Sinclair Armstrong links up with QPR

A big day for young Irish striker Sinclair Armstrong as he sealed a dream move to England. The 17-year-old has joined Queens Park Rangers from Shamrock Rovers and will initially link up with the U-18 squad.

Striker Sinclair Armstrong has joined #QPRU18's from @ShamrockRovers!

— QPR FC (@QPR) October 23, 2020

Although only 17, Armstrong’s potential has been recognised for several years now. He made his first team debut for Shamrock Rovers at the age of 15, appearing in an FAI Cup game against Drogheda back in August 2018.

Since then, the Clondalkin native has been promoted to the Shamrock Rovers II side and featured six time this season. Kevin Zefi, another promising youngster, is also making waves at Rovers. The former St. Kevin’s Boys’ winger became the youngest League of Ireland goal scorer in history after netting against Longford Town at the age of 15.

Republic of Ireland Form

Armstrong’s form didn’t go unnoticed at international level either. He earned his first Republic of Ireland call up for the U-17 side back in September 2019 in friendly encounter against Russia. It was a debut to remember as he scored one and set up the other in a 2-0 victory. His second goal for Colin O’Brien’s U-17 team came in November 2019 in a 4-2 EURO Qualifier win over Israel.

FT | #IRLU17 4-2 Israel

Ireland qualify for the Elite Round as group winners!

Goals from Sinclair Armstrong and Evan Ferguson ensure Ireland win 3⃣ out of 3⃣ in Cork

Superb performances from this young side #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/rpyFecP60m

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) November 18, 2019

It is not all about goals for Armstrong either, who has operated on the right wing in O’Brien’s 4-3-3 formation for the U-17 side. At this age you need to add as many strings to your bow in order to stand out. In a clash against Switzerland in February of this year, Armstrong’s lofted cross from the right wing was met by Bohemians’ striker Evan Ferguson who headed home an equaliser.

Interest from Abroad

Shortly after the Switzerland game, the Independent.ie reported that Armstrong was in Germany on trial at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. Fellow Bundesliga side Schalke and Serie A’s Verona were also reportedly keen. A move to Europe has become increasingly more common with the likes of Jadon Sancho, and more recently Jude Bellingham, proving that there is life beyond the English leagues.

Nevertheless, all of the interest will not have phased Sinclair Armstrong. He knows the importance of staying humble. A trait embedded in him by his former Rovers’ boss Damien Duff according to the youngster.

Despite the mentioned interest from Europe, QPR was the preferred destination. He will join fellow Irish youngsters Conor Masterson and Olamide Shodipo at the London club. “I’m going to do everything become a professional footballer” was what Armstrong promised back in 2019. Now he is one step closer on that journey.

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It was a quiet weekend for the Irish internationals on their return to domestic action. The likes of Matt Doherty, Conor Hourihane, Callum Robinson and Aaron Connolly had to settle for a place on the bench. However, the latter did have an impact when he came on. Brighton snatched a late equalizer against Crystal Palace as Connolly teed up Alexis Mac Allister.

A 𝘽𝙄𝙂 goal for #BHAFC!

Alexis Mac Allister has pulled one out of the bag!

Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #CRYBHA here: https://t.co/bo6hCDHBJx
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/wjBG4ax3aj

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2020

Sheffield United’s Irish contingent of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started as the Blades got off the mark with a one all draw against bottom side Fulham. Likewise, Kevin Long started for Burnley as their clash with West Brom ended in a goalless draw.

There was also tightly contested draw at Goodison Park as Liverpool and Everton went head to head. The derby game wasn’t short of talking points with controversial VAR decisions, red cards and injuries. Seamus Coleman, on his return to the side, suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury. The Donegal man was forced off after half an hour.

Championship

Cyrus Christie was drafted into the national squad after Coleman pulled out through injury. After featuring against Wales, he followed this with a start for new club Nottingham Forrest this weekend. An impressive performance in their win over Blackburn Rovers warranted his place in the Championship team of the week.

It's that time again!

Presenting your #SkyBetChampionship Team of the Week, powered by @WhoScored ratings #EFL | #TOTW pic.twitter.com/a2mk6lw7GK

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 19, 2020

Adam Idah picked up his first start of the season as Norwich City overcame Rotherham United with a late penalty. Fellow Irish youngster and U-21’s centre-back Nathan Collins, who started in the loss against Italy, set up Stoke’s second goal in a 2-0 victory. Meanwhile, Swansea City’s game against Huddersfield Town came too soon for Ryan Manning after his deadline day switch to the Welsh club.

Rest of Europe

Elsewhere, Josh Cullen started his first game for Vincent Kompany’s Anderlecht. Cullen completed 90 minutes with the game finishing all square.

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Stephen Kenny was in attendance at Oriel Park on Sunday evening. He witnessed a sublime finish from Jack Byrne as he muscled Chris Shields off the ball and rounded the goalkeeper to score from the tightest of angles. Byrne’s performance will give Kenny some food for thought as he is set to announce his squad today for the crucial play-off tie against Slovakia.

A brilliant Jack Byrne goal from a tight angle put the icing on the cake for @ShamrockRovers against Dundalk tonight @RTE2 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CV6S2HfuVp

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) September 27, 2020

Premier League

West Brom’s Callum Robinson bagged two goals against Chelsea with the game finishing all square. His second goal highlighted his sharpness has he nipped in to score after a Thiago Silva error. Fellow Irish international Conor Hourihane also enjoyed his evening at Craven Cottage on Monday as he notched a goal and an assist against Fulham.

Everton won their third successive game of the new Premier League season. Seamus Coleman teed up Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the box to score the Toffee’s first of the afternoon. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had some kind words to share about his captain after the game.

"Seamus is an example for all the others of how you need to be: the attitude, the spirit – every day. I've had a lot of captains in my career but how Seamus expresses his love for the shirt is really top." – @mrancelotti.

Our captain. Our Seamus. #CRYEVE pic.twitter.com/1PCWpwu6pq

— Everton (@Everton) September 26, 2020

Aaron Connolly netted his first goal of the season last weekend against Newcastle United. His Brighton team came close against Manchester United this weekend after a controversial end to the game resulted in Brighton coming away with nothing. Connolly will have felt aggrieved after he was taken down in the box however no penalty was awarded.

Robinson and Hourihane made the WhoScored.com ‘Team of the Week’ after their excellent performances.

Championship

It was a relatively quiet weekend in the Championship for Irish representatives. Kieran Sadlier, previously of Sligo Rovers and Cork City, scored a penalty as his Rotherham side drew 1-1 against Birmingham City.

Mark Travers picked up an injury in the warm-up before Bournemouth’s game. There is now a potential doubt over his involvement in the squad for the Slovakia match. Likewise, Troy Parrott hasn’t had the start to the season he would’ve hoped for. He is yet to start a league game for new club Millwall due to a recurring ankle injury.

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It is now expected Wigan will be deducted 12 points. However, the sanction will not be applied until the end of the season if the side nicknamed the Latics finish outside the bottom three after the 46 games regular season. Wigan currently sit in 14th place in the championship table. If Wigan do finish in the bottom then the 12 points deduction will be applied in the 2020/21 season.

In fairness since the resumption of games Wigan have won all three of their games. The team are coached by former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook. Since retiring from playing in 2006 he has also managed Portsmouth, Southport, Accrington and Chesterfield to name but a few. Cook’s side had a super 3-0 win over Stoke at the DW Stadium on Tuesday, which puts them 8 points clear of the drop zone.

The club was owned by Dave Whelan up until 2018. However, he sold to Hong Kong based International Entertainment Corporation. There was then a further change of ownership in June with Next Leader Fund taking control. BBC Sport state that the administrators will be Gerald Krasner, Paul Stanley and Dean Watson of Begbies Traynor. Paul Stanley told BBC Sport, “We understand that everybody connected with the club and the wider football world is seeking clarity on the future of Wigan Athletic”. “That’s exactly what we are seeking to provide as we move through this process and we seek out interested parties to rescue this famous old club here in the region.

Mr Stanley said that the pandemic has “obviously had a significant of recent fortunes of the club”. He also said that anyone interested in buying the club should contact the administrators directly.

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