Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

St Pat's gain confidence in defeat as rebuild looms

Although they bowed out of the competition, Stephen Kenny and his players can hold their heads high, knowing they gave everything in their pursuit of European group stage football.

Soccer • 30 Aug 24

'Risks are calculated and rewards are within reach'

Potential rewards can justify risky business

In recent years, the League of Ireland has witnessed an evolution in the calibre of players that clubs are willing to sign, and with it, the wages they are prepared to pay.

Soccer • 16 Aug 24

'Shelbourne have probably had the best window in the Premier Division'

Cork look to future with return of Maguire and Keating

The return of Ruairi Keating and Sean Maguire is Cork City planning for the future as any transfer window should be, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 09 Aug 24

'FAI Cup Final week aside, the week's during the European campaign are the most enjoyable part of the season for our players but the bread and butter of the domestic league cannot be neglected'

Europe is exciting but league is the bread and butter

For teams like Shamrock Rovers, balancing the excitement and challenge of qualifying for European group stages with the critical need to secure a top league position is a delicate act, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 02 Aug 24

'Conceding after 28 seconds unfortunately put an instant stop to Damien Duff's pragmatic approach'

Continental shift can help fire Kenny's Pat's project

We have experienced a mixed bag of results in our clubs' European campaigns as the summer progresses, Eoin Doyle assesses the fate of our clubs on the continent.

Soccer • 26 Jul 24

'Drawing inspiration from the NFL model, where commercial revenue is split evenly among clubs while allowing them to retain locally generated income, could be effective'

Commercial break: Time to invest in an independent LOI

In the final instalment of his four-part series on the future funding of football in Ireland, Eoin Doyle makes the case for the League of Ireland breaking away from the FAI.

Soccer • 19 Jul 24

'Considering that football bets now constitute around 30% of all bets made in Ireland, it seems only fair that the sport receives a more equitable share of the betting levy'

Betting levy and welfare fund a good wager for football

In the third in his series on the future funding of football in Ireland, Eoin Doyle looks at a couple of existing revenue sources that work for other sports.

Soccer • 14 Jul 24

'In the coming weeks, this column will explore potential funding sources and innovative approaches to securing the financial support needed to elevate Irish football'

Euro 2024 reminds us future for Ireland could be bleak

Watching Euro 2024 over the past few weeks has been great for any football enthusiast. However, as fulfilling as it has been – who doesn't like watching three games a day - there is that lingering sense of frustration.

Soccer • 28 Jun 24

'The competitive nature of the league this year has set the stage for an exciting second half of the season'

Duff-inspired Shels best in class but Derry a threat

As the League of Ireland Premier Division passes the midpoint and eaches the mid-season break, Eoin Doyle assesses each team.

Soccer • 21 Jun 24

'The presence of League of Ireland academy scouts, looking for hidden gems, adds another layer of significance to these tournaments'

Mini tournaments pave way for love of the game

One of my earliest and fondest memories of playing football goes back to 1994, participating in Firhouse Carmel FC's Mini World Cup - the type of grassroots tournament that makes kids fall in love with the game, strengthens communties and is a breeding ground for raw talent.

Soccer • 14 Jun 24

St Patrick's Athletic's Luke Turner heads his side's first goal past Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Leon Pohls in May

Doyle: Hoops will win league if they reinforce in goal

Former Shamrock Rovers striker Eoin Doyle believes the Hoops will retain their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title if they strengthen in goal.

Soccer • 13 Jun 24

Euro 2024 preview, Ireland v Portugal reaction and LOI

Alan Cawley and Eoin Doyle join Raf Diallo to preview Euro 2024 which will be live to watch across RTÉ platforms, as well as reviewing Ireland's window against Portugal and Hungary, looking ahead to Thursday's LOI fixtures and reacting to Erik Ten Hag staying at Manchester United.

Soccer • 12 Jun 24

'The decision to bring in Daly highlights Dundalk's urgent need for improvement'

Daly appointment could prove clever move Dundalk need

Jon Daly's appointment as Dundalk manager was particularly unexpected but could prove to be an excellent decision by the club, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 31 May 24

'Kenny's decision to join St Pat's likely stemmed more from the allure of this ambitious project than financial incentives'

Realistic Kenny committed to long-term St Pat's project

St Patrick's Athletic have made a huge statement of intent with the appointment of Stephen Kenny as their new manager on a five-and-a-half-year deal, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 24 May 24

'This isn't just about supporters showing up on matchdays, it's about a community that rallies behind its club with unwavering dedication'

Fanbase helps Sligo compete against wealthier rivals

The two remaining fan-owned clubs in the Premier Division meet tonight. Eoin Doyle looks at the unique model of his former club Sligo Rovers.

Soccer • 17 May 24

Stephen Kenny has past history at St Pat's as Under-21 manager between 1997 and 1998

McDonnell: Kenny taking Saints job would be phenomenal

If St Patrick's Athletic are able to appoint Stephen Kenny as their next manager, it would be a "phenomenal" coup for the club, according to former Saints captain and boss Johnny McDonnell.

Soccer • 13 May 24

Meath native Sam Curtis has often been part of matchday squads since signing for Sheffield United in January

Doyle: Curtis's innate drive bodes well after EPL debut

Sam Curtis made his Premier League debut for Sheffield United on Saturday and his former St Patrick's Athletic team-mate Eoin Doyle believes the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has the character to build on his latest breakthrough.

Soccer • 14 May 24

Saint Stephen Kenny? | Curtis' EPL debut and title race

Former St Pat's men Eoin Doyle and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to talk about Stephen Kenny being linked to the Saints vacancy, 16-year-old Mason Melia's impact against Shamrock Rovers, Sam Curtis' Premier League debut for Sheffield United and Arsenal needing a favour from Tottenham.

Soccer • 13 May 24

'The departures of key players created a void that was challenging to fill'

Daly deserved time but St Pat's couldn't afford to wait

Eoin Doyle looks back on the tenure of his former manage Jon Daly at St Patrick's Athletic and the pressure on managers, as well as owners.

Soccer • 10 May 24

'It pains me to admit that strikers may not hold the same paramount importance they once did'

Goals win games, son - whether striker gets them or not

Eoin Doyle looks at the changing face of football, with the old-fashioned goalscorer no longer crucial in securing honours.

Soccer • 03 May 24

LOI development manager Will Clarke during the EA Sports LOI Academy media briefing at FAI headquarters last week

Irish academy system needs to be streamlined - Gartland

Along with a signfiicant increase in funding, Irish football's academy structures will need to be streamlined going into the future, according to former League of Ireland defender Graham Gartland.

Soccer • 30 Apr 24

Irish academy issues | Bayern v Real | LOI review

Graham Gartland and Eoin Doyle join Raf Diallo to discuss the issues around Irish academies amid hopes for investment, preview this week's Champions League semi-finals, review the latest LOI action including a winning start for Noel King, and talk the Premier League title race as Liverpool fade.

Soccer • 29 Apr 24

'The broader implications of King's appointment cannot be ignored'

King accession smacks of nostalgia over proper planning

While there is nothing inherently negative about Noel King or his capabilities - he has a long history in Irish football - the manner and context of his appointment suggests a certain complacency that could hinder Dundalk's ambitions, writes Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 26 Apr 24

'If we go overseas for our new CEO, let it be from nations like Iceland, Croatia or other smaller countries with similar football foundations'

Two LOI men who fit the bill for FAI chief executive

Daniel Lambert and John Martin come from backgrounds which mean wanting better outcomes for Irish football is instinctual and they are achieving this through clever business acumen. They are exactly the type of characters the FAI needs right now.

Soccer • 19 Apr 24

'The biggest thing is their pitch,' says Doyle of Derry City's biggest impediment

Doyle: Imperfect pitch & injuries have held Derry back

The pitch at the Brandywell and a spate of injury issues are the two main factors that have prevented Derry City from pushing on to another level over a longer-term period, according to former St Patrick's Athletic striker Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 16 Apr 24