The 2026 Premier Division is delivering more drama than anyone expected. With two matchdays left, the title is still up for grabs, and every remaining fixture has become a high-stakes final where a mistake could be catastrophic. Get the full lowdown in this 1xBet.ie review.

The main contenders: Shamrock Rovers and the chasing pack

Heading into Matchday 35, Shamrock Rovers sit at the top of the table with 65 points. Their experience as champions makes them the favourites, but there is no room for complacency: Bohemians are breathing down their necks, trailing by just three points on 62.

With only one win separating the two sides and 180 minutes of football remaining, any slip-up by Rovers could immediately open the door for their rivals to claim the title. While a home game against underdogs Sligo might look straightforward, the final-day away trip to face Dundalk will be a true test.

It is worth noting that Shamrock have beaten Dundalk only once in their three encounters in 2026. The champions recorded a 1-1 home draw, a 1-0 away defeat, and a 3-2 home victory in a match in which the visitors came from behind twice to equalise. Add Rovers’ recent away losses to St Patrick’s and Galway, and it becomes clear they face a tough end to the season.

The main challenger: Bohemians’ title hopes

The Dublin club enters the final stretch as Shamrock Rovers’ closest and most dangerous rival. Bohemians would be in a much stronger position if they had drawn away to Shamrock Rovers on 12 October. However, Dylan Watts’ 76th-minute goal secured the win for their opponents, and now Bohs can only hope the favourites fail.

To win the title, Bohemians must take all six points from their remaining two matches and rely on their rivals to slip up. However, their run-in is far from easy: after hosting Shelbourne, they must travel to face St Patrick’s, who currently sit third in the table.

The St Patrick’s factor

With 59 points, St Patrick’s still have a mathematical chance of claiming the title. To do that, however, they would need to win both remaining matches and hope Shamrock Rovers lose both theirs. It would also help if Bohemians failed to beat Shelbourne. Meanwhile, the Saints’ recent 2-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers clearly showed that they can compete with the league leaders.

The problem is that a home defeat to Shelbourne, followed by another setback in Derry, has undoubtedly affected the team’s morale. Their opponents were considered underdogs before kick-off, yet St Patrick’s lacked the energy to deliver when it mattered most, much like in their earlier game against Waterford. Perhaps the team simply struggles to handle the pressure when it feels obliged to win.

Decisive fixtures and possible scenarios

The title will be decided over the coming days: Matchday 35 is scheduled for 23-24 October, while the final clashes will be held on 30 October. To lift the trophy, Shamrock Rovers need to make the most of their remaining fixtures. However, football history is full of dramatic finales. If the league leaders drop points even once, their rivals will have a chance to rewrite the script of the season.

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A comprehensive 4-1 victory for the Champions League upstarts at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia has pushed United’s winless run to seven matches and thrown head coach Michael Carrick’s future into severe jeopardy.

The humbling result comes on the heels of mounting tension at Old Trafford, compounded last week by Lisandro Martinez publicly highlighting the club’s deep-seated shortcomings. While Carrick had hoped Sunday’s gritty draw against rivals Leeds would serve as a “fresh start,” his side looked completely devoid of shape, grit, and cohesion on the shores of Lake Como.

A Nightmare Start and a Dominant Como Display

Despite missing nine players due to injuries, United were caught cold just two minutes into the match. Diogo Dalot missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring within the first 90 seconds, only for Como to immediately punish the lapse. Nico Paz collected a pass on the edge of the box, cut onto his left foot, and curled a brilliant effort past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Although severely depleted themselves, Fàbregas’s side played bold, cohesive football that continually left the English visitors chasing shadows. While Harry Maguire managed a stray header wide, the frustrated traveling supporters made their feelings known, chanting “attack, attack, attack” as United struggled to impose themselves.

The Collapse After the Break

Hoping to salvage the game, Carrick introduced Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo at halftime and made tactical adjustments. However, the changes failed to stem the tide. Just four minutes into the second half, Como carved through the centre of the United defense, allowing Tasos Douvikas to slam home from a Paz assist after leaving Matthijs de Ligt—making his first start in 325 days—stumbling.

The onslaught continued in the 57th minute:

• Baleba’s loose pass on the flank was intercepted by the dazzling Paz.
• Paz drove forward unchallenged and slotted home a fine left-footed finish to secure his second goal of the night.
• In the 76th minute, substitute Kaiki Bruno floated a cross into the box, finding an unmarshalled Jacobo Ramon to head home Como’s fourth.

A Desperate Apology

While substitute Joshua Zirkzee managed to net a late consolation goal in stoppage time, and Jean Butez denied Amad Diallo earlier in the half, the damage was long since done. Lammens was forced into further action to deny Paz a hat-trick as sections of the away end emptied in disgust.

At the final whistle, a chastened Carrick walked over to the remaining United fans to hold his hands up in a gesture of apology. With the team floundering domestically and now suffering historic continental humiliations, the storm brewing at Old Trafford threatens to wash away Carrick’s tenure before it can truly take root.

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The controversy centers around a large tifo and banner unfurled by the home fans before kick-off, which carried the slogan ‘Massacre, Parisien style’. The display featured a masked individual wearing a PSG jersey wielding a chainsaw to slice through the Barcelona crest, complete with pyrotechnics that simulated flying sparks as the blade made contact.

Match Delegate Notified

According to sources close to the Catalan giants, club officials wasted no time addressing the hostile environment. In addition to the graphic banner, Barcelona representatives formally reported several offensive chants directed from the stands to UEFA’s match delegate.

As of publishing, European football’s governing body has declined to comment on the matter.

Costly Victory for PSG

While the atmosphere in the stands was fiercely contested, the action on the pitch proved equally dramatic. Barcelona twice fought back from a deficit to level the score at 2-2 with just 11 minutes remaining. However, the reigning European champions ultimately secured a 4-2 victory courtesy of late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.

Despite the win, the fixture came at an immense physical cost for Paris Saint-Germain:

• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The star Georgian winger twisted his right knee just before the hour mark and requires surgery. The devastating blow will likely sideline the Ballon d’Or nominee for at least six months, effectively ending his season.
• Ousmane Dembele: The reigning Ballon d’Or winner limped off in just the 19th minute due to a thigh injury.
• Marquinhos: The defensive stalwart was also forced to exit the match early with a similar thigh problem.

The victory keeps PSG at the summit of the Champions League standings with a flawless record of three wins from three games, though they will now have to navigate the remainder of their title defense without some of their most influential players.

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"I’m gutted for the fans"

Darren Purse speaks after a frustrating evening for Sligo Rovers. https://t.co/un4JiCO9yh

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) October 9, 2026

Heading into the fixture under the management of Darren Purse, Sligo knew that anything less than a victory would seal their relegation fate. Sitting cast adrift at the bottom of the table, their fate was sealed following a devastating second-half collapse.

Shelbourne Show No Mercy in Five-Star Display

John Russell’s Shelbourne side put on an offensive masterclass, moving up to fourth in the table—two points clear of Derry City, who hold a game in hand. The Dublin outfit was ruthless after the interval, capitalizing on Sligo’s defensive frailties.

• Daniel Kelly: Opened the scoring in the 13th minute, bagging his seventh league goal of the season.
• Ademipo Odubeko: Added Shelbourne’s second shortly after half-time before being forced off due to an injury sustained during the goal.
• John Martin: Made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring with his very first touch and later adding a fifth to cap off the rout.
• Milan Mbang: Struck just before the hour mark to comfortably put the game beyond reach.

Sligo had briefly shown resilience before the break. Despite being dominated in possession and nearly conceding from a Kerr McInroy 25-yard thunderbolt that struck the underside of the crossbar, Sligo equalized right on the stroke of half-time. A defensive mix-up between Shels keeper Ed Beach and Milan Mbang allowed Kaiyne Woolery to bundle the ball home, sending the sides in level at 1-1.

A Second-Half Collapse

Hopes of a miraculous escape were quickly extinguished in the second period. Just five minutes after the restart, Odubeko restored Shels’ lead. Substitute John Martin then made it 3-1 within sixty seconds of entering the pitch, heading home a pinpoint cross from Kelly.

As Sligo’s defense completely capitulated, Mbang made it 4-1 before Martin notched his second of the night in the 61st minute. Shels comfortably coasted through the remainder of the match, missing several chances to inflict an even heavier defeat.

Looking Ahead to 2027

For Sligo Rovers, the relegation marks the culmination of a miserable run of form that saw them lose their last four league matches and fail to register a single win in over three months. Substantial soul-searching now awaits the club as they prepare for life in the second tier.

Sligo will play out the remainder of their Premier Division fixtures against Dundalk (home), Shamrock Rovers (away), and a final-day clash against Derry City (home) before turning their attention to a rebuilding phase in the First Division next season.

The post Sligo Rovers Relegated After Heavy 5-1 Defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Sarina Wiegman’s side traveled to Heraklion with high expectations and delivered a professional performance. Despite an early scare when Lauren James saw her opening effort ruled out for offside—followed closely by Greece’s Ioanna Papatheodorou striking the crossbar—England quickly took control.

How England Secured Their Advantage

The breakthrough came courtesy of Georgia Stanway, who netted her fifth goal of the qualifying campaign right before the half-time whistle to give the Lionesses a crucial lead.

Things to work on
Maya Le Tissier’s performance
Lauren James playing in the ten

Sarina Wiegman spoke to Katie Shanahan following England’s 3-1 win over Greece https://t.co/CGUVcJTlRF

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 9, 2026

After the interval, England pressed home their advantage:

• Maya Le Tissier doubled the lead, scoring her very first senior international goal for her country.
• Alessia Russo added a third to effectively put the game beyond Greece’s reach.

England will now take a comfortable two-goal cushion back home for the second leg at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday. The aggregate winner of this tie will advance to face either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round for a coveted spot at next summer’s tournament.

Belgium Edge Out Poland in Path B Battle

Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Belgium claimed a vital 1-0 home victory over Poland in Leuven. Carla Ward’s side established their winning edge thanks to a dramatic added-time goal from Elena Dhont right at the end of the first half.

The victory keeps the Belgians in pole position within Path B as both nations battle for supremacy, with the ultimate prize potentially leading to a clash against Ireland in the subsequent qualifying phase.

Other Play-Off Results at a Glance

Action across the European play-offs yielded several decisive first-leg results:

• Wales edged past Albania with a narrow 1-0 away victory.
• Scotland secured a solid 2-0 win away against Czechia.
• Northern Ireland face an uphill battle in their return leg after falling 4-0 to Portugal.

As the second legs approach, teams are one step closer to locking in their places on the world stage, with tensions and stakes running high across the continent.

The post Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Strong Starts for England and Belgium in Play-Off First Legs appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A Mixed Bag of Results in the Nations League

During the recent international fixtures, the Boys in Green managed to secure just a single victory—a win against Israel. However, mixed results across the rest of the campaign ultimately impacted their standing.

Ireland picked up draws against both Israel and Austria, but suffered a disappointing away defeat to Kosovo, a side that capitalized on the fixture to climb two places up to 76th in the world rankings.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad will certainly look back at missed opportunities to close out matches strongly. In Dublin, Ireland initially stunned Austria with a 2-0 lead, highlighted by a stunning wonder goal from Troy Parrott, only to concede a second-half comeback and settle for a single point. A remarkably similar narrative played out in their home fixture against Israel, where an early lead dissolved into a draw.

How Other Nations Fared

Ireland’s opponents and neighboring nations also saw movement in the global table:

• Austria: Moved up one place to 22nd overall after securing a victory over Israel and taking four points from their fixtures against Kosovo.
• Northern Ireland: Enjoyed a massive surge, climbing six places to 64th following an impressive eight-point haul from four games that places them at the top of Group B2.
• Scotland: Slipped one place to 43rd.
• Wales: Dropped one spot to 39th.
• England: Maintained their position holding steady at 4th in the world.

Looking Ahead

The Republic of Ireland will look to stabilize their campaign and recapture momentum when they conclude their UEFA Nations League B3 fixtures next month. The team faces a crucial away trip to group leaders Austria before returning home to face Kosovo.

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Vega, 55, who represented Switzerland at Euro 96 and played for Spurs between 1997 and 2001, is the first candidate to publicly declare a run against Infantino. His entrance into the race comes amid mounting governance controversies and declining support for the current FIFA leadership.

“Football is in the Emergency Room”

In a scathing statement addressing the global football community, Vega did not mince words regarding the current state of the sport’s world governing body:

“I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game. I stand before the global football family with humility, determination and a profound sense of responsibility. Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution. Football is in the emergency room, on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs a new direction and fundamental reform.”

Growing Discontent Among European Associations

Vega’s presidential bid arrives at a tumultuous time for FIFA and Infantino, who plans to seek a fourth term. A series of recent missteps and strategic failures have fractured relationships across the footballing landscape:

• Rejected Investment Plans: Infantino faced intense pressure after a controversial private investor plan—aimed at creating a commercial vehicle to run the World Cup—was rejected by three major confederations, including European governing body UEFA.
• Loss of European Confidence: UEFA has explicitly stated it has lost confidence in Infantino’s administration. Multiple European football associations, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, have withdrawn their support.
• Governance Scandals: Deep discontent surrounds FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun case at the World Cup. Furthermore, reports surfaced this week claiming FIFA administrators ignored their own legal counsel, improperly allowing DR Congo to participate in an intercontinental play-off despite fielding an ineligible goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi.

The Battle Lines Drawn Ahead of UEFA and CAF Meetings

As European football association presidents and general secretaries gather in Berlin for a UEFA Top Executive Programme (TEP) meeting, FIFA governance remains at the top of the agenda. While UEFA leadership is actively committed to finding a credible alternative candidate to challenge Infantino, a final consensus on an opponent is unlikely to be reached immediately. The official deadline for candidate submissions is November 18.

Meanwhile, Infantino is working to shore up his international power base. This week, the current FIFA president is attending the Confederation of African Football (CAF) strategy conference in Cape Verde alongside FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger.

While Infantino retains formidable backing in South America and parts of the Middle East—including strong commitments from Qatar and Saudi Arabia—the entry of a player-turned-administrator like Ramon Vega signals that the upcoming FIFA election will be fiercely contested both on and off the pitch.

The post Former Spurs Defender Ramon Vega Enters Race to Challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA Presidency appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Coming into the match, Jim Crawford’s squad faced a high-stakes scenario: they needed to match or better Slovakia’s result away against Andorra to advance. While Slovakia ultimately claimed a late 2-1 win, the Boys in Green preferred to take matters into their own hands, snapping a historical winless streak against their age-grade rivals with a fearless, high-energy performance.

Lonergan and McManus Lead the Charge

Lee Carsley’s Young Lions arrived on Leeside having already wrapped up automatic qualification following a scoreless draw against Slovakia last week. Despite their formidable, star-studded lineup—and an early opener from Tyler Dibling—England’s previously unbeaten Group D record quickly unraveled.

Ireland responded with immense resilience. Waterford striker Tommy Lonergan and Conor McManus both found the back of the net to overturn the early deficit and put the hosts ahead. Lonergan, currently enjoying stellar form as the League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer, sealed the historic result shortly after the hour mark. Ramping up the crowd’s ecstasy, he rifled home his fourth goal in just three games to extend Ireland’s lead to 3-1.

Looking Ahead to the Play-Offs

With the impressive scalp secured, the Republic of Ireland U21s now turn their attention to Friday’s upcoming play-off draw. The Boys in Green will join a competitive pot featuring:

• Greece
• Finland
• Denmark
• Turkey
• Netherlands
• Czechia
• Iceland

A tense two-legged clash now stands between Jim Crawford’s side and a place at next year’s prestigious tournament finals in Albania and Serbia. Based on their performance under the Friday-night-style lights in Cork, this Irish side is more than ready for the challenge.

Match Lineups

Republic of Ireland: Noah Jauny; Oisin Gallagher, Sean Grehan (c), Alex Murphy; Cathal McCarthy, Rory Finneran, Jacob Deveney, Conor McManus (Darius Lipsiuc 64); Jamie Mullins (Michael Noonan 82), Trent Kone-Doherty (Romeo Akachukwu 72); Tommy Lonergan (Grady McDonnell 82)

England: Tommy Setford; Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Stephen Mfuni, Max Alleyne, Amario Cozier-Duberry (Tyrique George 61); Joshua King, Sydie Peck (William Lankshear 68), Archie Grey (c), Tyler Dibling (Harrisson Armstrong 61), Divin Mubama, Ethan Mwaneri (Divine Mukasa 46)

Referee: Allesandro Dudic (Switzerland)

The post Historic Night in Cork: Ireland U21s Overpower England to Secure Euro Play-Off Spot appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Allegations Surrounding Lionel Mpasi

According to investigative reports by The New York Times and Le Monde, legal counsel for FIFA became aware as early as March that DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi was allegedly ineligible to play. Internal legal advisors reportedly recommended several potential sanctions, including:

• Disqualifying DR Congo from their crucial intercontinental play-off match against Jamaica that same month.
• Issuing a formal ban against Mpasi.

Despite these internal warnings, no action was ultimately taken by FIFA. Mpasi went on to represent DR Congo at the tournament finals in North America, featuring prominently in their matches—including a high-profile fixture against England in the last 32.

In response to the unfolding reports, CONCACAF (the confederation representing Jamaica) issued a statement emphasizing the importance of fair play and regulatory consistency:

“CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions. Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies…”

Mounting Pressure on Gianni Infantino

This fresh eligibility controversy compounds an already difficult period for Gianni Infantino, who is dealing with several overlapping crises:

• The Folarin Balogun Case: United States striker Folarin Balogun had a one-match red card suspension suspended by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, enabling him to play in the last-16 clash against Belgium. Political scrutiny followed when U.S. President Donald Trump publicly admitted to personally calling Infantino to review the decision, sparking major concerns over political interference. While FIFA maintains that its disciplinary committee operates independently and denies Infantino intervened, the optics have raised red flags.
• Governance and Investment Plans: Infantino has faced intense pushback over his handling of a proposed private investment plan for a commercial vehicle intended to run major FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
• Formal Ethics Complaints: The Norwegian football federation has formally lodged complaints with FIFA’s ethics committee and its governance, audit, and compliance committee. These complaints cover the Balogun suspension handling, the private investment framework, and the controversial awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize last year to President Trump.

As international football federations and regional bodies demand transparency, FIFA faces growing calls for an independent review to restore trust in its regulatory integrity and governance structures.

The post FIFA and Gianni Infantino Face Fresh Scrutiny Over DR Congo Goalkeeper Eligibility Scandal appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Match Details and Kick-Off Time

• Fixture: Republic of Ireland U21 vs. England U21
• Date: Tuesday, October 6th
• Venue: Turner’s Cross, Cork
• Kick-Off Time: 6:00 PM

Where to Watch Ireland U21s vs England

Traditional terrestrial television broadcasters will not carry live coverage of this crucial fixture. Instead, the match will be streamed exclusively live on LOI TV.

Fans looking to catch the action can purchase a match pass stream directly through the LOI TV official website for €9.99.

What is at Stake for Ireland?

A place in the play-offs for next summer’s European Championships is firmly on the line. Securing all three points against England will guarantee Jim Crawford’s side second place in the group and a berth in the play-offs.

Depending on results elsewhere—specifically Slovakia’s away fixture against Andorra—Ireland could still finish second with a draw or even a defeat. However, with Slovakia heavily favored to overcome Andorra, a positive result against group-toppers England remains the safest route to prolonging the qualification campaign.

Historically, the Ireland U21s have never qualified for the European Championships at this age group, with their closest brush coming via a heartbreaking play-off penalty shootout defeat to Israel in 2022.

Team News and Squad Previews

Confidence is running high in the Irish camp following an impressive international window last month, which featured a crucial 2-0 away win against Slovakia followed by a dramatic 4-3 thriller over Kazakhstan. Manager Jim Crawford is expected to deploy a largely settled starting XI, with rising talents like Trent Kone-Doherty, Jacob Devaney, and Rory Finneran anticipated to play influential roles.

On the opposing side, Lee Carsley’s England squad has already secured top spot in the group and guaranteed qualification for next summer’s finals. Despite already qualifying, the Young Lions boast a star-studded roster featuring captain Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Ethan Nwaneri (on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Arsenal), Tyler Dibling (Everton), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), and Josh King (Fulham).

Make sure to tune into LOI TV this Tuesday at 6 PM to back the Ireland U21s in what promises to be an electric night of football at Turner’s Cross!

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