Lockdown Football – Mick OUT, Kenny IN

Stephen Kenny’s appointment as Ireland manager has been brought forward by shock news tonight that Mick McCarthy is stepping down after 18 months in charge.

The move has been accelerated by the halt to European football caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Ireland were due to visit the Czech Republic last week for their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final, with the final away to Northern Ireland or Bosnia – but this has been bumped to the summer at the earliest.

We have reaction to the news from football commentators Will Downing (Virgin Media Sport, Premier Sports, ESPN Africa), Mark Rodden (Premier Sports, ESPN Africa), former Shelbourne and Dundalk midfielder Stephane Jauny (ESPN Africa, Fox Sports Africa), and Dmytro Dzhulai (Setanta Ukraine and Eurasia) in our first Lockdown Football podcast.

Setanta Sports Cup Club-by-Club 2005-2013

Setanta Sports Cupdate 22/4/13

Another dramatic semi-finals night with Cork City seemingly scoring a late winner against Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross only for Shamrock Rovers to score an even later leveller to send them through to the May 11 Final on away goals.

Some key lines from last night – 

Shamrock Rovers’ late late equaliser at Turner’s Cross was the eight time in 14 games this season Cork City have conceded after the 85th minute (h/t @trevorcarey1982)

Sligo Rovers’ 1-0 win over Drogheda was their first in the #SSCup over #LOI opposition, but still lost the tie overall.

Daryl Kavanagh is now outright top scorer in the #SSCup this season on four goals.

Five of the all-time top 20 #SSCup scorers are still in the competition – Mark Quigley, Gary O’Neill, Thomas Stewart, Billy Dennehy, Ciaran Kilduff (all ShamR)

Denis Behan and Peter Thompson remain as joint top scorers on 11 goals, and pnly Mark Quigley on 10 can realistically surpass them this season.

Shamrock Rovers’ two draws against Cork City are the only two they’ve ever had in the competition.

Drogheda United are through to their third final – a new record. They’ve won the previous two.

Drogheda are also the only club to win the competition more than once – in 2006 and 2007.

 

Setanta Sports Cupdate 16/4/13

Semi-finals night in the Setanta Sports Cup tonight (first legs). Shamrock Rovers v Cork City is the live game at 7:30, with Drogheda United hosting Sligo Rovers at 7:45.

Some random notes ahead of tonight –

Shamrock Rovers and Cork City have never met in the competition before, neither have Drogheda United or Sligo Rovers.

Denis Behan is joint top all-time scorer alongside Peter Thompson on 11 goals, but hasn’t scored in the comp since 2008.

Mark Quigley on 10 goals is one behind Behan and Thompson.

It’s Cork’s 34th #SSCup tie tonight – only Glentoran and Linfield have played more.

Three of the fourth sides playing tonight are in a joint record fourth #SSCup semi-final – Cork City, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda.

Shamrock Rovers record against LOI clubs: P5 W4 D0 L1 Gls8-4

Cork City’s record against LOI clubs: P12 W5 D3 L4 Gls12-9

Drogheda United’s record against LOI clubs: P10 W4 D4 L2 Gls8-8

Sligo Rovers’ record against LOI clubs: P5 W0 D1 L4 Gls5-12

 

Club records in the Setanta Sports Cup for the four semi-finalists