Irish footballer in focus
Irish activists have disrupted a Dublin friendly between Ireland and Qatar by throwing tennis balls on the pitch to protest upcoming Nations League games against Israel. The protests have intensified pressure on the Football Association of Ireland to boycott the Israel fixtures, with dates set for September and October. Ireland’s coach and players have called for peaceful protest while insisting the matches will go ahead.
Hibs have secured a 2-1 victory over Shkendija in Edinburgh, with O’Hora’s stoppage-time strike giving them a narrow win ahead of the second leg in Skopje. The match was laboured for long spells, with both sides failing to find fluency, but substitutions and late drama changed the outcome. The win leaves Hibs with work to do in the return leg.