TAGS

WHAT A MESSIEN

A spectre is haunting Limerick – not the spectre of communism.

The Limerick Soviet is dead and gone, but the Treaty City has a new, more nefarious influence in its midst – Michael Essien.

The man who calls Jose Mourinho 'daddy' was in town for, well god knows what, and took the opportunity to take in Limerick's 2-0 win over Shelbourne on an uncommon Friday night game at Markets Field.

And perhaps it was the unfamiliarity of the occasion that led the home side to parade the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder on the pitch after the game, cruelly denying the Shelbourne squad the chance to applaud the committed travelling fans at the end of the game.

Soccer: Essien sees Limerick edge closer to promotion https://t.co/5BWDYk9aQX pic.twitter.com/v1PsD19Flk — Limerick Post (@limerickpost) July 30, 2016

Manager Owen Heary took to the internet to highlight the immense injustice inflicted upon his squad who, having suffered a fifth straight away loss without scoring, were clearly devastated to see their chance to acknowledge the travelling support denied by petty bureaucracy.

“On behalf of himself and the rest of the team, Owen would especially like to apologise for not acknowledging our supporters after last nights game,” read a statement on the club's website.

“This was due to the fact that former Chelsea footballer Michael Essien was introduced to the crowd on the pitch after the game and security requested our players to leave as quickly as possible in case the Limerick fans spilled out onto the pitch.”

A potential disaster avoided, surely, the near-insatiable desire of the locals to take to the field and swamp their hero averted by the Reds' quick dispersal from the pitch.

That messy scenario narrowly diverted in Limerick, an altogether Messier situation unfolded at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening, as Celtic's dreams of International Champions Cup success were sorely wounded by Lionel Messi and Co.

There were fears earlier in the week that Barcelona were set to sacrifice on-field success in order to let the Argentinian wizard – whose season finished 33 days earlier in the Copa America final – wouldn't travel with the party.

Alas, common sense prevailed, and football's most underworked star cut short his decadent holidays to face down the threat of Scott Brown and friends in Dublin, and 47,000 got to witness the star attraction in person.

And what in incredible sight it was, Messi's bleached blond quiff quivering in the wind like Efe Ambrose preparing to defend a corner.

Like the world's greatest player, ET Bitesize too think it's been too long since Bros were a staple n the pop charts, and like Leo we feel we owe you nothing. Yet here we are.

Tuesday evening sees Dundalk take on BATE Borisov at Tallaght Stadium in their Champions League qualifier, hoping to overturn a narrow 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Belarus.

The Lilywhites are playing the game in Dublin as Oriel Park doesn't meet the requirements for advanced rounds of Europe's premier competition, but Stephen Kenny insists Dundalk's record in Tallaght means the move won't hamper his side.

Indeed, history suggests they might prefer to once again do it "in Talla."

Elsewhere, Cork City host KRC Genk at Turners Cross with an identical one-goal deficit to contend with, but can take more optimism from their impressive showing in the first leg.

The Leesiders went toe-to-toe with the club that has recently produced world class players like Kevin de Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco and didn't look out of place, and indeed could consider themselves unlucky not to take an away goal into the deciding game.

Sean Maguire had a glorious chance to equalise in the second half in Genk only to pull his shot wide – his eye was caught by Michael Essien about to be introduced to the crowd.

FROM THE ECHO CHAMBER

Temporary stoppage after a teenager runs onto the pitch — Shamrock Rovers F.C. (@ShamrockRovers) July 29, 2016

We have christened him Dave https://t.co/xN7IninrNO — Paul Skinner (@pskins1) July 29, 2016

When you sign a new player and just stick white tape over the old name. I love our league #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/97MTfG8ElU — James Lowe (@SantryHoop) August 1, 2016

This is an unfortunate translation. pic.twitter.com/C3V8dKaoBv — Dave Donnelly (@YeSecondPost) July 31, 2016

IN THE NEWS

The draw for the Third Round of the FAI Cup was made, with Limerick's visit to St Patrick's Athletic the pick of the ties.

St Patrick's Athletic signed highly-rated Everton midfielder Steven Kinsella on loan until the end of the season.

The FAI have offered League of Ireland clubs up to €5,000 to formulate strategic plans for the next five years.

Cork City signed Republic of Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Eric Grimes following his release from Leeds United, and Dave Mulcahy from Bohemians.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given called an end to a 20-year international career.

IN-DEPTH

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny says “these nights create history” as his side bid for a historic Champions League win over BATE in Tallaght, he tells Aaron Gallagher.

Eoghan O'Connell has gone from the Munster Senior Cup to playing against Messi and Mahrez, but he's not getting ahead of himself, explains Fran Reilly.

On this week's ET Sportscast, Gareth O'Reilly and Dave Donnelly talk to new Bohemians signing Marco Chindea, while Tom O'Connor talks futsal with FAI coach Stephen Finn.

With Barcelona in town, David Thorpe recounts the story of Paddy O'Connell, the Irishman who managed the Catalan giants.

Please enable JavaScript

