This weekend, Blackpool go in search of their second Premier League victory following last weeks 4-0 opening day win over Wigan, but their task will be far tougher than last week as they travel to Emirates Stadium to meet Arsenal.

Elsewhere during the second round of matches for the new campaign, Spurs will aim for better form than their midweek European display when they head to Stoke City, champions Chelsea face already worrying Wigan Athletic while Fulham manager Mark Hughes locks horns with his former club Manchester United in the weekend’s final clash.

Sportspeak’s chief soccer reporter Dan “Pitchside” Pitcher has this report.
 

The Football Association of Ireland today (August 20^th) announced that Shane Duffy has been declared eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland.

The FIFA Player Status Committee passed its decision today to allow the player represent the national team of the FAI. Having considered the submission made by the FAI and the request from the player, the Single Judge of the Player Status Committee concluded that Shane Duffy is eligible to play for the FAI based on his Irish Nationality and the fact he had never represented the IFA’s association team at ‘A’ International Level previous to the application.

Bohemians travel to Oriel Park this evening looking to build on Tuesday’s encouraging 2-0 win against Bray Wanderers. They face a Dundalk team who, on the same evening, lost to local rivals Monaghan United in the EA Sports Cup semi-final.

Having made five changes to the starting line-up for the Bray match, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon does not expect to be making further changes for Friday unless fitness tests rule out Raffaele Cretaro, Ken Oman and Brian Shelley, all of whom are carrying knocks. Steven Gray and Anto Murphy remain sidelined through long-term injuries. 

Fenlon was pleased with the team’s performance against Bray, particularly in the first half. He believes he is closer to identifying why the team has not secured victories when it has dominated matches. “There are still a few things we have to put right. We have to keep the players focused on the job of winning football matches. We got the points on Tuesday and we have to make sure of them on Friday.”

But Fenlon warns that ”it’s never easy going to Oriel, we’ve had some tough games against them over the last few years and it’ll be no different on Friday.” Bohs have met Dundalk twice in the league this season, losing 1-0 in Oriel Park but being comprehensive 3-0 winners in Dalymount Park.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad will be unchanged from their recent 5-0 win over Estonia when they travel to Switzerland and Turkey for the final matches of the 2011 UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign.
 
The Young Boys in Green face Switzerland on September 3rd before taking on Turkey on September 7th. With recently-appointed Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Noel King taking charge of the Women’s Under-17s at the FIFA World Cup finals, the Under-21 side will be managed by FAI International High Performance Director Wim Koevermans.
 
Koeverman today named an unchanged squad from that which defeated Estonia 5-0 at Tallaght Stadium earlier this month, with senior international caps Eddie Nolan, Stephen Gleeson, James McCarthy, Cillian Sheridan and Anthony Stokes all included.
 
Koevermans said: “These are the final two matches of the campaign, and while we can’t qualify for the European Championships, we want to end the campaign on a positive note. We showed against Estonia what this team is capable of, so we want to go to Switzerland and Turkey and put in the same kind of performance. Switzerland and Turkey are the top two teams in the group so it will be a difficult challenge, but the players will approach these matches determined to do themselves justice.
 
“I am taking charge of the team for these two matches while Noel King is managing the Women’s Under-17s at the FIFA World Cup finals. Having helped to get the girls to the World Cup finals, it was important that Noel was given the opportunity to manage the team at the tournament. I know I speak for the Under-21 players, as well as everybody involved with Irish football, when I wish Noel and the girls the very best of luck at the FIFA World Cup.”
 
Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad v Switzerland & Turkey
 

Stephen Henderson

Shane Redmond
Seamus Coleman
Eddie Nolan
Gavin Gunning
Brendan Moloney
Rob Kiernan
Lanre Oyebanjo
Stephen Gleeson
Conor Hourihane
Owen Garvan 
James McCarthy
Conor Clifford
Alan Judge 
Cillian Sheridan
Aaron Doran
Anthony Stokes

Joe Mason

Sportspeak understands that former Derry City star & now Glasgow Celtic winger Paddy McCourt is available after recovering from the neck injury he suffered in the league victory over Inverness. McCourt sustained whiplash during his goal celebrations after netting the winner at the Caledonian Stadium. New signing Daniel Majstorovic is in line to make his début as a replacement for the suspended Jos Hooiveld. Emilio Izaguirre has completed his move to Celtic but was not signed in time to face the Dutch.

Celtic Squad: Zaluska, Loovens, Cha Du-Ri, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, McCourt, Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Samaras, Fortune, Juarez, Maloney, Murphy, Kayal, Cervi, Misun, Ki.

Sportspeak’s Spanish sources say that Real Madrid have completed the signing of Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil from Werder Bremen.  The 21-year-old was in outstanding form during Germany’s run to the semi-finals, and had attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.The two clubs are believed to have agreed a fee of about €15m for a player with one year left on his Bremen contract.

Madrid are set to unveil him at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.

A statement on the Real website paid fulsome tribute to Ozil’s qualities. “His unique touch, unmatched individual technique, excellent ball control and deadly last pass make the German midfielder one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in European football,” read the statement. Ozil, who follows his Germany team-mate Sami Khedira to the Bernabeu, joined Werder Bremen from Schalke in 2008, winning the DFB Cup and finishing as a runner-up in the UEFA Cup.”We respect that Mesut wants to go and take the next step in his career,” said Werder Bremen’s director of sport Klaus Allofs.

Ozil won the European Under-21 title with Germany in 2009, and made his début for the senior national side in the same year. He quickly established himself in Joachim Loew’s plans and was one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup, making the short-list for the player of the tournament. Ozil scored a memorable goal in the group stages against Ghana but it was in his role as a creator that he really shone, laying on numerous opportunities for his team-mates as they brushed England and Argentina aside on their way to the last four. In the second round against England, Ozil was in devastating form as a youthful Germany team put their bitter rivals to the sword, and he continued in the same vein against Argentina in the quarter-finals.

The left-footer has become new Real coach Jose Mourinho’s sixth major signing of the summer, following Khedira, former Chelsea star Ricardo Carvalho, Spanish duo Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales and Argentina’s Angel di Maria.

Bohemians 2-0 Bray Wanderers
(Cretaro 34,84)

The word win has never ever been a more important word to Bohemians Football club and they knew that heading into this tie and they have sent their supporters home with smiles on their faces something thats not been done in weeks beating Bray Wanderers 2-0 at Dalymount Park.

Sligo native Raffaele Creataro did enough to secure the desperately needed points with first and second half goals for the Champions, who were having an awful time lately, losing 2-0 to 9 man Galway on Friday and the 3-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.

Gypsies boss Pat Fenlon made five changes from the team that lost to Galway United. Those changes included bringing Conor Powell who had been sidelined over the last number of weeks. Paddy Madden returned to the starting line-up partnering Raffaele Cretaro up front and Ken Oman returned as well.

Despite being rooted to the bottom of the table Bray seem to have improved since Eddie Gormley’s departure. They had won just two games under his guidance this season and now they look like a rejuvenated team.

Bohs started the game well, full of purpose and determination. This though, was to be another night where the Champions create tonnes of chances but still had massive trouble finishing them. The first chance of the game fell to Paul Keegan, who had his shot blocked Dave Webster and then moments later Paddy Madden saw his header fly right over Matt Gregg’s crossbar after a lovely cross from captain Owen Heary.

Even though the Gypsies had a fine start they were almost punished for not putting away their chances after 20 minutes. John Mulroy from the right hand side allowed Shane O’Neill to shoot with a wonderful crack of the ball, but he was denied by a fantastic save from former Bray man Chris O’Connor.

Bohs finally made good of their chances in the 31st minute after Ken Oman’s header sent Cretaro clear 1 on 1 with Gregg and the ball was in the back of the Bray net. Great header from Oman, that type of creativity was missed at Dalymount Park over the last number of weeks.

Bray to their credit came out the better side in the second half. On 56 minutes it really should have been 1-1, Derek Prendergast found himself unmarked following a corner, but he couldn’t direct his header downwards.

Bray pushed on from there and Jake Kelly had two wonderful chances within minutes of each other, to bring the visitors level. The first came following a cross on the right that found Massey, he then found Kelly but somehow the 21-year-old somehow managed to miss. Only moments later, he was denied by O’Connor who made a fantastic save.

For all of Bray’s chances, they were punished for not taking then right at the death, Raffaele Cretaro, who totally wasted one or two shots mid way through the half wrapped up all 3 points for the champions. He met a cross from Gareth McGlynn on the right and turned it towards goal, it did take a slight deflection from Shane O Connor but none of the Bohs fans cared. A MASSIVE sigh of relief for Bohs supporters but for the few Bray fans who travelled, more agony.

Bohs saw out the rest of the game quite comfortably and move back to third in the table but they are still five points off leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Bohemians: C O’Connor, O Heary, C Powell, G Cronin, B Shelley, K Oman, G Burke, P Keegan, P Madden, K Brennan, R Cretaro SUBS; M Rossiter, J Byrne, M Quigley, G McGlynn, B Murphy

Bray: M Gregg, D Webster, S Houston, S O’Connor, D Prendergast, G Dempsey, D Zambra, D O’Connor, S O’Neill, J Mulroy, J Kelly SUBS; C Tresson, I Tuohy, J Kavanagh, C Shields, D Massey

Sportspeak understands that Nicolas Anelka has been banned for 18 matches by the French Football Federation (FFF) over his conduct at this summer’s World Cup.

The Incredible sulk was sent home from South Africa after a row with coach Raymond Domenech and, in protest, the France squad boycotted a training session. Patrice Evra was captain of the team and has been banned for five matches for his part in the revolt. Franck Ribery has been suspended for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one. Eric Abidal made up the five players who were summoned to the FFF disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and he escaped punishment.

The quintet were highlighted as the key players in the embarrassing controversy which surrounded the French team at the World Cup following Anelka’s outburst at Domenech. Evra and Ribery were summoned for not performing their duties properly as captain and vice-captain, while Toulalan was seen as the perpetrator behind a statement read out by Domenech explaining why the players had refused to train.

Abidal’s offence was his refusal to play in the final group match. Anelka did not show up at the disciplinary hearing and his international career now appears to be all but over.

Ribery was also an absentee but his club Bayern Munich did not allow him to attend with the Bundesliga starting its season this weekend and the German champions facing Wolfsburg in their opening game on Friday.

The pair sent representatives, while Evra, Toulalan and Abidal were present for the lengthy hearing, along with Domenech.

Former deputy managing director of the team Jean-Louis Valentin said: “I sensed that the players are truthfully sorry, and been left damaged and mortified at what took place, they were conscious of a collective meltdown. I believe that now it is imperative we turn the page and move on.I believe that to a certain extent there has been a very good dialogue in there (at the commission) which lasted a relatively long time. As a lover of the French team, and as a supporter of the France team, I think that each player has the right to a second chance.”

Domenech has been replaced by Laurent Blanc and he did not select any of the 23-man World Cup squad for his recent first game in charge against Norway, which France lost 2-1.The FFF has also withheld World Cup advertising bonuses which were due to be paid to players. Blanc will now be without the banned players for the team’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, starting against Belarus in Paris on 3 September.

8 impressive trys secured a comprehensive victory for the England Lionhearts over Ireland Wolfhounds on Saturday evening at Young Munster Rugby Club in Rugby Leagues 4 Nations competition.

The Wolfhounds started brightly and almost went in for the first score of the afternoon on 6 minutes. In a movement that started with great control from Rob Stapleton, Brian Flanagan found himself with plenty of room and was almost over for the try but he knocked on short of the line and the opportunity was lost.

It didn’t take long for the Lionhearts to respond from the early pressure from the Irish and they themselves created a great try scoring chance in a move that started with some great ball through the hands from Dan Gregory to Barry Walker who rather impressively passed it out wide for Jimmy Baldwin who was forced out into touch by the Irish defence.

The pressure kept coming from the visitors and were awarded for their patience 2 minutes later, once again Dan Gregory was proving decisive running most of the pitch on his own before offloading to Alex Rigby securing the first try of the evening which was converted by Gregory.

The English were then piling on the pressure and credit to the Irish they were making all the big hits they needed to keep the Lionhearts at bay, The Irish were also forcing some errors and were creating some good chances themselves, but it was the final touch that was letting them down, and it seemed every time there was a scoring chance the ball was knocked on.

20 minutes into the game the Lionhearts had registered their second try of the day, Ireland’s defence let up on the halfway line and Barry Walker ran almost un opposed for the line, a great try which was converted again by Gregory.

From there the English really switched it on and their experience proved. Only 2 minutes later The Lionhearts had yet another try, Rob Masson went over after a fine dummy pass from Jimmy Baldwin, this time Gregory did not convert.

Just on the approach to half time Ireland were in with a shout of securing their first try, Wayne Kelly almost went over after some great movements from the Irish but he was forced out into touch and another fine Irish opportunity was gone.

Right before the break England registered another try, Ollie O’Mara ran a good 10 yards before finally offloading to Jack Claydon who went over for the try, Gregory once again converted. Irelands Wolfhounds were showing complacency at times and the inexperience was showing, an inspiring half time talk from the new coach was needed as England went into the break leading 22-0

The Wolfhounds came out in the second half showing more signs of determination to score and were almost straight away in for a try, Stuart Lee and Richie Jones doing very well to get the Irish into a good position. However the English turned over that Irish chance and right from the counter attack ran in another try. Barry Walker running totally un opposed and another fine try from the well experienced English.

The best move of the evening came right after that from the Irish. Some great phases and ball through the hands but once again that in experience was showing as they couldn’t finish their chances, the English turned the ball over and Alex Rigby ran in for what looked like a definite try but the referee Neil Aspey ruled that the ball had been lost forward and Wayne Kelly was straight in to gather the ball and The Wolfhounds were straight back on the counter attack. Wayne did very well to get  out of the danger zone and managed to get the ball away to Brian Flannagan who ran in a fantastic try, great effort which was converted by Stuart Lee and it was good to see Ireland finally had points on the board.

A heroic comeback looked on moments later, Flannagan from the half way line offloaded to Andy Todd who ran straight over for the try. Another fine movement and attack from the Irish and it was again converted by Lee.

Perhaps from there The Wolfhounds got too over confident after scoring two trys in quick succession, they let their defence slip midway through the second half and England were in for yet another try, Dan Gregory was having a fantastic game and he was awarded for that with a try of his own which he then converted.

The Lionhearts scored two more trys late on to kill off the game, if it wasn’t already dead beforehand. The first of which coming from Andy Gray, no not the sky sports reporter, but the try was not converted by Gregory. The second and last try came from Dan Stubbs after a great few phases of play converted by Gregory and thats where the game came to an end.

A very brave performance from the Irish considering some of the in experience in the team and also the new coach but the English experience really proved and deserved every try they got. The Final score 44-12.

The Football Association of Ireland unveiled that beer brand Carling as the sponsor if the inaugural Carling Nations Cup which will see the Republic of Ireland take on Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the brand new Aviva Stadium early next year.

The Nations Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday February 8 2011, will be the first senior international tournament hosted in Ireland and marks a significant investment by Carling.

The new tournament will be played in a league format with six matches between the four neighbourning teams, the first two taking taking place at the Aviva on February 8th and 9th and the remaining four taking place during may.

Carling has been a major sponsor of football for many years and today’s announcement builds upon its range of other sponsorships which includes the Carling Cup in England and Wales, the Carling Premiership in Northern Ireland and most recently the Scottish national team and the Scottish Cup.

At the announcement, Sportspeak caught up with legends Packie Bonner and Pat Jennings.