Shamrock Rovers take a two-goal lead to Albania tomorrow, having beaten Albanian club KF Egnetia 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier in Tallaght last week. Graham Burke scored his 16th European goal in Tallaght, breaking the Irish record for most goals in European competitions, which was held by Robbie Keane with 15 goals. If Rovers progress then their next opponents will be Lillestrom from Norway. And if the win that one they are into the Group stages of the Europa League.
Meanwhile in the Conference League Shelbourne have a difficult task when they play Ajax in the second leg of their tie at Tolka Park tomorrow night. Goalkeeper Eddie Beach was brilliant for Shels last week with some great saves in Amsterdam. Ajax were leading 3-0 and in the 58th minute the young Welsh-born ‘keeper saved a penalty from Mika Godts; Shels then pulled a goal back the 80th minute. There was a full house of 50,000 at the Johan Cruyff Arena last week and with safety restrictions the crowd at Tolka Park tomorrow will probably be around 4,000. Bohemians hopes of progressing in the Conference League are slim after they lost 2-0 to Danish club Midtylland in Tallaght last week. The Gypsies will be in action in Jutland in the second leg tomorrow night.
MELIA ON LOAN
TO LINCOLN CITY
Republic of Ireland international Mason Melia last week left Spurs on loan to Championship club Lincoln City. The 18-year-old from Wicklow will link up with fellow Irishmen Josh Honohan and James Collins at the club, who were promoted to the Championship last season. Melia joined Tottenham in January from St Patrick’s Athletic in a deal reported to be €2 million up front, rising to €4 million with add-ons. He made his debut for Spurs in a pre-season friendly in Australia, having won two Irish senior caps at the end of last season.
Meanwhile Jack Moylan left Lincoln last week to join Cardiff City, who are managed by Cork-born Brian Barry-Murphy. Moylan had joined Lincoln from Shelbourne in 2024. Lincoln’s Sporting Director Jez Moxey said: ‘‘It was not our intention to sell Jack in this window, but Jack made it clear that he wanted to pursue this opportunity. ‘‘Every player has their valuation, so once that was agreed, as well as all future contingency payments and our future interest in the player, it was right for Lincoln City to complete the deal.”
Moylan made his Ireland debut under Heimir Hallgrimsson in the end-of-season friendly series, playing in the win over Grenada and then he got an early red card against Qatar at the Aviva.
‘DAILY PROGRESS’
FOR FERGUSON
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says Irish international Evan Ferguson is making ‘‘daily progress’’ in his recovery from the ankle injury that caused the 21-year-old such frustration last season. Ferguson spent the season on loan at Roma, where he scored five goals in 22 games. However, his time Italy ended in March after he required an ankle operation. Ferguson missed Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat to Czechia, and is expected to remain sidelined for the early part of the new season, possibly up until October.
SALAH JOINS
TURKISH CLUB
Mo Salah last week signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor, under which the Egypt-born forward will receive €17 million ($19.6 million) a season, the Turkish club said. The announcement came as Trabzon's fans prepared to head for the club's stadium in the eastern Black Sea city for a ceremony to mark the 34-year-old former Liverpool star’s signing on a free transfer the day after a smiling Salah arrived in Istanbul in the team's burgundy and blue kit.
MAGPIES HIRE
NEW MANAGER
Newcastle United last week confirmed that Matthias Jaissle has replaced Eddie Howe as manager of the Magpies. The 38-year-old met up with the Newcastle players at their pre-season training camp in La Manga last week. Newcastle are understood to have paid significant compensation, reportedly in excess of £9 million, to secure the German’s services. Jaissle won one cap for Germany at under 21 level and began his managerial career with Danish club Brondby. He took over as coach of Austrian club Liefering for one season in 2021, then spent two years with Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Alk Ahli in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Meanwhile Bruno Guimaraes is the latest big name player to leave the Magpies after he joined Arsenal last week for a reported fee of £75 million. The former Newcastle captain made it clear he wanted to join the EPL champions earlier this summer. The 28-year-old Brazil midfielder, who has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, called the move one of the toughest decisions of his life. Guimaraes said: ‘‘This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me. But I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family.’’ The Brazilian became the first captain in seven decades to lift a major domestic trophy for Newcastle after they beat Liverpool to win the League Cup final last year.
UEFA PAID
BOSS’S GF
UEFA confirmed last week that a “departure payment” was made to a female employee who is alleged to have been in a relationship with Gianni Infantino while he was the organifation’s general secretary. The Daily Telegraph in England reported that the woman received a six-figure sum following the alleged relationship with current FIFA president Infantino. In a statement, UEFA confirmed a payment was made along with covering the fees for an MBA course, which it said was ‘‘in line’’ with regulations at the time. Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years and was its general secretary from 2009 before being elected as FIFA president in February 2016. Infantino has found himself under pressure for over a week following a controversial plan to sell stakes to private investors in a company to run the World Cup. The plan was rejected by UEFA and two other continental confederations.
PHILLIPS SCORES
Irish international Killian Phillips was on target again to keep St Mirren on top of the Scottish Premiership for a second Saturday night. Phillips followed up his opening-day double at Falkirk with the only goal from the spot as the Paisley side beat visitors St Johnstone. Goalkeeper Jacob Chapman was the other Buddies hero, saving a spot-kick from Jamie Gullan in the 48th minute. In England Sammie Szmodics who is back with Derby County, scored for the Rams at home to Lincoln City, but the visitors won 2-1.
LYNCH FIRED
BY DERRY CITY
Last week Derry City sacked manager Tiernan Lynch after a poor run of results. Lynch, who won the Irish League in consecutive seasons with Larne, joined the Candystripes in November 2024; they finished second last season, but this season there are stuck in mid-table. Lynch was publicly criticized by former Irish international James McClean, who rejoined Derry in January. City’s Director of Football Mark Connolly took interim charge for their game against Sligo Rovers on Friday and it resulted in a 2-0 win.
LOI results: Derry City 2, Sligo Rovers 0; Galway Utd 0, Drogheda Utd 0; Shamrock Rov. 3, Dundalk 2; Shelbourne 1, St Patrick’s Ath 2; Waterford 3, Bohemians 1.
