Former Dundalk boss Foster appointed first team coach at Portsmouth

Former Dundalk FC manager Ian Foster has been appointed as first team coach of English side Portsmouth.

The Liverpool native will work under new manager Paul Cook, who he would have went head to head with in his League of Ireland when Cook was in charge of Sligo Rovers.

Commenting on the Portsmouth website, Foster said: “The opportunity to work with Paul is something that I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ve known Paul for a long time and we share the same philosophy on how the game should be played.

“Pompey are a great club. I’m delighted to be here and very excited to get started in the role.”

Former Hereford, Kidderminster and Chester striker Foster has also managed Galway and most recently worked as first team coach and development coach at Coventry.

After coming in following Sean Connor’s departure, Foster managed Dundalk during the 2010 and 2011 campaigns during which time the Lilywhites finished sixth and seventh respectively. He also guided Dundalk to a 5-4 aggregrate victory over Luxembourg outfit Grevenmacher in the UEFA Europa League in July 2010 before Dundalk bowed out in the second qualifying round against Levski Sofia.

In 2011 he took the Lilywhites to the Setanta Sports Cup final, where they went down 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers.

Louth IFA express concern at increase in number of cattle raids

At the farm gate where the cattle were stolen was farmer Anthony Duffy (left) and Matthew McGreehan, Louth IFA Chairman

The Louth Branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association have expressed concern at the increase in the number of cattle raids in the county at present.

The IFA have released a statement encouraging people in rural areas to be vigilant to deal with what they describe as a “serious problem”.

Local farmer Anthony Duffy of Doolargy, Ravensdale had five bullocks stolen from him, between the late hours of Tuesday July 8^th and the early hours of the Wednesday July 9^th. The bullocks had consisted of two Charolais, two Aberdeen Angus and one black Hereford. The cattle were valued at approximately €7,500.

Anthony had checked the cattle at 10.30pm on Tuesday night and also 8am on Wednesday morning. When he arrived that morning the cattle were gone. The cattle were due to go to the factory the coming Friday.

Anthony said: “The thieves had prised the gate open and put it back so people wouldn’t notice. It’s becoming a major problem all over the country but especially in the border counties. They suspect that my cattle were brought to illegal abattoirs and are more than likely slaughtered by now.

“It is a huge loss to any farmer to lose cattle after looking after them for two years,” he said.

The farmer had no insurance that covered the theft – up until recently no insurance company offered this – but FBD are now offering an insurance policy which covers theft of livestock.

Louth IFA Chairman Matthew McGreehan said in a statement: “The Garda, PSNI and departments on each side of the border are going to have to cooperate more to deal with this serious problem.

“I hope to also meet with the local Superintendent to discuss this matter. I also ask for local people especially in rural areas to be vigilant and to raise an alarm if they see or suspect suspicious activity. If anyone in the area had seen anything please report it to the Gardaí or County Chairman.”