswich squad. He could play in the Premier League now as he is a gifted natural footballer.

“He can go on and make a name for himself at senior international level. He makes the game look simple and has time on the ball, which is the hallmark of a top class player.

“I have watched him play for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side and he was running the game. He is a lovely lad – and he’s also a Liverpool fan, which is great!”

Republic of Ireland U-19 manager, Seán McCaffrey named his 18 man squad this week for the UEFA Under 19 Championship, first qualifying phase, which takes place in Malta, November 21 – 26. The Young Boys in Green will face France, Liechtenstein and the hosts with the top two teams in Group 4 advancing to the elite qualifying phase which takes place early next year.

The Irish squad contains seven players who featured for the Irish U-17s in their remarkable journey to the UEFA U-17 Championship finals in Turkey last year and they will have the experience of difficult UEFA qualifying campaigns behind them and will take nothing for granted on the treacherous route to the UEFA Championship finals. Republic of Ireland v Malta

Republic of Ireland squad:

Kieron Thorp (Crystal Palace), Gerard Hanley (Galway United), Lanre Oyebanjo (Histon), Callum Morris (Newcastle United), Danny Kelly (Norwich City), Niall McArdle (Sunderland ), Gavin Gunning (Blackburn) Shane O’Connor (Liverpool), Jamie Devitt (Hull City), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Gearoid Morrissey (Blackburn), Conor Hourihane (Sunderland), Damien McCrory (Plymouth), Aaron Doran (Blackburn), Paul Murphy (Ipswich), Paddy Madden (Bohemians), James Collins (Aston Villa), Ian Daly (Man City)

RUGBY

Rugby League World Cup

Mon: Ireland 34 Samoa 16

International

Sat: Ireland 55 Canada 0

AIB Cup Second Round

Sat: Nenagh O 15 Barnhall 3

Kildney’s reign opens with win
By Dónal Ferrie

On Saturday at Thomond Park the Declan Kidney era got off to a winning start as his side overwhelmed Canada with a 55-0 win which included eight tries. Munster’s Keith Earls was making his debut and within three minutes he had scored his first International try. The try came about when Ronan O’Gara kicked a high ball which was spilled by Justin Mensah-Coker inside his 22. The ball was then fed wide via Brian O’Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald to Earls who went over. O’Gara added the conversion and then a penalty to put Ireland 10-0 up. Rob Kearney scored Ireland’s second try in controversial circumstances as it appeared that the Canadian player had touched the ball down before Kearney. However the TMO ruled that the try was valid. O’Gara again sent over the conversion.

The third try came just before the half hour. When awarded a penalty ten yards out, Ireland opted for a scrum with Jamie Heaslip barging over. Three minutes later Ireland scored another try when Earls passed the ball out to Kearney who went over for his second of the night. Ireland’s fourth came right on half time when Tommy Bowe went over from 15 metres. O’Gara added the conversion and Ireland took a 38-0 half time lead.

Canada improved in the second half but, with Ireland wanting to get back on the scoring charts, Declan Kidney sent on all eight substitutes. Ireland’s sixth try came in the 63rd minute when substitute Peter Stringer fed Tommy Bowe who passed to David Wallace who crossed under the posts. Paddy Wallace, who had replaced O’Gara, kicked the extra points. Ireland’s seventh try was a thing of beauty as Kearney played a one-two with Tommy Bowe who then passed to Alan Quinlan who went over to hit the fifty mark. Wallace missed the conversion. Bowe rounded off the scoring in the final minute and again Paddy Wallace missed the extras.

Next week Ireland will be given a sterner test as they take on the might of the All Blacks who are fresh from a 32-6 win over Scotland.

Ireland reach quarter finals

At the Rugby League World Cup in Australia Ireland created the upset of the competition when they defeated Samoa 34-16 on Wednesday. Ireland had to win by six points to make it out of the group and are now just 80 minutes away from playing a semi final match against Australia. Firstly though they have to overcome Fiji. Pat Richards top scored with 22 points which included three tries. Ireland were to score six tries in total and out muscled the Pacific Island team.

GOLF

The HSBC Championship in Shanghai was interrupted by rain over the weekend and will resume on Monday. Graeme McDowell is the best of the Irish on –6, sharing tenth place and six shots behind the leader. Padraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie are a shot further back. Damien McGrane is on –4 with Darren Clarke is on seven-over.

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