Soccer Digest: Anthony Stokes wants to remain at Celtic

Lennon is busy on the transfer front, with Celtic linked with South Korea international winger Kim Bo-Kyung, Leeds United youngster Aidan White and Polish full-back Sebastian Boenisch, who has just left German outfit Werder Bremen.

Irish striker Daryl Murphy, back at the club after a loan spell at Ipswich, could also stay as Lennon adapts to the new financial reality in Scottish football.

Celtics’s poor pre-season form continued when they were beaten 1-0 away to German third division side Stuttgart Kickers on Sunday.
 
Airtricity Results

ST. Patrick’s Athletic have received a bye into the quarterfinals of the FAI Cup after Monaghan United withdrew from senior football. The Saints will miss the third round of the competition with the pick of the draw the all-Premier clash between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City.

The third round draw for the FAI Cup is -- Waterford United vs. Mervue United; Malahide United vs. Dundalk; Shamrock Rovers vs. Cork City; Bohemians vs. Avondale United; Drogheda United vs. Wexford Youths; UCD vs. Derry City; Shelbourne vs. Cherry Orchard. Bye: St Pat’s.

Drogheda United are up to second in the Premier Division table after beating St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 in Dublin on Sunday, but Sligo are still ahead of the pack after their 2-1 win in Derry.

Shamrock Rovers stuttered again with a 1-1 draw at Dundalk, while Bohs bounced back from their European exit to beat UCD 1-0 at Dalymount Park. Shels won a five goal thriller away to Bray Wanderers

There were mixed fortunes for Irish teams in Europa League action last week when Stephen O’Flynn scored a late goal to earn St. Pat’s victory on the away goals rule against IBV in Iceland.

There was no such luck for Bohs, however, as they crashed out 5-1 to Thor, also in Iceland.
 
Soccer Shorts

COVENTRY City are ready to sell Dubliner Gary Deegan after he was suspended for posting a pro-IRA comment on Twitter. Irish winger Roy O’Donovan also looks set to leave the club . . .

DUNDEE will replace Rangers in the Scottish Premier League after the Gers demotion to the Third

Division following their financial woes . . .

LIMERICK FC will host Premier League champions Manchester City in a glamour friendly at Thomond Park on August 5 . . .

FORMER Irish international defender Alan Maybury is talking to Hibs boss Pat Fenlon about a move to Easter Road . . .

BLACKBURN Rovers, Middlesbrough and Birmingham have been linked with West Brom’s Irish striker Simon Cox . . .

IRISH defender Paddy McCarthy is to sign a new contract with English Championship side Crystal Palace . . .
DEFENDER Cliff Byrne has signed for Oldham Athletic after 10 years with Scunthorpe United . . .

SEAN McCaffrey has left his job as manager of cash strapped Dundalk by mutual consent . . .

SLIGO Rovers striker Danny North has signed a new contract with the club.
 
 

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Nster.com