January 22nd
English Championship
Stoke City’s poor form continues. Friday evening’s loss to Watford means the Potters have failed to win in eight games. Nathan Collins started his 16th game of the season amid speculation surrounding his future at the club. James McClean completed the full ninety at left wing.
Belgian Pro League
A return to Belgium where Josh Cullen was given the captain’s armband by Vincent Kompany for Anderlecht’s goalless draw with Waasland-Beveren. Former Manchester City defender Kompany is a big fan of the 24-year-old midfielder. Speaking to Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure, he praised Cullen for his team ethic as “he only has one thing on his mind: the team. If the team wins, it’s because he did a lot of the jobs that the others cannot.” A huge confidence boost for the Irish international.
January 23rd
English Premier League
Newcastle United suffered yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Aston Villa. On the back of his new contract extension, Ciaran Clark missed the game through injury. Jeff Hendrick started the game in midfield.
English FA Cup
Sheffield United overcame League One side Plymouth Argyle to win their second FA Cup game this month. John Egan and Enda Stevens started at the back for the Blades in the 2-1 win.
Conor Hourihane made his debut for Swansea City as they trashed Nottingham Forrest 5-1. Ryan Manning set up Liam Cullen for Swansea’s fourth goal of the afternoon and will be now pushing for more minutes in the league.
Troy Parrott and Alex Pearce both featured as Millwall were knocked out by Bristol City after losing 3-0 at home.
English Championship
Jason Knight’s Derby County made it two wins on the bounce after narrowly beating QPR by one goal to nil.
English League One
There were only two Irish goalscorers in League One on Saturday and one of those was Rochdale left-back Jimmy Keohane. The 30-year-old scored a double in their 2-2 draw with Gillingham, bringing his tally up to five for the season.
At the top of the league, Anthony Scully scored a crucial winner against Northampton Town to draw them level on points with league leaders Hull City with one game in hand. Scully has now scored 10 goals in all competitions this campaign.
From Ireland prospect Anthony Scully to Irish veteran Aiden McGeady who assisted Charlie Wyke in Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town.
Exactly a week on from his first goal for Ipswich Town, Mark McGuinness put one in his own net which ultimately led to his team losing to third placed Peterborough United.
Conor Masterson got his first taste of action for Swindon Town after completing a loan switch from QPR to join fellow Irish U-21 international and ex-Lucan United teammate Mark Travers. Their game finished 2-2 with Charlton Athletic.
English League Two
John O’Sullivan played a vital part in Morcambe’s 3-0 win over Colchester United, assisting the second and scoring the third. A first-class performance which earned him a spot in the Whoscored.com League Two ‘Team of the Week’.
At Port Vale, Aston Villa youngster Tyreik Wright made an immediate impact on his debut for Walsall as his fine cross was met by Elijah Adebayo who headed home. The game finished 3-1 to Walsall.
Tranmere Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers was not short of drama on Saturday afternoon. Eoin Doyle set up Bolton’s first with the hopes of triggering a comeback. However, centre-half Ryan Delaney was sent off ten minutes later and the tie finished 2-1 to Tranmere.
Scottish Premiership
Aberdeen defeated Motherwell by two goals to nil and Tommie Hoban opened the scoring for the Dons with a well-placed header that looped over Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly.
January 24th
English FA Cup
In the first of Sunday’s FA Cup games, both Glen Rea and James Collins featured as Luton Town lost to Chelsea in Frank Lampard’s last game in charge.
Premier League sides Fulham and Burnley came head to head with Sean Dyche’s men coming out on top in this cup clash. Kevin Long started and scored Burnley’s third and final goal to wrap up the victory.
Everton also progress to the next round after beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0. Seamus Coleman started and played his part in the clean sheet while Ciaran Brennan started at the back for Wednesday. Despite the scoreline, Brennan was one of a few who impressed Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson.
Alex Gilbert was given a run out for the final ten minutes in Brentford’s defeat to Leicester City.
English Championship
Jayson Molumby and Alan Browne (deputising at right back) started in Preston’s 0-0 draw with fifth placed Reading, meanwhile Darragh Lenihan and co kept a clean sheet in Blackburn’s win over Middlesbrough.
Australian A-League
Again we head to Australia but this time it is Roy O’Donovan grabbing the headlines. The 35-year-old Corkman assisted Newcastle Jet’s first and scored the second in a 2-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix. The winning goal was particularly special for O’Donovan as it was his 50th in the A-League.
January 25th
English FA Cup
Irish duo Matt Doherty (injury) and Daryl Horgan (unknown) missed out on Spurs’ tie with Wycombe Wanderers in the cup. Mourinho’s side were comfortable winners in the end with the game finishing 4-1.
January 26th
English Premier League
Jeff Hendrick, Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson all started as their respective teams, Newcastle United and West Brom, both lost again. West Brom remain second bottom in the league while Newcastle are lingering above the relegation zone in 16th place.
English Championship
Millwall kept a clean sheet against Watford in a goalless draw at the Den. Danny McNamara started his fifth consecutive game for Millwall since his loan spell with St. Johnstone was cut short.
English League One
It was a quiet evening in the third tier with the only Irish goal coming from Olamide Shodipo. The Oxford United striker saved the day from the bench with a 92nd minute winner against Rochdale to mark his eight goal of the campaign. A mistake from fellow Irishman Gavin Bazunu was punished by Shodipo who audaciously lobbed it in from 40 yards to clinch the win.
January 27th
English Premier League
Robbie Brady got another 60 minutes under his belt in Burnley’s comeback against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. Burnley have now won three on the bounce.
There was a spot on Brighton’s bench for Aaron Connolly on his return from injury while in Manchester, David McGoldrick’s Sheffield United provided one of the biggest upsets of the season so far by beating Manchester United 2-1. John Egan (suspension) and Enda Stevens (injury) were missing from the Blades’ squad.
English Championship
Conor Hourihane is off the mark at Swansea after his cross/shot evaded everyone in the Brentford box and nestled into the bottom corner. Hourihane will be hoping it is the first of many during his loan spell with Swansea.
Scottish Premiership
Now to Scotland where all of the action occurred on Wednesday evening. There were five goals for St. Mirren against Dundee United and four Irish players contributed to four of those goals.
Conor McCarthy’s knock-on found Joe Shaughnessy who headed home to get the ball rolling for St. Mirren, with Jamie McGrath scoring the next two from the spot and Dylan Connolly adding a fourth. Kristian Dennis’s made it five to further pour salt on Dundee’s wounds. A fine display from the Irish lads!
Jaze Kabia netted his first goal for Livingston in their 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock. Livingston are now five points behind fourth placed Hibernian with one game in hand.
Elsewhere, Motherwell full-back Jake Carroll set up Bevis Mugabi for the winning goal against Ross County. Celtic got their first win in five games and Shane Duffy continues his run in the team. The game against Hamilton Academical ended 2-0 to the champions thanks to goals from forwards Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard.
January 28th
English Premier League
Matt Doherty started at left wing-back and finished the game at right-back after a change of shape for Spurs proved in vain with the match finishing 3-1 to Liverpool.