Tonight Bohemians put in a really hard fought display beating new boys Sporting Fingal by just a single goal to nil, Bohemians were handed a massive lifeline late on when referee Derek Tomney proved the FAI have no good referees and pointed to the spot after it appeared Anto Murphy was taken off the ball in the box, this was not the case. Killian Brennan stood up and put it in the net and gave the champions a nervy 3 points in front of a capacity crowd in Dalymount Park.

After the game Sportspeak’s chief soccer hack Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher caught up with Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley, Goal scorer Killian Brennan and Bohs manager Pat Fenlon.

Newly-promoted Sporting Fingal face the ultimate test on Friday night when they open their Airtricity League top-flight campaign at title holders Bohemians.

The meeting of the reigning Premier Division and FAI Ford Cup champions presents a number of intriguing sub-plots, not least the return of Fingal’s close-signing Glen Crowe to the club he helped win back-to-back titles. It’s also the first-ever meeting of the clubs in any competition and will be broadcast live by RTE Two. Fingal manager Liam Buckley is understandably excited about making the short trip to Dalymount, abeit conscious of the quality possessed by the Gypsies. He said: “This is the stage where we want to be and our lads are geared up for this test. We’ve prepared well in pre-season by playing five friendly matches and all eight new signings have featured at some point in those. We’ve kept the bulk of last season’s squad together which was fairly young as the average age of our FAI Ford Cup final side was 24. “Therefore, it was vital we added some top-flight experience to the group and, in the regard, I’ve been delighted with the acquisitions of Glen Crowe, Shane Barrett and Ger O’Brien. “Our aim during this first foray into the Premier Division is to consolidate. Friday night’s game must be kept in context as we finished third in the First Division last season whereas Bohs have been the top side in the Premier for the last two years.

Equally, Fingal winger Conan Byrne is looking forward to the game. He said: “Dalymount Park is the home of football in Ireland with probably the best surface across the country and any player would relish the opportunity of lining out against the Champions. “We have to play Bohs four times in the league anyway, so the timing of the fixture is irrelevant for us in my opinion. “We just want to go there and give a good account of ourselves. Last year, we overcome top-flight sides Drogheda United, Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers in Cup matches but this is a much bigger proposition.”

In team news, John Frost is the only absentee due to a calf strain. The defender resumed full training ten days ago but is still short of match-fitness.

This week Sportspeak’s Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher spoke exclusively to Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley.
 

 
Brazil produced a breath-taking second-half performance as they ran-out 2-0 winners over the Republic of Ireland in their friendly international at the Emirates Stadium. Giovanni Trapttoni’s side upstaged their more illustrious opponents for the majority of the opening half, with Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and Kevin Doyle all forcing good saves from Julio Cesar. But the South American giants took the lead just before the break when Robinho was adjudged to be on-side and his low cross was deflected past Shay Given by Keith Andrews. Ireland were second-best for the rest of the game, with Kaka, Dani Alves and Robinho running their opponents ragged. They created a number of goal-scoring chances, but only manged to convert one of them as Robinho bagged the man-of-the-match award when he applied the finish to a scintillating attacking move. The only silver-lining for Giovanni Trapattoni was the international debut for James McCarthy, who came off the bench in the second-half to win his first cap. After the game Glen Whelan and Kevin Doyle gave their opinions on the match.

 
This Friday night the new Airtricity League will begin with games taking place right across the country, among the games taking place is a massive clash between League and EA Sports Cup Champions Bohemians and FAI Cup Champions and new Premier side Sporting Fingal. Today Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon Spoke Exclusively to Sportspeak’s chief Soccer Correspondent Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher on how his preparations are going for Friday’s big opener.

 
DCU captain Paddy Andrews spoke to Sportspeak’s Cóilín Duffy after his sides 1-11 to 0-10 Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup final win over UCC in Leixlip this afternoon.

DCU led by 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time, and despite David Goold and Seamus Hayes being influential on the restart for UCC a 40th minute goal from Meath’s Brian Sheridan kept DCU ahead and take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

 
This Saturday Ireland will face England in a crucial RBS Six Nations match in Twickenham. Sportspeak caught up with Jamie Heaslip who admitted that whether or not its a competitive game every player wants to be in a team to face England and that whether people like rugby or not, it’s the one game everyone in the country will be interested in watching. He also spoke of his excitement about playing Twickenham.

 
Donncha O’Callaghan has returned to full fitness and has been named in Declan Kidney’s team to play England on Saturday. He told Sportspeak that he was delighted and honoured to be back playing in a green jersey. Donncha also spoke about his long time friend and team mate John Hayes who joins the ranks of rugby’s test centurions. O’Callaghan  told Sportspeak that Hayes “Would rather be off milking his cows” than being the centre of attention;

 
Ireland head coach Declan Kidney yesterday made four changes from the side who were hammered by France. for this weekends must win game with England. Donncha O’ Callaghan comes back into the team for the first time this year meaning Leo Cullen drops to the bench. Rory Best comes in at hooker for the suspended Jerry Flannery. Jonathan Sexton wins the number 10 shirt after his impressive performance for Leinster on Saturday, meaning O’ Gara drops to the bench. Finally on the Bench is Connachts Sean Cronin who has been named for the first time in the Six Nations Championship. Kidney explains his selections.

 
This Saturday Ireland will face England in the Six Nations in Twickenham, and Irish captain Brian O Driscoll spoke about the importance of putting the thrashing at the hands of France out of his mind. He also spoke about his team mate John Hayes winning his 100th cap for Ireland.

 
Giovanni Trapattoni, has named a 23-man squad to face Brazil in the Emirates Stadium on 2 March.

Trapattoni has called-up uncapped Marc Wilson (Portsmouth), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City) and James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic) for the clash with Brazil. However, there is no place for ex-Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy.

The squad will face a full strength Brazil side as Dunga and his players prepare for this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

Speaking today Giovanni Trapattoni said: ‘I look forward to working with my squad again after the disappointment of Paris. ‘The priority now is to build on the progress made during the last campaign and prepare ourselves over the coming months mentally and tactically for an important Euro campaign.’

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Manchester City), Keiren Westwood (Coventry City), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United).

Defenders: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Kevin Kilbane (Hull City), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Sean St Ledger (Preston North End), Paul McShane (Hull City), Marc Wilson (Portsmouth), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Damien Duff (Fulham), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Hunt (Hull City), Liam Lawrence (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic).

Forwards:Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Robbie Keane (Celtic), Shane Long (Reading), Leon Best (Newcastle United).