Gavin Cummiskey

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Gavin Cummiskey

When Josh Honohan’s football career eventually stops rising, he will remember the month of June in 2025. Called into the Republic of Ireland squad for friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, a muscular injury sustained in training conspired to deny him a dream debut. An own goal appeared to cap a miserable week for the Cork man, until he blasted a late winner to silence the Tolka Park crowd and maintain Shamrock Rovers six-point lead at the top of the Premier Division.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Gavin Cummiskey

Drogheda United qualified for the Uefa Conference League by winning the FAI Cup on November 10th. Eight days later, it was confirmed that their US owner, The Trivela Group, had taken an 80 per cent stake in Danish club Silkeborg IF. On Tuesday, Drogheda were removed from next Tuesday’s Conference League qualifier draw as Uefa rules state that “no individual or legal entity” can control two teams competing in the same European competition.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Gavin Cummiskey

Results throughout the 2020s clearly explain why the Republic of Ireland is ranked 60th in the world by Fifa. Sandwiched between Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the lowly position in the global game comes after non-starter campaigns to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. An undeniable trend is evident. Ireland have lost their opening two matches in the previous four campaigns, having also crumbled at the start of the Nations League groups in 2022 and 2024.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Gavin Cummiskey

Progress report. Stephen Kenny predicted that the fast-tracking of the Republic of Ireland under-21s from 2019 would lead to an established team of 20-somethings with 30-plus caps come the 2026 World Cup. In November 2021, Ireland appeared to be ahead of schedule after a 3-0 win at Stade de Luxembourg to conclude their dismal Qatar 2022 qualification campaign on a high.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Gavin Cummiskey

Ireland captain Nathan Collins and his new team-mate at Brentford, Caoimhín Kelleher, are braced for a preseason without their club manager Thomas Frank. The Danish coach is being linked to the vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League champions sacked Ange Postecoglou. “Every time I turn on the TV, I see it,” admitted Collins in advance of the friendly in Luxembourg. “Can’t get away from it, unfortunately.