After nine days acclimatizing to the humid Mediterranean climate in Turkey, Irish manager Stephen Kenny will be hoping that his team are in good shape to take on Greece in our Euro 2024 qualifier in Athens on Friday night. Getting three points in Athens might be a big ask for a team that normally struggles to score goals, but it should be easier when Gibraltar visit the Aviva on Monday next.
With so many other sporting events happening it seems a long time ago since we lost 1-0 to France in the Aviva in our opening game for Euro 2024. No doubt the Boys in Green deserved at least a draw that night in Ballsbridge, but we cannot change the result and have to move on.
We have played Greece three times under three different managers and have yet to beat them. Those three games were all friendlies and Friday will be our first-ever competitive meeting. Mick McCarthy was the Irish manager back in April 2000 when Greece visited Lansdowne Road and they won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Lakis. Our first trip to Athens was in November 2002 when Don Givens was the caretaker manager following McCarthy’s resignation. Don gave a first cap to Bohemians striker Glen Crowe in a game that game ended scoreless. When Greece last visited Dublin in November 2012 Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge, but the Greeks won again, this time with a goal from Holebas. So, our record against the Greeks is: played 3, lost 2, drew 1.
Chiedozie Ogbene, who started up front alongside Evan Ferguson against France at the Aviva at the end of March, is injured, so it could be Adam Idah or Michael Obafemi, who will partner the teenage Brighton star up front on Friday. Ferguson has won only four caps and got his first goal against Latvia a few days before the French game. But in recent months the 18-old from Bettystown has developed into one of the most exciting forwards in the EPL. Hopefully, Ferguson’s aerial prowess will make a few scoring opportunities for his colleagues.
Meanwhile we have a 100 percent record against lowly Gibraltar who provide the opposition at the Aviva on Monday. All four of our previous meetings have been Euro qualifiers, including a record 7-0 win for the Ballsbridge venue in October 2014.
EVANS BACK FOR N.I.
Jonny Evans is back in the Northern Ireland 28-man squad for next week’s Euro 2024 qualifiers – vs. Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday and Kazakhstan at Windsor Park on Monday night. Manager Michael O’Neill will once again be relying on youth, with Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Liam Boyce, Josh Magennis, Conor Washington and Shane Ferguson all still sidelined,. Evans, who is out of contract at relegated Leicester City this summer, was unable to add to his 100 caps in March when he was forced to pull out of O’Neill’s first games back in charge of the national team due to a hamstring. O’Neill has included five uncapped players, with a further 15 of the 28 having fewer than 10 caps. In March, Northern Ireland won 2-0 away to San Marino and went down 1-0 against Finland at Windsor Park.
STIFF TEST FOR
MAYO IN CORK
Gaelic football supporters are being selective this year and attendances are low simply because there are too many games. But it should get a bit more competitive after the final round of game in the Sam Maguire Round Robin series which will be played next weekend, all at neutral venues. There is still a lot to play for with the group winners guaranteed a home quarter-final and one team will be dropped from each group after this weekend. And that will be their summer over. In Group One Mayo looked great against Kerry in Killarney, but then Louth almost pulled off a shock when they travelled to Castlebar 10 days ago. On Sunday Mayo play Cork in Limerick and I wouldn’t be surprised if Cork win. The Rebels were excellent against Kerry and I think they could do it. Louth, after defeats to Cork and Mayo, are likely to drop out. Galway, who play Armagh in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday are likely to top Group 2. Dublin, who play Sligo in Cavan on Sunday, are likely to win Group 3 where Kildare or Sligo will drop out. Ulster champions Derry, who play Clare in Longford on Saturday are likely to top Group 4.
The two hurling preliminary quarter-finals will also be played on Sunday. Carlow, the newly crowned Joe McDonagh Cup winners, play Dublin at Dr. Cullen Park, while Tipperary should be much too strong for Offaly in Tullamore.
DUNDALK TO MEET
ROVERS IN 1ST RD
The two most successful clubs in the history of the FAI Cup have been paired against each other in the first round of this year’s competition. Twelve-times winners Dundalk at home to Shamrock Rovers, who have won the Cup 25 times. There will be a Dublin derby of Bohemians and Shelbourne at Dalymount Park. Shelbourne won when the clubs met at Tolka Park in the quarter-final last season and the Reds then beat Waterford in the semi-final to qualify for final where they lost 4-0 to Derry City. The other all-Premier Division fixture sees Drogheda United play Sligo Rovers at Weavers Park. Derry should be too strong for First Division Athlone Town at The Brandywell. There are 12 non-league teams still involved, including Intermediate Cup winners Rockmount, who will play Gorey Rangers. Kerry FC, who are struggling in the LOI first division, will make their FAI Cup debut when Cork non-League club Ringmahon Rangers visit Mounthawk Park in Tralee. All games will be played on week-ending July 23.
O’CONNOR SIGNS
RUGBY CONTRACT
Cork under-20 hurler Ben O’Connor has confirmed that he is leaving hurling behind for a professional contract with the Munster Rugby academy. O’Connor confirmed the news after winning the All-Ireland under 20 final against Offaly in Thurles. O’Connor won the Cork County Championship with St Finbarr’s last year and an All-Ireland minor medal with Cork in 2021. His excellence on the rugby pitch, winning the Munster Schools’ Senior Cup with Presentation Brothers College, attracted interest from his province. After the All-Ireland final win over Offaly O’Connor said: ‘‘I have decided to concentrate on rugby so the game against Offaly was my last hurling game. I was delighted to finish on a high with all my best friends. I couldn’t have picked a better group of lads.’’
