Neil O'Riordan

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Neil O'Riordan

THE FAI will offer to fund leagues’ entries into the Kennedy and Gaynor Cup - but they must sign up to the aligned football calendar. The SFAI complained last month that the Association had withheld funds which it uses to host the showpiece tournaments for girls and boys in Limerick in June. It was linked to the affiliate’s opposition to a change to calendar-year football, the first stage of which, up to under-12 level, is due to be introduced in 2026.

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Neil O'Riordan

SHELBOURNE will play Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park next month as normal. It was reported last week that Shels were considering switching the ‘Ringsend Derby’ on Friday June 13 to the Aviva Stadium, a week after Ireland play Senegal there in a friendly. And Rovers boss Stephen Bradley had welcomed the prospect of a move to Lansdowne Road when quizzed about it after his side’s 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers on Monday.

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Neil O'Riordan

JOHN COLEMAN believes he is returning to a better League of Ireland which is an antidote to ‘backwards, sideways’ football in the English Premier League. Coleman was appointed as Waterford’s manager on Saturday, 11 years on from a short spell in charge of Sligo Rovers. The 62-year-old - and ex-Sligo player Danny Ventre, who is expected to be confirmed as his assistant - watched caretaker boss Matt Lawlor sign off with a backs-to-the-wall win away to champions Shelbourne on Monday.

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Neil O'Riordan

DAMIEN DUFF has hit back at Stephen Bradley after the Shamrock Rovers accused him of  a lack of respect. Bradley criticised Duff in his programme notes for the Hoops’ game against Sligo Rovers for not shaking his hand after their sides’ 2-2 draw the Friday before last. Duff said it was because Bradley had attacked his character by suggesting he gets carried away and a little bit emotional after he had described Shels midfielder Kerr McInroy as the best in the league.

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Neil O'Riordan

CAELAN DORIS’ Lions hopes are hanging in the balance. The Ireland captain was a certain pick for Andy Farrell, who will name his squad on Thursday. Doris - who played in the 37-34 Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton on Saturday - was also the bookies’ favourite to lead the tourists in Australia this summer. But Leinster have revealed that the back row will undergo a shoulder operation this week.