Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has reiterated his desire to see Caoimhín Kelleher leave Liverpool and become a first-choice goalkeeper elsewhere. The Corkman won his second EPL title two weeks back and is now approaching the end of his sixth first-team campaign with Liverpool where he remains number two behind Brazilian Alisson Becker.
Speaking at a media briefing in Dublin last week the Icelandic-born manager said: ‘‘I just want Caoimhin to go to a club where he will play on a regular level. He has been playing at the highest level, whether it’s the Champions League or the EPL and done really well. I just want him to be happy and play regularly. Caoimhin has spoken about it himself, but I don’t mind where he goes so long as he is playing on a regular bases because he is too good not to be playing.’’
With Gavin Bazunu out injured Kelleher has played in all eight of Hallgrimsson’s games in charge of Ireland. When Bazunu recovered from his achilles injury Southampton allowed him to go out on loan to Belgian club Standard Liege where he injured his knee. Now the manager reckon that Bazunu could miss the June friendlies. He said: ‘‘I am not going to say that Gavin is definitely out of the June games, but we want him ready for the World Cup in September. It was a recurrence of his knee injury, so he needed a small operation.’’ The manager added that two away friendlies provisionally arranged for the Championship players at the end of May, will not now go ahead after one of the opposition had to pull out.
LEEDS TAKE TITLE
Manor Solomon's stoppage-time winner secured Leeds United the Championship title as they won 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle, whose relegation was confirmed on Saturday. Burnley beat Millwall 3-1 and finished the campaign on 100 points, the same as Leeds, who had a superior goal difference. There is speculation that Leeds might replace winning coach Daniel Farke, who some pundits is not good enough to manage in the EPL. After Saturday’s win over Plymouth Farke said: ‘‘It feels pretty good. I want to send my congratulations to Burnley and manager Scott Parker, I think they have done a fantastic job. Of course I am happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and be the best team this season.” Luton Town’s second successive relegation was also confirmed and also dropping down to League One are: Sheffield United, Plymouth Argy and Cardiff City
BIRMINGHAM’S 108
BREAKS RECORD
League One champions Birmingham City last week broke the Football League record for most points in a season with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Blackpool. Goals from Ethan Laird and Alfie May ensured Blues moved on to 108 points for the campaign and beat Reading’s 2005-06 Championship haul of 106 with a game to spare.
Meanwhile Athlone-born Alan Sheehan has been confirmed as Swansea’s new head coach after he impressed during a spell as caretaker manager of the Welsh club.
DROGHEDA LEAD
St. Patrick’s Athletic’s 2-0 home win over Galway United on Friday night coupled with a combination of strange results elsewhere in the league meant the Saints went top of the League of Ireland on Friday night. However, by Monday night they were fourth, following an away 1-0 loss to Derry City, now third, while Drogheda United’s 3-2 home win to Cork City put them top. Shamrock Rovers are second after beating bottom club Sligo Rovers 2-0.
Defending champs Shelbourne, meantime, are moving their home game against Shamrock Rovers on June 13 to the Aviva, which would be an appropriate venue for the so-called Ringsend Derby. The FAI has given the go-ahead and now Shels will be hoping to beat the record attendance of 33,208 set for the Bohs-Rovers derby at the Aviva on the opening day of the season.
