Irish Abroad: Blackburn news Duff drives Blackburn upwards - March 15, 2001 Damien Duff scored a cracking winner last night as Blackburn pressed home their challenge for automatic promotion to the Premiership. Rovers lie in third place in the table, level on points with second-placed Bolton and fourth-placed Birmingham, after beating the latter 2-0 at St. Andrew's. full story » Murphy out for fortnight more - March 9, 2001 Highly promising Irish youngster Peter Murphy - on loan from Blackburn to Halifax until the end of the season - will be out of action for at least another fortnight after injuring his ankle. full story » No more jigs, pledges Mahon! - March 8, 2001 Republic of Ireland international Alan Mahon has promised to change his goal celebration - because the curent routine is embarassing his dad! full story » Bolton want Kenna - March 8, 2001 Bolton - knocked out of the FA Cup last night by Blackburn - are preparing a new bid for one of Ewood's want-away Irish stars. full story » Souness: I'm no racist - March 6, 2001 Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness has hit out about being called Anti-Irish. The former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder said he was sickened when he heard about the accusations. full story » Burgess leads the way in Australia - March 5, 2001 Irish underage international Ben Burgess is making a big name for himself in Australia. The 19-year-old, who was loaned to Northern Spirit at the start of the season, has joined two players on top of the scoring charts after scoring his 13th goal of the season at the weekend. full story » Kenna blames transfer doubt - March 1, 2001 Blackburn's Jeff Kenna is blaming uncertainty over the transfer system for his failure to find a new club. The Republic of Ireland full back wants away from Ewood Park - but believes clubs are afraid to take the plunge because of the transfer row between UEFA and the European Union. full story » Delap, McAteer set to return - February 22, 2001 Republic of Ireland international Rory Delap is on the comeback trail. The Derby County utility man - included in the Irish squad for the friendly against Denmark next Wednesday - damaged his knee ligaments against Sunderland a fortnight ago but is set to return to Derby's first team against Aston Villa on Saturday. full story » Duff: hands off say Blackburn - February 20, 2001 Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has rebuffed Newcastle United's attempts to sign Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff - and has stepped up his own bid to sign another Irishman, Alan Mahon, from Sporting Lisbon. full story » Burgess brace breaks record - February 19, 2001 Without Ben Burgess Australian side Northern Spirit would be facing relegation. The Republic of Ireland underage international, who is on loan in Australia from Blackburn, added his tenth and eleventh goals of the season to give Spirit their first win in six games. full story » Duff Newcastle-bound? - February 16, 2001 English sites are reporting that Newcastle United are again showing interest in Blackburn's Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff. full story » Kelly could stay at Ewood - February 8, 2001 Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Alan Kelly could be staying at Ewood Park after all, following a getaway bid by colleague John Filan. full story » 'Keeper tells Cardiff: come and get me - January 31, 2001 Irish international 'keeper Alan Kelly has issued a "Come and get me" plea to Cardiff manager Alan Cork. full story » Bohs to link with Blackburn - January 26, 2001 Bohemians are set to become the latest Eircom League club to forge formal links with an English outfit. Hot on the heels of Cork City's deal with Leicester City, the Gypsies are to tie the net with Nationwide division one club Blackburn Rovers. full story » Now Kenna wants away - January 11, 2001 Senior international full back Jeff Kenna is the latest Irish player to be shown the door at Ewood Park - and he can't get away quickly enough, despite Blackburn moving into promotion contention last night. full story » Kelly can go, says Souness - January 5, 2001 Blackburn manager Graham Souness last night told Irish international goalkeeper Alan Kelly: "You can leave Ewood". full story » McAteer to be a Bhoy? - December 19, 2000 Jason McAteer's swashbuckling performance in Saturday's derby against Burnley had Blackburn manager Graham 'Paddy' O'Sounessy drooling - but the Irish international could soon be on his way from Ewood Park. full story » Kelly could be emergency owl - December 15, 2000 Former Blade Alan Kelly could be pressed into service as an emergency Owl in tomorrow's Sheffield derby. full story » Kelly to take step up? - December 7, 2000 The odds on Irish international 'keeper Alan Kelly returning to the Premiership are shortening, with Sunderland joining Leicester on the interested list. full story » Coventry sign Carsley - December 1, 2000 Lee Carsley's nightmare at Blackburn Rovers finally came to an end this morning when Coventry unveiled the Irish midfielder at a press conference at Highfield Road. full story » Souness says: I'm no racist - November 29, 2000 Blackburn boss Graham Souness has angrily rejected suggestions - from kickin' as well as others - that he is operating an anti-Irish policy at the club. full story » Leicester could save Kelly - November 22, 2000 Alan Kelly needs to get away from Blackburn Rovers and his chance could come over the next couple of days with the news that Leicester goalkeeper Tim Flowers has damaged a shoulder which could force him out for a lengthy period. full story » Duff makes satisfactory return - November 22, 2000 Ireland winger Damien Duff returned to action last night for Blackburn's reserve team after over a month out with a torn hamstring and the wing wizard came through an hour of play without any problems. full story » McAteer linked with Southampton - November 20, 2000 Jason McAteer is the latest Irish player to be linked with a move away from Blackburn Rovers with the news that Southampton boss Glenn Hoddle is lining up a move for his services. full story » Kelly stunned by Souness decision - November 16, 2000 Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly has been left shocked and stunned by Graeme Souness' decision to relegate him to No.3 goalkeeper at Blackburn Rovers. full story » Treble joy for Burgess - November 6, 2000 Despite being sent halfway around the world to play soccer, Ireland's Ben Burgess seems to be settling in well with Australian outfit Northern Spirit - and even helped them to a fine win over Kingz FC over the weekend with a hat trick, his first senior goals Down Under. full story » Kelly set to leave Blackburn - November 3, 2000 Republic of Ireland No.1 choice goalkeeper is facing the prospect of being No.3 choice at his club, Blackburn, after American Brad Friedel arrived at the club yesterday. full story » Murphy jumped at Halifax chance - November 1, 2000 Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness has pushed another Irishman out the door at Ewood Park - but former St. Joseph's Boy Peter Murphy is not complaining. full story » Duff out for six weeks - October 19, 2000 Damien Duff has injured his hamstring, which could keep him out of the game for up to six weeks. That means he will almost certainly miss Ireland's next international, which is on November 15 at Lansdowne Road against Finland. full story » Irish clearout set to continue at Ewood - October 19, 2000 What is Graeme Souness' problem with Irish players? The Blackburn boss seems to be doing everything in his power to alienate the huge Irish contingent at Ewood Park and it is working. full story » Kelly comes through training - October 5, 2000 Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Alan Kelly came through training yesterday with the Irish team and is now definite to start against Portugal on Saturday night in Portugal. full story » Kerr unsure about Burgess move - October 4, 2000 Ben Burgess' year-long loan to Australian side Northern Spirit has left Irish underage kingpin Brian Kerr a little confused. full story » Burgess is Spirited away to Australia - October 3, 2000 Irish youth international Ben Burgess will have a long journey ahead of him if he is to play for his country this season. The 18-year-old Blackburn Rovers striker has been loaned out for the season to Australian side Northern Spirit. full story » Kelly injury blow - September 28, 2000 Ireland's No.1 choice goalkeeper, Alan Kelly, is unlikely to be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Estonia. full story » Yankee rumours link Kelly with Leicester - September 12, 2000 Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Alan Kelly is being linked with a move to Premiership Leicester, making room for Brad Friedel to move to Blackburn, according to reports in the American media. full story » Duff hits two in Worthington Cup - September 7, 2000 Republic of Ireland midfielder Damien Duff scored two goals for Blackburn as they romped to an easy 6-1 win against Rochdale in the Worthington Cup first round, second leg last night at Ewood Park. full story » Shame on you Pat - September 5, 2000 Pat Dolan's shameful column in today's Irish Star should never have been given print space. The outspoken St. Pat's boss reckons that Phil Babb and Jason McAteer should have never been picked for Ireland because they are not Irish. full story » Carsley withdraws transfer request - August 15, 2000 Republic of Ireland and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Lee Carlsey has decided to remain at his club for the foreseeable future. Carsley handed in a shock transfer request during the summer but has since had a heart-to-heart with manager Graeme Souness which has convinced him to stay on. full story » Harte-attack for Blackburn - August 3, 2000 Leeds overcame Blackburn in a pre-season friendly last night, thanks to a triple treat of goals from Ian Harte. full story » Battle ahead for Irish goalkeepers - July 28, 2000 Alan Kelly and Joe Murphy have a serious battle ahead this season. They have lost out on the No.1 jersies at Blackburn and Tranmere Rovers respectively and they will have their work cut out to get them back. full story » Carsley wants out of Ewood - July 19, 2000 Lee Carsley has sensationally handed in a transfer request at Ewood Park. The Blackburn midfielder wants to move back to the Premiership and after hearing that both Coventry and Middlesbrough were interested he decided it was time to make a stand. full story » Blackburn give Irish youngsters their chance - July 12, 2000 Blackburn Rovers flew out to Germany on Monday for their first pre-season fixtures and Irish u18 internationals Ben Burgess and Peter Murphy were included in the 22-man travelling party. full story » Sounness chases Staunton - July 10, 2000 Blackburn are the latest team to be interested in signing Steve Staunton, the Republic of Ireland international, who now looks certain to leave Liverpool. full story » Kenna close to recovery - June 14, 2000 Jeff Kenna's time in the footballing wilderness could be coming to and end, according to reports from his club Blackburn Rovers. The Irish international full back has been plagued by injuries for the last couple of years but he is now on the verge of a return to first-team action. full story » Souness says Duff is not for sale - June 1, 2000 Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness issued a 'hands off Damien Duff' warning last night. full story »