For loi19.com: FAI delegation heads to Greece for UEFA Study Group Seminar

The League of Ireland u19s will be represented at a UEFA Study Group seminar in Greece this week as Shelbourne’s Marin Murray and Derry City’s John Quigg form part of an 11-strong FAI delegation.

For loi19.com: Left-back Desmond has the striker's touch for Shels

He hadn’t scored in over three years but he now has two goals in six games – and left-back Lee Desmond is aiming to keep the front foot forward as Shelbourne look to maintain their impressive form in their bid to become only the second side to win the League of Ireland u19 Elite Division title.

For loi19.com: Conor Pepper two-part interview

Conor Pepper is currently in his second season at Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The former St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder was home for the international break last weekend, so we met him in Malahide – joined by his sister Naoise – to talk about his career so far.

For loi19.com: Goalkeeper Michael Lynch with his jumpers for posts

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” is an adage so clichéd that it has almost fallen out of use in footballing circles – the point is now translated through actions rather than words as clubs across the League of Ireland turn to youth on the pitch to help keep books balanced off it. And goalkeeper Michael Lynch is another protege hoping to make the jump sooner rather than later.

For loi19.com: FAI's Pat Duffy focussed on raising the standard

As the League of Ireland Under-19's section gears up for the kick-off of its third season this weekend, Pat Duffy feels that while it has been successful so far, there is still more that can be done to raise the standard, competitiveness and representation of the league across the country.

For loi19.com: loi19.com-Pieta House partnership launched at Tallaght Stadium

The official launch of the partnership between loi19.com and the charity Pieta House took place in a sun-kissed Tallaght Stadium last week.

CorkCityFC.ie: Kilbarrack United club profile

This club profile of Kilbarrack United was put together ahead of their FAI Cup 2nd round clash with Cork City in August 2013. It appeared on CorkCityFC.ie on the 03/08/2013.

Kilbarrack United club profile

Ahead of the Bank Holiday Monday FAI Cup 2^nd round clash at Turner’s Cross, CorkCityFC.ie takes a look at the visiting team.

Name: Kilbarrack United

Founded: 1970
League: Athletic Union League (AUL), Premier A
Ground: Greendale Open Space

Chairman: Willie Dunne
Manager: Paul Breen
Captain: Jonathan Meleady

CorkCityFC.ie: Saints secure late win at Richmond Park

This match report was written for CorkCityFC.ie and was published 27/07/2013.

St. Patrick's Athletic   2          Cork City   1

Cork City were seconds away from securing the unlikeliest of points at Richmond Park but an eventful second half ended in heartbreak for the travelling Leesiders as a late Killian Brennan penalty secured a 2-1 win for league leaders St. Patrick’s Athletic.

CorkCityFC.ie: Shels edge tense Tolka Park battle

This match report was written for CorkCityFC.ie and was published 12/07/2013.

Shelbourne   2                        Cork City   1

Cork City goalkeeper Mark McNulty said before the game that failure to get a result in Tolka Park would render last week’s victory over champions Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross meaningless – and sadly for him and the travelling Rebel Army, he was unable to prevent Johnny McDonnell’s Reds from edging a scrappy game.

CorkCityFC.ie: City beaten at the Belfield Bowl

This match report was written for CorkCityFC.ie and was published 28/06/2013: it can be viewed in its original form here.

UCD    3                      Cork City         0

Tommy Dunne said before the game that Cork City would need some luck to get a result in the UCD Bowl – but sadly for the Leesiders they didn’t get an ounce of it as they were put to the sword by the Students.

Shels' fightback begins as ten man Bohs capitulate

Bohemians   0     Shelbourne   3

The Shelbourne renaissance under Johnny McDonnell began in earnest at Dalymount Park as the Reds comfortably despatched ten man Bohemians, securing their first league win since early May, with Dean Kelly becoming the first Shels player to score more than once in a league game this season.

For Extratime.ie: Strachan happy with ref; O'Neill not so much

Gordon Strachan said he was happy with the performance of Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli during Scotland's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, despite the official and his team missing Jonathan Walters occupying an offside position in the build-up to the home side's goal. 

For Extratime.ie: Martin O'Neill - It's important for the nation

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has not shied away from the enormity of this weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, saying: “It's important for the nation.”

For loi19.com: Football's Next Star interview with Gavin Boyne

This interview was conducted for loi19.com as part of a series with players who appeared on the reality television programme Football's Next Star. It was published on the 03/06/2013 and can be seen in its original form here.

Football's Next Star is a reality television programme that aimed to find a talented young Irish footballer with the reward being a contract at Scottish Premier League club, Celtic FC.

Dunne and dusted: Sheriff claim second FAI Junior Cup

This match report was used on the Junior Soccer Portal website; this version can be viewed here.


Kilbarrack United   0     Sheriff YC   0 (AET)
(Sheriff win 5-4 on penalties)

Football can be as cruel as it is rewarding, and perhaps there is no better personification of this than the respective weeks endured by both Sheriff YC and Kilbarrack United. For one team, it is a case of celebrating a provincial and national cup double; for the other, it is a case of ruing chances not taken.