Members of the Republic of Ireland Women’s World Cup squad will each be guaranteed a figure in the region of €28,000 from FIFA after a change to the summer tournament’s prize-money structure. The governing body have affirmed a commitment to guarantee cash for players with a total pool set at $110 million dollars divided amongst squads depending on their progression. Players who are eliminated at the group stage will receive $30,000 as consolation, an amount that would be more than a year’s salary for a large number of players, including a considerable number of Vera Pauw’s likely Irish squad that are amateur or semi pros from the Women’s Premier Division. The minimum reward for advancing to the knockout stage doubles to a total of circa €56,000 per squad member with losing quarter finalists scooping €84,000 each and the amounts rising from there to a high of €252,000 for all the individuals in the winning squad.
The Irish squad will also be line to benefit from their in-house arrangements with the FAI, where there is pay parity with the men in terms of match fees and bonus arrangements and commercial opportunities with sponsors. FIFA’s announcement of a trebling of the prize money adds another financial layer to the achievement for Ireland’s history makers, in addition to placing increased value on a place on the plane for players around the cut line.
The World Cup begins on July 20 when New Zealand play Norway in Auckland and the other co-hosts Australia take on the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
MAN CITY CROWNED
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE
It was a memorable week for English clubs in Europe with Manchester City emulating Manchester United’s feat of 24 years ago by winning the EPL, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season. City’s long wait for success in the Champions League came after a nervous performance against Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday night. The only goal of the game was scored by Spaniard Rodri in the 68th minute, but Belgian striker Lukaku should have equalised for Inter 20 minutes later when his weak header came off the goalkeeper’s knee. City were poor in the first half and they lost midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and Lukaku’s Belgian colleague, with a hamstring injury. At the end they just clung on to become the sixth English team to win the top honor in European club football – the others being United (3 times), Liverpool (6), Nottingham Forest (2), Aston Villa and Chelsea (2).
It was Pep Guardiola’s third title as manager, having won twice with Barcelona in finals against Manchester United in 2009 and 2011.
Jack Grealish, who played Under-17 through Under-21 levels for the Republic of Ireland, was in Guardiola’s winning line-up.
HAMMERS WIN IN EUROPE
Meanwhile West Ham won their first major trophy in 43 years in dramatic fashion last week after a 90th-minute winner over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. Jarrod Bowen secured a 2-1 victory for the east London side as the tense final in Prague seemed to be heading into extra time. The Hammers last Cup win was in 1980 when they beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final.
Also West Ham chairman David Sullivan said he is 99 per cent sure that captain Declan Rice will leave the club this summer. The 24-year-old England international, who also won three Irish caps, has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Sullivan said: ‘‘We promised Declan last summer that if he gave us his all, we would let him leave the club. It’s a fair and proper thing to do.’’
SMALLBONE OPENS UP
Republic of Ireland midfielder Will Smallbone says his journey with alopecia has made him stronger. The 23-year-old was diagnosed with the condition, which affects hair loss on the body, while recovering from a knee injury in January 2021. He said: ‘‘The stuff that has happened to me over the last few years, I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. I have shown resilience and a lot of character to know that I can take on anything that is thrown at me.’’
Smallbone, who came through Southampton academy, made his EPL debut for the Saints in February 2020 and was a first-team regular before his ACL injury in January 2021.After recovering, he spent last season on loan at Stoke City in the Championship and will return to the relegated
Saints after the international break. He said: ‘‘I am happy to concentrate on Ireland and worry about that when I get back to England.’’ He was born in Basingstoke and qualifies for Ireland through his Kilkenny-born mother. Will made his senior debut in the 3-2 friendly win over Latvia and could make his competitive bow in the upcoming games against Greece and Gibraltar.
SHELBOURNE
CONFIRM DEAL
Shelbourne have confirmed that Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has taken a majority shareholding in the club. The Turkish broadcaster and businessman, who took over as Hull City owner in 2022, has been linked with Irish clubs in the past, notably Dundalk, who were forced to deny reports that a deal had been agreed last February.
In a statement last week Shelbourne say the deal will lead to increased investment in the first team, the academy and the club’s facilities, adding that it would create material synergy with Hull City. Shelbourne, under the ownership of Dubliner Andrew Doyle, had previously been in talks for a takeover with the owners of Southampton, though the deal fell through last year..
Shelbourne are currently enjoying their best season since the club’s financial meltdown in the mid-2000s. Under Damien Duff Shels qualified for the FAI Cup final in 2022, having returned to the Premier Division after a few seasons in Division One.
IRWIN PROMOTES
UNITED GAME
Former Manchester United and Irish international Denis Irwin was in Dublin this week to promote the friendly between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao at the Aviva on Aug. 6. United have been regular visitors to Dublin down through the decades, but not so much in recent years. Their last game in Dublin was also the first soccer game played at the new Aviva in August 2010 when they beat a LOI selection 7-1.
The game in August is being promoted by the FAI on the same day as the Community Shield between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley and a week before the start of the EPL.
Meanwhile Liverpool have completed a £35m deal to sign midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton on a five-year contract .The fee could rise to £55m for the Argentina playmaker, who helped Brighton finish sixth in the EPL this season to qualify for Europe for the first time. The 24-year-old scored 20 goals in 112 appearances for the Seagulls and helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.
NEVILLE JOINS CANADA
Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has agreed to become part of the coaching staff with Canada’s men’s national team. Neville, who previously managed the England Women’s team, was sacked from his role as head coach at Inter Miami earlier this month.
CAPTAIN COLEMAN
TO STICK WITH TOFFEES
Republic of Ireland captain Séamus Coleman looks certain to finish out his career with Everton after the club last week confirmed they have offered their skipper a new contract. Manager Sean Dyche, who helped save the Toffees from relegation last month, is planning a rebuild over the summer and that will mean players coming and going.
Also former Irish international Shane Duffy has left Fulham to join Norwich on a three-year contract. The 31-year-old Derry-born defender, who has won 55 Irish caps, made five appearances for Fulham during the 2022-23 season.
And Ireland third choice goalkeeper Mark Travers is being linked with a move to newly promoted Luton Town. Travers started last season as first choice keeper with Bournemouth, but when manager Scott Parker was sacked, his replacement Gary O’Neill made Brazilian Neto his first-choice keeper and club captain. Travers returned for the last game of the season against Everton.
ROVERS LEAD AHEAD OF BREAK
As the domestic season heads into a mid-term break Shamrock Rovers have opened up a six-point lead over Derry City at the top of the Premier Division. Rovers beat UCD 4-0 in Tallaght on Friday night, while Derry were held to a draw by Bohemians at the Brandywell.
LOI results: Cork City 1, Dundalk 2; Derry City 0, Bohemians 0; Drogheda Utd 2, St Patrick’s Ath 1; Shamrock Rov 4, UCD 0; Shelbourne 1, Sligo Rovers 1.
