Monday, 8 August 2016

Round Up - Weekend of 6th August 2016

Saturday, 6 August 2016
Championship
Blackburn 1-4 Norwich
On the opening day of the Championship season, Darragh Lenihan made his twenty-fifth start for Blackburn Rovers in the same game that compatriots Anthony Stokes and Jack Byrne made their debuts for the club, Stokes marking the occasion with a goal
For the opposition, Wes Hoolahan scored for Norwich for the first time since February

Bristol City 2-1 Wigan
Having moved to Bristol in the summer, Callum O'Dowda started for them in their first game of the season

Huddersfield 2-1 Brentford
O'Dowda's fellow summer transfer John Egan made his first appearance for his new club Brentford

Ipswich 4-2 Barnsley
Conor Hourihane opened his account in the Championship in his first appearance in the competition

Nottingham Forest 4-3 Burton Albion
Stephen Henderson benefitted from the injury to de Vries in the first half, and came off the bench to made his first appearance for the Forest in their home win on the first day of the season. It was the netminder's first senior appearance since February

Reading 1-0 Preston North End
Alan Browne's booking on the first day of 2016/17 was his first yellow card since February

Rotherham 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Anthony Forde assisted both of Rotherham's goals in his first appearance for the Millers, against his first club in England

League 1
Bradford City 0-0 Port Vale
Colin Doyle made his first appearance for Bradford after sigining for them for just £1

Bury 2-0 Charlton
Kevin Foley made his first appearance for Charlton after signing a short term deal with them last week

Millwall 3-0 Oldham
Shaun Williams made his one hundredth appearance for Milwall
Paul Green made his first appearance for Oldham
Aiden O'Brien scored his first goal of the season

Northampton 1-1 Fleetwood
Jimmy Ryan made his fiftieth appearance for Fleetwood, strangely all of the winger's appearances have been starts!

Rochdale 2-3 Peterborough
Chris Forrester's goal against Rochdale was the former St Patrick's Athletic player's first goal since 3rd October 2015

Scunthorpe 3-1 Bristol Rovers
Stephen Dawson made his twenty-fifth start for Scunthorpe, in the same game that former Limerick FC striker Rory Gaffney made his twenty-fifth appearance for Bristol Rovers

Shrewsbury 0-1 MK Dons
Gary Deegan's start against MK Dons was the midfielder's 150th career appearance

Southend United 1-3 Gillingham
Simon Cox made his first appearance for Southend and assisted Stephen McLaughlin's strike
Mark Byrne made his first appearance for Gillingham after moving in preseason
Emmanuel Osadebe's start for the Gills was his first start since 27th February against Chesterfield, and scored his first goal since the same game
Stephen McLaughlin scored his fifth goal since moving to England, 10 months after his last goal in October 2015

League 2 
Blackpool 2-0 Exeter
After moving to Exeter in the summer, Pierce Sweeney made his senior career debut for the Grecians.
Liam McAlinden came off the bench to make his first appearance for Exeter

Cambridge United 1-1 Barnet
Sean Long made his first appearance for Cambridge, this was the defender's first senior appearance since December 2015

Crawley 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
James Collins made his first appearance for Crawley
Mark Crawley made his first appearance since December 2015, after returning to Crawley following a two year spell in Scotland

Grimsby 2-0 Morecambe
After moving to Grimsby in June, James Berrett made his first appearance for the club

Hartlepool 1-1 Colchester
Following his remarkable scoring record at Grimsby last season, Padraig Amond made his first appearance for Hartlepool

Newport Co. 2-3 Mansfield Town
Patrick Hoban made his first appearance for Mansfield as a late substitute, this was the striker's first appearance since February

Portsmouth 1-1 Carlisle United
David Forde made his first appearance for Portsmouth since signing for them on loan, the goalkeeper's first start since January
Michael Doyle made his fiftieth start for Portsmouth After signing for Portsmouth on a short term deal, Noel Hunt made his first appearance for the club - the striker's first appearance in League Two
Jamie Devitt unfortunately marked his first appearance for Carlisle with the third sending off of his career, his last red card came in October 2014

Yeovil 2-0 Notts County
Kevin Dawson scored his first goal in two years, having not scored since August 2014

Scottish First Division
Dundee Utd 1-1 Queen of the South
In his fourth spell at Dundee, Willo Flood made his one hundred fiftieth start for the club

Sunday, 7 August 2016
Championship
QPR 3-0 Leeds United
U19 midfielder Olamide Shodipo made his first career appearance for QPR

Scottish Premier League
Hearts 1-2 Celtic
Despite the league season only just starting, Conor Sammon picked up his second booking of the season, having already been booked during Hearts' Europa League campaign

Friday, 5 August 2016

2016/17 - The Season So Far

With the English and Scottish domestic seasons about to kick off, some people may not realise that there have been some Irish players already involved with their clubs in the early rounds of European competition. We've reviewed the appearance data so far for the first of the 2016/17 season reports for these players, as well as the Irish players lining out for their respective clubs in MLS

Thursday, 30 June 2016
UEFA Cup
Banants 0-1 Omonia Nicosia
Cillian Sheridan started Omonia's first game of the new season

Aberdeen 3-1 Fola Esch
Willo Flood, Jonathan Hayes and Adam Rooney all lined out for Aberdeen's season opener against Fola Esch, and Rooney marked the occasion with a goal

Hearts 2-1 Infonet
Having moved to Hearts in the close season, Conor Sammon made his first start for the Tynecastle side, and marked the occasion with a booking - his first yellow since January

Tuesday, 5 July 2016
MLS
LA Galaxy 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Robbie Keane marked his return to the Galaxy after Euro 2016 with a goal, his first since a brace against New England Revolution two months earlier

Thursday, 7 July 2016
UEFA Cup
Fola Esch 1-0 Aberdeen
After signing for the Dons from Burton Albion, Anthony O'Connor made his first start for the club in the return leg against Fola Esch
In what would be his last appearance for Aberdeen, Willo Flood was shown his first yellow card of the season

Omonia Nicosia 4-1 Banants
Cillian Sheridan was booked for the first time since January

Friday, 15 July 2016
Scottish League Cup
Airdrie Utd 0-1 Partick Thistle
After signing a contract with Airdrie in January, Joe Gorman made his first appearance for the club, in the same game Daniel Devine made his first start for his new side Partick Thistle

Cove Rangers 1-2 Raith
Following a short trial, Joel Coustrain signed for Raith and made his senior career debut a day later in this game

Saturday, 16 July 2016
Scottish League Cup
Cowdenbeath 1-2 Inverness CT
After leaving QPR for Inverness, Jake Mulraney made his first appearance for the club

Motherwell 0-2 Rangers
Carl McHugh made his first appearance for Mothwerwell and was booked

Thursday, 21 July 2016
UEFA Cup
Ventspils 0-1 Aberdeen
Adam Rooney scored his sixtieth goal for the club, and his tenth goal in European competition

Omonia Nicosia 3-2 Beitar Jerusalem
Cillian Sheridan scored his fifth goal in the Europa League

Hearts 1-2 Birkirkara
Conor Sammon's first goal for Hearts was also his first goal in the Europa League and his fiftieth goal since leaving the League of Ireland

Saturday, 23 July 2016
Scottish League Cup
Dundee 6-2 Dumbarton
Darren O'Dea scored his first goal for Dundee

Tuesday, 26 July 2016
Scottish League Cup

Peterhead 2-1 Dundee
Fiacre Kelleher made his first career start, after signing for Peterhead on a one month loan from Celtic

Wednesday, 27 July 2016
Champions League
Astana 1-1 Celtic
Eoghan O'Connell made his first since September 2015

Saturday, 30 July 2016
Scottish League Cup
Dundee 7-0 Forfar
Darren O'Dea made his two hundredth career start

Ross County 7-0 Cove Rangers
Aaron McCarey made his first appearance for Ross County, this was the goalkeeper's first appearance since October 2015

Wednesday, 3 August 2016
Champions League
Celtic 2-1 Astana
Eoghan O'Connell picked up his first booking since September 2015

Thursday, 4 August 2016
UEFA Cup
NK Maribor 1-0 Aberdeen
Adam Rooney made his two hundred fiftieth career start

West Ham United 3-0 Domzale
Darren Randolph made his first appearance of the season for West Ham in their first home game in the Olympic Stadium

Monday, 1 August 2016

Irish Player Transfers, Loans and Contracts - July 2016

Transfers
1st July 2016
After being named Gillingham’s Player of the Season, and named in the League One Team of the Season for 2015/16, John Egan signed for Brentford on a three year deal: http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/brentford-sign-john-egan-on-three-year-deal-3164535.aspx

2nd July 2016
Mark Connolly returned to Crawley Town, where he made 80 appearances before signing for Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock: http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-3165042.aspx

4th July 2016
Defender Paul Rooney left Bohemians to sign for Millwall and will go into their U21 team: http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/millwall-paul-rooney-lions-fans-the-den-league-one-efl-3167141.aspx

5th July 2016
After his contract with Plymouth Argyle expired, Carl McHugh signed a two year deal with Motherwell: http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/?p=52391

6th July 2016
Midfielder Chris McCann has signed for new MLS side Atlanta United, and will go on loan until joining them for the 2017 season next year: http://atlutd.com/atlanta-united-signs-irish-midfielder-chris-mccann/

7th July 2016
Former U21 striker Rhys Murphy signed for non league side Forest Green Rovers: http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/first-team-news/2016/rhys-murphy-signs-from-oldham-athletic

11th July 2016
After his contract with Shrewsbury town was cancelled, striker James Collins signed a three year deal with Crawley town: http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-james-collins-english-football-league-two-3178052.aspx

12th July 2016
Bradford City triggered Colin Doyle’s release clause of £1 to sign the goalkeeper on a two year deal: http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/city-complete-doyle-deal-3180658.aspx

13th July 2016
Jimmy Dunne signed for Burnley on a two year deal, and will join their development squad: http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/2016-17/jimmy-dunne-joins-the-clarets-3183298.aspx

14th July 2016
Winger Callum O’Dowda left his hometown club Oxford to sign a three year contract with Championship side Bristol City: http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/odowda-wings-in-from-oxford-3186218.aspx

Willo Flood signed a one year contract with Dundee United, the fourth time the winger has signed for the Tangerines: http://dufc.co/news/flood-signs/

15th July 2016
After a short trial at Raith Rovers, Limerick midfielder Joel Coustrain signed a one year contract with the Kircaldy side: http://www.raithrovers.net/25716/further-signing-news.htm

16th July 2016
Striker Simon Cox signed a two year deal with Southend United, after his contract with Reading was cancelled: http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/simon-cox-signs-3188812.aspx

22nd July 2016
After spending two seasons at Charlton, goalkeeper Stephen Henderson signed a three year contract with Nottingham Forest: http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/nottingham-forest-stephen-henderson-signing-transfer-3200360.aspx

25th July 2016
Wexford Youths defender Ryan Delaney signed for Burton Albion on a two year deal, with an option of another year: http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/brewers-confirm-three-more-additions-to-nigel-cloughs-squad-3206024.aspx

27th July 2016
After being released by Liverpool, defender Daniel Cleary signed for Birmingham City on a one year deal, with an option of another year:  http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/birmingham-city-daniel-cleary-3209393.aspx

28th July 2016
After a brief trial, midfielder Paul Green signed a one year contract with League One side Oldham Athletic: http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/signing-midfielder-green-pens-contract-with-latics-3212161.aspx

Wicklow born defender Pierce Sweeney signed for Exeter City, where his wages will be paid by the 1931 fund: http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/exeter-city-new-signing-pierce-sweeney-3212093.aspx

29th July 2016
Following his release from Leeds United, and a trial with Portsmouth, U21 goalkeeper Eric Grimes signed for Cork City: http://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2016/07/29/eric-grimes-signs-city/

Loans
8th July 2016
U19 defender Shaun Donnellan signed for Stevenage FC on loan until January 2017: http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/2016-17/defender-shaun-donnellan-signs-on-loan-from-west-brom-3174517.aspx

Following his successful season at Falkirk in 2015/16, Danny Rogers has returned to the Bairns for another season long loan: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/bairns-delight-as-rogers-returns/

25th July 2016
Celtic defender Fiacre Kelleher signed for Peterhead FC on a six month loan: http://www.peterheadfc.com/news/item/1582-peterhead-complete-kelleher-signing

28th July 2016
Reading defender Sean Long signed for Cambridge on a six month loan: http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/-cambridge-united-sign-full-back-sean-long-on-six-month-loan-3213014.aspx

29th July 2016
Millwall goalkeeper David Forde signed a season long loan with League Two side Portsmouth: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/pompey-sign-goalkeeper-david-forde-on-loan-from-millwall-3212084.aspx

30th July 2016
Everton’s Ireland U17 midfielder Stephen Kinsella signed for St Patrick’s Athletic on loan until the end of the current League of Ireland season: http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=7244

Contracts
4th July 2016
Promising striker Jean-Yves Poame signed a two year contract with Sunderland: https://www.safc.com/news/academy-news/2016/july/scholarship-announcement

12th July 2016
Glenn Whelan extended his contract with Stoke City to the summer of 2018: http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/2016-17/glenn-whelan-new-contract-3180812.aspx

U19 winger Adam McDonnell signed a new two year contract with Ipswich Town: http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/adam-mcdonnell-signs-a-contract-extension-3150363.aspx

14th July 2016
U21 defender Noe Baba signed a one year extension to his deal with Birmingham City: http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/noe-baba-birmingham-city-3185967.aspx

15th July 2016
U21 midfielder Harry Charsley signed a one year contract at Everton, keeping him at Goodison Park until the summer of 2017: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/07/15/new-deals-for-charsley-and-robinson

19th July 2016
Rob Kiernan signed a one year extension to his contract at Rangers, keeping him at Ibrox until 2018: http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/wes-rob-extend-contracts/

21 July 2016
Shane Long signed a new four year deal with Southampton: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160721-shane-long-new-southampton-contract-announcement-3199534.aspx

31st July 2016
Ahead of their first appearance at the Olympic Stadium, West Ham have confirmed that Darren Randolph has signed a new four year deal with the Hammers: http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/July/31-July/New-deal-for-Darren