February 5th
English Championship
The gap between Norwich City in first and Swansea City in third is now four points thanks to yet another Conor Hourihane goal. His third goal in as many games and the pick of the bunch so far as he found the bottom corner from 30 yards out with a beautiful strike.
Scottish Championship
Aaron McEneff got his first taste of Scottish football after making the switch from Shamrock Rovers to Hearts. He was introduced in the 66th minute with Hearts one goal to the good against Ayr United.
February 6th
English Premier League
Two Irish internationals featured in the Premier League on Saturday. Aaron Connolly started his first game since January 2nd when he was injured against Wolves. Brighton’s game with Burnley finished all square.
Despite a Jeff Hendrick red card after a second bookable offence, Newcastle held on against Southampton to claim their second win in three games.
English Championship
Scott Hogan was back amongst the goals this weekend for Birmingham but unfortunately for the Blues, Hogan’s double was not enough as they lost 3-2 to Bournemouth.
The first for Hogan was a gift from Bournemouth shot stopper Asmir Begovic whose attempt to parry a cross resulted in a tap in for the Irish international. His second came from well-timed run and finished with a deft header. Shane Long was thrown straight into Bournemouth’s starting eleven to make his debut after his deadline day move.
From one Irish striker to another at Luton Town. James Collins is now into double figures for the campaign and it may be the easiest one he will score all season as he tapped in from two yards. Huddersfield Town equalized in the 74th minute to secure a point.
Millwall are one point off the top half of the table after their comfortable 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Shaun Williams set up Ryan Leonard for Millwall’s first of three goals in the second half.
There was a first clean sheet in six league games for Stoke City and Nathan Collins as they drew 0-0 with fourth placed Reading. James McClean also featured for the full ninety minutes.
Preston’s poor form continues as they lost to Rotherham by two goals to one. Joe Rafferty’s own goal after one minute set the tone for Preston who have only one win to their name in 2021. Sean Maguire and Jayson Molumby both featured for Preston.
Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forrest won their second game on the bounce, beating Wycombe Wanderers 3-0. Cyrus Christie and Daryl Horgan both started the game for their respective teams.
English League One
There was a second debut of the season for Troy Parrott, this time at Ipswich Town. However, it was fellow Irish international Alan Judge whose name was on the scoresheet. Ipswich beat Blackpool 2-0 with Mark McGuinness playing his part at the other end in keeping a clean sheet. It was McGuiness who started the attack for Ipswich, with the ball ending up at Judge’s feet. Two touches, one to control and his second pinged into the bottom corner.
It was a quiet afternoon at Portsmouth until the 71st minute when Plymouth Argyle went one up before grabbing a second ten minutes later. That didn’t stop Portsmouth from mounting a comeback however. Ronan Curtis, on as a substitute, netted his ninth of the season with a fine solo finish and one minute later Marcus Harness set up James Bolton for a late equalizer.
The scoring doesn’t stop there. Off to Doncaster Rovers who were hosting Oxford United and yes it was that man again. Olamide Shodipo was introduced at half-time and went on to score his tenth goal of the season, but it was not enough for Oxford who lost 3-2.
Finally to MK Dons vs Sunderland where Aiden McGeady assisted both of Sunderland’s goals, while Joe Mason bagged the first for MK Dons but neither side could find a breakthrough and the tie finished all square.
English League Two
A second start for ex-UCD man Simon Power at Harrogate Town and a first goal. The victory was wrapped up before half-time thanks to Power’s strike in added time to take their tally to three goals against Crawley Town.
Exeter City centre-half Pierce Sweeney scored his first of the campaign in their win over Bradford City. While at Stevenage, John O’Sullivan got his third assist of the season for Morecambe. The game finished 2-2.
Scottish Premiership
A St. Mirren side including Conor McCarthy, Joe Shaughnessy, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jamie McGrath won 2-0 against Kilmarnock and they now move to sixth in the league with a game in hand on fourth placed Aberdeen and fifth placed Livingston. A top six finish is the goal that McGrath alluded to in his recent interview with IFFTV.
Australian A-League
Simon Cox scored his first goal of the season in Western Sydney Wanderers’ draw with Macarthur.
February 7th
English Premier League
John Egan was the only Irish international to take to the pitch in Sunday’s Premier League games. He played the full ninety as Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Chelsea.
Belgian Pro League
Anderlecht move into the top four after their big win over third placed Genk, who they are now just two points behind. Josh Cullen got another ninety minutes under his belt.
Indian Super League
A first trip to the Indian Super League where former Irish international Anthony Pilkington is plying his trade for East Bengal. He bagged his second goal of the season in their 2-1 win.
February 9th
English FA Cup
A centre-half pairing of Irishmen Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne failed to keep out Brentford as Burnley were knocked out by the Championship side.
Ademipo Odubeko earned a second appearance for West Ham when he was introduced as a substitute against his former club Manchester United in Tuesday’s FA Cup clash. The 18-year-old striker was later subbed off in extra time and West Ham went on to lose the tie.
English League One
A second goal on the bounce for Ronan Curtis at Portsmouth. The winger was at the back post to volley home past fellow Irish international and Swindon Town keeper Mark Travers. The game finished 2-0 to the Pompey.
Dubliner Paddy Madden became Fleetwood Town’s record EFL goal scorer after he scored his 42nd goal for the club in their 3-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. A tremendous achievement for Madden!
Sunderland missed their opportunity to break into the top six despite a first half goal from Aiden O’Brien. Two second half goals from Shrewsbury Town ensured all three points went to the home side.
Elsewhere, Anthony Forde set up Brandon Barker for a stoppage time goal in Oxford United’s 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers.
League Two
In the fourth tier, Salford City were convincing winners against Cambridge United. The game finished 4-1 and Richie Towell made it three for the season with a terrific volley from outside the box.
Eoin Doyle slotted the ball home for his 11th goal of the season in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Morecambe. The point takes them up to 19th in the table.
Tyreik Wright claimed his second assist in his second start for Walsall in their draw with Mansfield Town.
Cheltenham Town full-back Sean Long also set up William Boyle for the only goal of the game as they beat Harrogate Town.
February 10th
English FA Cup
Swansea City managed to get a late consolation goal against Premier League leaders Manchester City after Morgan Whittaker controlled Ryan Manning’s cross inside the box before finding the bottom corner.
Sheffield United continue their cup run with a 1-0 win over Bristol City. John Egan started at the back with David McGoldrick playing in behind the two strikers.
There was a nine goal thriller at Goodison Park as Everton beat Spurs 5-4 after Bernard scored the winning goal in extra-time. Seamus Coleman was introduced just after half-time to put his stamp on the game and that he did, putting in an excellent shift at full-back.
Scottish Premiership
Jamie McGrath was forced off through injury after just 15 minutes of St. Mirren’s game with Celtic. The Bhoys went on to win the game by four goals to nil. Shane Duffy got twenty minutes under his belt, coming on as a second half substitute.
In the other game of the night at Kilmarnock there was a clean sheet and a win for Jake Carroll and Motherwell.
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