Stephen McDonnell

Blow for Shelbourne as academy director Colm Barron leaves for FAI. Dubliner was headhunted for new role as national coach developer. the42.ie/colm-barron-shelbou…

Pep Guardiola asked if he had a feeling Mikel Arteta would turn Arsenal into one of #ManCity’s competitors when he left: “Yeah… yeah. I know him [from] here. I know his capacity, his ability. It’s just if the club trusts him a lot, for many years. We didn’t win one trophy in the first season, imagine they said ‘you didn’t win, you can go home’. What happened would not have happened. Always the manager has to have support from the hierarchy, not from the players. The players support you when you win, when you don’t win the players don’t support you. The hierarchy have to support you to make the players feel that whatever happens you will be there. It happened here, that’s why we’ve had success for many, many years. Look at how quick other clubs change the managers. I’m not naive, I’m still here because we won a lot after the second season. Mikel won the FA Cup and the Community Shield at the beginning, but still he’s there six years later. It’s because the hierarchy trust him. If I was a Sporting Director, CEO, or the guy who decides who’s the manager. I will take a look how they train, how the people and the players talk about the manager or how they work. If it’s good and the people is [on board], forget the results, the results will come. The opposite side is the same. If I’m a sporting director at a club and we are winning, winning, but the people don’t follow the manager, the moment the results are bad he must be fired. I think what happened is they [Arsenal] saw how he [Mikel Arteta] works and the people above him, the American people, decided that he’s the guy that has to guide us for the next years. That’s why they are there.” 🎥 youtu.be/D8Mx_gDZgCw

Dundalk march on!

HISTORY 😍😍😍😍 Two League of Ireland teams have qualified for the League Phase of European competition for the first time ever. Congratulations to both @shelsfc and @ShamrockRovers 👏

𝗣𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 ✉️ Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of prolific striker Pat Hoban from League of Ireland side Derry City for an undisclosed fee. The 33-year-old forward, widely regarded as one of the most consistent goalscorers in the League of Ireland over the past decade, has signed a two-year contract at the BetMcLean Oval. Welcome to the Glens, Pat 🫡 #COYGlens

✅ Debuts made ✅ Three points gained Good night at the office for @CruesStrikers 👊