Andrew Dempsey

Sub-editor & sportswriter

[Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 @IrelandFootball]

Full-time in Montreal, a positive performance to end the camp 🙌🇮🇪

[Kevin Coghlan @kevin_coghlan]

Saturday's back page

[Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 @IrelandFootball]

WE TAKE ALL 3 POINTS ☘️

[Andrew Dempsey @AndrewDempsey98]

Frantically checking Skyscanner for flights to Grenoble

[Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 @IrelandFootball]

WE TAKE ALL 3 POINTS ☘️

[Owen Cowzer @OCowzer]

Celtic set to visit Dublin next month to play pre-season friendly against League of Ireland side
https://t.co/HVrK0Ro87O

[Crosshaven AFC @crosshavenafc]

It is with the heaviest of hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling — a true Chelsea legend and an even more wonderful human being.

Bobby came to Cork in the 1970s after his time at Crystal Palace, and he fell deeply in love with the place. But it was Crosshaven that truly captured his heart. In the 1980s he settled here and made it his home. He became Cork City’s very first manager before taking the reins of our senior team in 1985, guiding us with pride and passion to our one and only appearance in the FAI Senior Cup the following year. His sons Gary and Glenn featured locally for a while as did his partner Val’s son Jamie now of course Senior Team assistant coach.

For the next thirty years, on and off, Bobby was never far from our club with Val by his side. Even when his health was failing, he still wanted to be on the sidelines — coaching, encouraging, and sharing his endless love for the game. His passion for football was absolutely infectious. Whether he was talking tactics, working on set pieces, or telling stories from his playing days (sometimes for the tenth time), you couldn’t help but hang on every word. You didn’t mind hearing the same tale again, because it was Bobby telling it. His final game managing Crosshaven was a fitting one as some of the greatest local players he ever coached took on a Republic of Ireland Masters team in 2015 that included Packie Bonner, Ronnie Whelan & Ray Houghton in Camden.

Crosshaven players adored him. They respected him, responded to him, and would have run through brick walls for him. From time to time, old friends from his Chelsea days would visit — Barry Bridges, Chopper Harris, Paddy Mulligan and others — reminding us all of the giant he was in the game.

In London, Bobby was a superstar. 202 goals for his beloved Chelsea — a record that stood for decades until Frank Lampard came along. He loved returning to the Bridge, where he was worshipped. Seeing his “Tambling 202” banner proudly displayed and having a suite named in his honour always filled him with quiet pride. He cherished hearing the fans sing his name one more time and feeling the electric buzz of match day, which brought back so many beautiful memories of victories, friendships, and goals.

But no matter how much he loved Chelsea, Crosshaven was always home with his beloved Val. Walking the dogs, enjoying dinners with family and friends, having a flutter at the bookies, and being part of the local football community — these were the simple things that made him happiest.

Bobby leaves an enormous hole in all our lives. We are all better, kinder, and richer for having known him. His warmth, his wisdom, his humour and his love will stay with us forever.

To his loving family, his close friends, and his adoring Chelsea family — we send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. We have all lost a true legend, and a very special man.

To Valerie, despite his battle with Alzheimer’s, I clearly remember Bobby in a moment of clarity saying “she’s the best, I’d be lost without her” you cried but he was right. The dedication you showed to him was absolutely incredible.

Rest in peace, Bobby. You will never be forgotten.

[Chelsea FC Women @ChelseaFCW]

We've got McCabe. Katie McCabe.

[Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC]

Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. 🏆

Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now. ⭐️⭐️

[Chelsea Youth @chelseayouth]

AND STILL

[Andrew Dempsey @AndrewDempsey98]

No surprise though when you consider they conceded 34 goals at this stage last season compared to 18 this term. Also, despite the issues scoring, they've still scored a goal more (16 v 15)..

[Andrew Dempsey @AndrewDempsey98]

Timely & well-deserved win for @LongfordTownFC this evening. Just three points off the playoffs heading into the mid-season break & seven points up on last season's points total after 18 games. Looking promising once again

[Longford Town FC @LongfordTownFC]

⏱FT - It is all over here in Bishopsgate as Longford Town beat Treaty United 3-1.

We head into the mid-season break with three points on the board!

Longford Town 3-1 Treaty United

#Town2026 | #CmonDeTown | 🔴⚫

[Longford Town FC @LongfordTownFC]

⏱FT - It is all over here in Bishopsgate as Longford Town beat Treaty United 3-1.

We head into the mid-season break with three points on the board!

Longford Town 3-1 Treaty United

#Town2026 | #CmonDeTown | 🔴⚫

[Neil O'Riordan @noriordan]

Tennis ball protest at Aviva Stadiun. Large Palestine flag flying behind the goal.

[Kevin Coghlan @kevin_coghlan]

Wednesday's back page

[Andrew Dempsey @AndrewDempsey98]

@EmmanuelAyamga_ Some very familiar names haha

[Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC]

Another league double over Tottenham Hotspur! 😎

#CFC | #CHETOT

[Andrew Dempsey @AndrewDempsey98]

That'll do. Great night at the Bridge..

[League of Ireland @LeagueofIreland]

Kevin Doherty's thoughts on a dramatic night in the RSC for his Drogheda United side.

[Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 @IrelandFootball]

Announcing our squad for the upcoming fixtures against Qatar & Canada 🇮🇪🫡

Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has named a 24-man squad with a selection of first time call-ups 👏

Thu 28th May | 🇮🇪 v 🇶🇦
Sat 6th June | 🇨🇦 v 🇮🇪

[Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC]

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team.

The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi!