It was a very frustrating night for Ireland’s footballers last night. Giovanni Trapattoni’s men under temporary charge of Marco Tardelli slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the first international match at the new Aviva Stadium. What looked like a controversial goal scored by Angel Di Maria on 20 minutes was the only thing that separated the sides after the game Sportspeak caught up with Richard Dunne, Paul Green, Cillian Sheridan & John O’Shea and Argentina’s Jonás Gutiérrez & Pablo Zabaleta.

Ireland's brand new soccer jersey will be on show for all to see on Wednesday against Argentina.

After yesterday’s announcement by Eircom to hang up their sponsorship deal with The Football Association of Ireland after more than 10 years, It was announced this afternoon that one of Ireland’s biggest high speed networks 3 would be the new sponsor for the FAI and all international squads.

The deal will be rolled out over the next 4 years and its estimated worth is €7.5 million. The deal not only sees 3 become the primary sponsor, but it will also be working with football at grass-roots level involving clubs and leagues up and down the country. The new sponsorship affords 3 premium branding rights to include training and playing kits and gear including ticket branding and high visibility pitch-side branding.

Listen to what Giovanni Trapattoni, John Delaney and Robert Finnegan had to say.
 

With over 450,000 participants, football is one of the largest sports in the country and last year 10 of the 20 most watched sports events in Ireland were football events, 9 of which were senior international matches.

Robert Finnegan from 3, John Delaney and Giovanni Trapattoni show off Irelands new soccer jersey in the Aviva stadium.

Robert Finnegan, CEO, 3 said “We are delighted to announce this major sponsorship, and see this as a strong strategic fit for our business to drive awareness of our brand amongst supporters of the number 1 sport in the country”

Many soccer fans will be a little annoyed by this announcement as only months ago the FAI revelled a brand new retro style jersey for 2010/2011, which many people have already bought. John Delaney said he is aware that people will be annoyed over having to fork out more money on a new jersey expected to be out in the Autumn, and has said he will bring in a scheme similar to what Dublin GAA brought in with the release of their new jersey, which allowed fans to trade in their jerseys for new ones.

The 4th August 2010 will always be remembered as the day Manchester United played in the first game in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The scene was set the stadium filled with green seats, quickly turned red and we were about to witness history, with some of the best players in the world playing a League of Ireland selection.

Listen to match reactions from Michael Owen, Namanja Vidic & Johnny Evans.
 

As expected Manchester United threatened early on and it was almost the man who has recieved so much media attention around his off the feild antics, Wayne Rooney who almost scored as he darted past Brian Shelly from Bohemians on the right hand side, Rooney pulled the trigger but just like his form in the world cup, so close but yet so far away.

St Pats net minder Gary Rogers showed exactly why Damien Richardson picked him by pulling off a few fantastic saves from Rooney and one from Gibson but in the 13th minute all that hard work put in by the defense almost went to waste when Rooney put across a ball which seemed well defended by Gavin Peers but he gave it straight to Ji-Sung Park, who riffled it into the back of the net.

The Airtricity side did have one or two chances but none inside the box.

The “Red Devils” put themselves further in front on 25 minutes, once again the partnership between Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney was working very well, Rooney from the right shot but was saved by Rogers in goal but Owen was quick on the rebound and it was 2-0.

From there the Airtricity team really turned it on. Joseph Ndo, the former Cameroon international was causing problems for Uniteds defense, a few clever balls to Killian Brennan and Ryan Guy, but it was clear that only something spectacular from the home side would see them score. A moment of total genius did happen towards the end of the first half which put a mighty smile on the face of Sir Alex Fergeson and brought a massive cheer amongst the fans, it was Ryan Guys spectacular throw in combined with a summersault, he did the same against Bohemians in Tallaght in the Setanta cup a few months back, and the chants “Rory Delap your havin a laugh” were heard right around the stadium aswel as “Sign em up Fergie”

The fans who came to support United, all 44000 of them were certainly getting their moneys worth because the first touches of the second half lead to a third goal. Good work on the right from Valencia through to Chicharito and his very first touch and shot went right into the roof of the net, nothing Rogers could do about it.

United weren’t prepared to let this Airtricity League team have any room or any chance and 3-0 was not enough for Fergeson’s men, and within 15 minutes after the third goal United doubled that lead, and it seemed a little sad that the Irish people were loving the fact that an English team were hammering an Irish side, a sad night for Irish football it had to be said.

The first of those goals from Vanencia, after he dribbled past Powell and finished with aplomb. Another good goal. The second was a great finish from Park after Evans played him in. And the third which was the sixth goal, was from Evans, only had to tap in after sloppy defending from a corner.

On 78 minutes the Airtricity side finally scored allbeit a consolation goal but Dave Mulcahy is the first Irish player to score here. Shelley passed short to him and he finished easily. Great goal which in fareness brought a massive roar around the crowd.

Ofcourse having a 5 goal lead was still not enough and a seventh goal came from the spot. Nani made sure that United kept their 6 goal advantage and a massive beating for this Irish side but they will have learnt from that for a possible next time which wont to our Irish lads any harm 7-1 the final score

Match Details:

Airtricity XI: G Rogers, B Shelly, C Powel, G Peers,K Peers,K Oman,S Williams, P Keegan,P Madden,J Ndo,K Brennan,R Guy SUBS; G Doherty,G O’Brien, C Kenna,R Ryan,D Mulcahy,K Sheppard

Manchester United: T Kuszczak, J Evans, C Smalling, N Vidic, J O’Shea(C),A Valencia,M Carrick, D Gibson, J-S Park,W Rooney, M Owen; B Amos, Nani,D Fletcher, Chicharito, D Berbatov

Referee: Alan Kelly (Dublin)

Attendance: 49,861

Sporting Fingal left it very late to salvage a point in the Morton Stadium against Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers, but if it wernt for the many mistakes from Fingal it could have been 3 points, but a cracking game none the less.

Sporting Fingal came into todays Dublin derby with Shamrock Rovers in need reigniting their league campaign following last weeks draw with St Patricks Athletic and the previous weeks loss to Drogheda United. Shamrock Rovers knew that 3 points were needed to stay up there with St Pats but needed to take it easy so Michael O Neill would have a fully fit squad heading to Italy for their Europa League second leg tie with Juventus.

The opening 10 minutes were very quiet from both sides. Fingal got the first chance after 2 Minutes when Gary O Neill had a shot going in but it was fingertiped over the bar by Alan Manus in the goal. Fingal were patient in those opening stages and that paid off on 11 minutes, when O Neill floated a nice ball to eamon Zayed who had no difficulty in putting it past Manus for the opening goal.

A minute or two later the Tallaght men had nearly leveled the score when James Chambers found himself with plenty of space on the halfway line and ran through to the box, Quigley had come out of his goal to the edge of the area, Chambers tried to curl it around him but it just went wide.

Rovers equalized on 34 minutes Craig Sives volleyed in from a James Chambers corner after Ger O'Brien was forced to concede the corner following a James Chambers free in. A great goal and just what what they needed too.
That goal seemed to calm down any nerves but in saying that it seemed to kill off the half aswel, there wasnt anything spectacular to report and very few chances either. Michael O Neill will have been happy with his teams attitude going into the break considering their bumper week which includes a home game with Bohemians next Sunday in Tallaght, after of course the second leg tie with Juventus.

Sporting Fingal started the second half very well, they were once again patient and wernt giving away the ball and on 50 minutes it once again paid off, Ronan Finn had a cracking shot saved by Manus, but the Hoops keeper stumbled it and Gary O'Neill got on the ball and lashed it into the back of the net to put fingal 2-1 up, massive mistake from Manus. O Neill was proving instrumental setting up chances aswel as the first Fingal goal. On 62 minutes after scoring his goal O Neill set up Zayed again but he hit it just wide of the post but defiantly had Manus beaten in the goal could have and really should have been 3-1.
Fingal will be asking questions about why their final touch wasnt working, especially on 76 minutes, as the rain was pouring down in Santry Conan Byrne found himself in trouble so he passed back to Shaun Williams, who couldn't control it. Gary Twigg robbed him of the ball and raced in for a cool finish to level the sides once more.

Despite it being a horrible day weather wise, it was turning out to be a great day for Rovers. Fingal on 80 minutes were badly punished for letting the hoops have too much procession, Rice with a great goal. He shot low from outside the box into the far left corner and Quigley couldn't reach it. 3-2 Rovers. This was nothing more than Rovers deserved and it looked like a Fingal comeback was unlikely.

Or was it… on 86 minutes Ronan Finn burst into the area and fired a shot past Manus in the goal, it appeared like Manus didnt know where the ball was, great goal but very sloppy goal keeping to help ensure atleast a point for Liam Buckleys men.

Sporting Fingal: D Quigley, G O'Brien, L Fitzgerald, S Williams, K Browne, E Zayed, C Byrne, R Finn, G O'Neill, A Kirby, S McFaul SUBS B Gannon, O Cahill,G Crowe, K Dawson, B Clarke

Shamrock Rovers: A Mannus, A Price, C Sives, D Murray, E Stevens, R Bayly, C Turner, P Kavanagh, G Twigg, T Stewart SUBS; D Murphy, B Dennehy, S Rice, S Bradley, P Jennings

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

Attendance 1433

 
Drogheda United picked up only a 7th win of the season at the Morton Stadium this evening thanks to a 2-1 win over Sporting Fingal, in a game which saw 3 goals, 3 red cards and more importantly for Drogheda, 3 points they so badly needed for new coach Brian Donnelly.

Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley rang in the changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Portuguese outfit Maritimo last week. Infarct Buckley made 8 changes in total for this league game against depleted Drogheda United. Conan Byrne playing his 107th game on the trot was amongst those who kept their place in Fingal's starting team.

The opening stages were in one word, awful. Drogheda had the first chance through a free kick  after Colm James brought down Mick Daly 10 yards away from the box. The free was terrible as McMahon shot straight over the bar. Fingal themselves had a chance on 3 minutes, keeper Paul Skinner mis-kicked a Clarence, Conan Byrne took it off him, Byrne tried to shoot but the ball was taken off him and cleared well.

A very dull and boring opening period was sparked into life on 18 minutes. Eamon Zayed, Fingals leading scorer scored, after Eoghan Osbourne failed to clear a ball at the edge of the box, Zayed dispossessed him and shot past Paul Skinner. Assistant referee Martin Maloney failed to spot that Zayed was offside, but thats no surprise as no League of Ireland game is complete without a howler decision from a referee or linesman!

Peter McMahon had a number of chances to draw the drogs back level. On 24 minutes, he slid a ball down for John Flood to chase, McMahon worked himself into the box ready for the cross but his shot went well wide of the post. He made up for all his chances and misses on 39 minutes after he got his team level after Colm James tried to challenge John Flood but before he could make the challenge Flood had it away to McMahon who fired past Darren Quigley in goal.

Just before half time Sporting Fingal were reduced to 10 men. Keith Quinn fouled Alan McNally, it was quite a harsh sending off as the referee didn't realise he had already been booked  until after he gave him the yellow card, the referee had no other choice to produce the red card.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were equally as bad the the opening stages of the first, but on 59 minutes it was a case of shoulda, woulda and coulda as Mick Daly  put in a lovely ball for Glen Fitzpatrick who almost had the ball in the net but Quigley got a slight touch to keep it out and Conan Byrne fired ashot out of the box to clear a real chance that brought a glimmer of hope to the strong enough travelling support down.

It just wasnt looking like Drogheda's day, the post denied Fitzpatrick, but it came back to the hands of Quigley, but he must have thought the ball had gone in and he almost dropped it over the line but just centimeters from the line he managed to keep it in play.

Liam Buckley was clearly desperate for the 3 points so he took off Conan Byrne and Olie Cahil who clearly wernt going to get the winner for the home side. Former gypsie Glen Crowe who scored in the Europa League qualifying game last week made way for Cahil and Alan Kirby.

On 77 minutes the hope that one of Buckleys subs would score almost happened. Alan Kirby raced onto a ball from Glen Crowe, Kirby  took it himself into the box where Crowe was waiting but he decided to go himself but Paul Skinner had a comfortable save.

With about 10 minutes to go Drogheda themselves were reduced to 10 men after John Flood fouled Kevin Dawson right at the edge of the area, flood got his second yellow and it was 10 on 10. Alan Kirby took the free which was deflected wide and out for a corner. Before the corner was taken referee Derek Tomney was called over to the Drogheda dugout by his fourth official and a red card was shown to sub Damien Brennan for what could only be as a result of hurling abuse at the officials.

Just as the game was coming to an end on the 87th minute Drogheda scored, after a bit of messing about out side the box between Mick Daly and Glen Crowe, Alan Mc Nally  out of no where worked free with the ball and put it in the net to silence the Fingal fans, 2-1 Drogheda and this was looking like a vital 3 points for the Louth side who were second from bottom going into this game.

Right at the death it was last chance saloon for Fingal from  a corner from Alan Kirby which was headed to Williams who tried to controll it and as he went to shoot he kicked Mick Daly and the ref awarded the free to Drogheda and that was indeed the last play of the game 3 points Drogheda needed but still remain  second from bottom, Sporting Fingal who play Maritimo on Thursday in Dalymount Park stay 4th on 33 points and really needed to win to take some momentum into that game 2-1 the final score.

Sporting Fingal: D Quigley, C James, J Frost, S Williams, B Gannon, K Browne, C Byrne, K Quinn, E Zayed, K Dawson, O Cahil SUBS; L Fitzgerald, A Kirby, G Crowe, B Clarke, G O Brien

Drogheda United: P Skinner, C Treacy, A McNally, E McGill, D Meehan, J Flood, E Osbourne, M Daly, G Fitzpatrick, R Brennan, P McMahon SUBS; P Murphy, D Brennan, J Duffy, R McEntegert, K Ross

Bohemians prepare for a double header this weekend as Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park for a vital Airtricity Premier Division clash on Friday evening, quickly followed by a friendly against Premiership side Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

After defeating T.N.S. 1-0 on Tuesday night, manager Pat Fenlon is well aware that Sligo Rovers, who lie just three points behind Bohs in the league table, are sure to provide a stern test for his team.

Dalymount Park hasn’t been a fortress so far for Bohs having won just three of nine home games but six away wins from ten has kept the side in the hunt to reclaim their Premier Division crown.

Bohemians will again be without long term injury victims Anto Murphy and Stephen Gray who both remain out with Achilles problems. Aaron Greene has had a scan and treatment on an ankle injury but may miss out again on Friday. Gareth McGlynn will return to the squad having missed the game with TNS due to suspension.

Saturday sees Mick McCarthy’s Wolves side visit Dalymount Park for a friendly. McCarthy has been manager of the Premiership side since 2006 and has brought in several Irish players, including Kevin Foley, Andy Keogh and star striker Kevin Doyle, who made 34 appearances for the club last season.

Ex-Bohemian Stephen Ward has made 90 league starts with the first team since joining in January 2007 though he has problems with a knee injury. Ward will make the trip with the team home to Dublin even if he is not fit to play.

Sportspeak’s Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher caught up with Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.
 

As Sportspeak  successfully scooped the rest to tell you  that Roy Hodgson is now the successor to Shankly. The job at Anfield is like being appointed Pope- a hugely faithful congregation must be satifsfied & if Roy gets it right he will be deified. Bob McKenzie rubs his crystal ball in with Lynsey Dolan on Country Mix’s Dublin’s Talking Morning show.
 

Sportspeak’s Bob McKenzie is spreading the gospel & he spoke to Lynsey Dolan on Country FM’s Dublin’s talking programme this morning.

As usual it was entertaining stuff as Bob predicted the final shake out of the World Cup.
 

Dublin took their first All-Ireland Under 21 title since 2003 thanks to a one goal and 10 points, to one goal and eight points win over Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park last night.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin told Cóilín Duffy that it was a real squad effort.

After this afternoons 1-1 draw between Sporting Fingal and Shamrock Rovers, Sportspeak’s Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher caught up with Rovers manager Michael O’Neil who expressed his frustration at how his team played and also some refereeing decisions too.