UNDER-19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: Ireland's hopes of reaching the Under-19 European Championships in July received a blow yesterday when they lost 3-2 to hosts Slovakia.
Sean McCaffrey's side twice came from behind to level the match but were beaten by the Slovak's winning goal on 75 minutes. Ireland will have to beat Turkey tomorrow, 6-0 winners over Georgia yesterday, to have any chance of reaching the finals in Poland.
The Irish trailed 2-1 at half-time after Slovakia scored twice, either side of Eddie Nolan's 14th minute penalty.
Anthony Stokes drew the visitors level for the second time on the hour mark when he volleyed a Shane Long knock-down into the far right-hand corner but Slovakian substitute Augustin did the damage when he slid in to finish from just two yards to make it 3-2.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Darren Randolph (Charlton); Sean Kelly (Arsenal), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Simon Madden (Leeds Utd); JP Kelly (Bohemians, capt), Ian Morris (Leeds Utd), Chris McCann (Burnley), Jonathan Hayes (Reading); Anthony Stokes (Arsenal), Shane Long (Reading). Subs: Billy Clarke (Ipswich) for Long (60 mins), Adam Rooney (Stoke) for Hayes (75 mins), Stephen Gleeson (Wolves) for McCann (80 mins).
LEAGUE CUP DRAW: Drogheda United must head to the Brandywell in early July for a League Cup quarter-final clash against holders Derry City with the two teams facing each other in the only all Premier Division clash thrown up by last night's draw. Quarter-final draw: Shelbourne v Finn Harps; Derry City v Drogheda United; Bohemians v Cobh Ramblers; Limerick v Shamrock Rovers. Ties to be played during the week starting July 3rd.
EVERTON: The Merseysiders are hopeful of signing the Crystal Palace striker Andrew Johnson for a club record £7 million before the World Cup finals, edging out Wigan and Bolton in the process.
It is understood that Johnson is keen to move to Everton and he is likely to be followed by the £3 million arrival of the centre half Joleon Lescott from Wolves. With Tim Howard arriving on loan from Manchester United David Moyes would then have to sell before he could bring in further new faces.
