April 23rd

English Premier League

Everton kept their top four hopes alive with a win over Arsenal on Friday night. Seamus Coleman captained the side in a 1-0 victory which leaves the Toffees in eight place, six points off Chelsea in fourth with a game in hand.

April 24th

English Premier League

David McGoldrick netted his seventh goal of the Premier League campaign (eight goals in all competitions) in Sheffield United’s 1-0 victory over Brighton. Despite the struggles of his team, McGoldrick has had one of his most prolific seasons in front of goal at this level. Enda Stevens, John Egan and Aaron Connolly all featured in the game.

Newcastle United scored a 95th minute equalizer against Liverpool after initially having goal ruled out through a controversial VAR decision. Ciaran Clark’s afternoon lasted just over an hour before he was substituted.

English Championship

Alan Browne converted a second-half penalty as Preston go three games unbeaten after a poor run of results since the turn of the year. Sean Maguire also played in the 1-0 win, his first start in over a month.

Darragh Lenihan and Richard Keogh went head-to-head in a seven goal thriller at Ewood Park. Blackburn Rovers came out on top, beating Huddersfield Town 5-2.

There were also starts for Jason Knight in Derby County’s defeat to Birmingham City, Cyrus Christie in Nottingham Forest’s draw with Stoke City, and Andrew Omobamidele as Norwich City returned to winning ways away to QPR.

English League One

Ronan Curtis was the only Irish goalscorer in League One on Saturday. Two goals in two games and 13 for the season for the 25-year-old who’s 27th minute strike was enough to seal the victory for Pompey against Bristol Rovers. Curtis executed a perfect one-two with George Byers before placing it into the bottom corner.

Six goals were scored at the Stadium of Light but neither team came away with the three points after Accrington Stanley found a late equalizer against Sunderland. Aiden McGeady set up Charlie Wyke for Sunderland’s second goal of the game.

Anthony Scully took a break from scoring on the weekend, instead turning provider for Lincoln City’s Lewis Montsma. However, an 83rd minute winner from Hull City earned them the win and promotion from the third tier.

At Crewe, Conor Shaughnessy was involved in a dramatic finish as he assisted Matt Done for a 97th minute leveler against the home team. Rochdale are now four games unbeaten but still remain in the relegation zone.

At the other end of the table, Oxford United’s win over Plymouth Argyle keeps them in the play-off spots. Mark Sykes set up the second goal of the afternoon.

English League Two

Emmanuel Osadebe had a hand in both goals for Walsall in their win over Scunthorpe United. The Irish midfielder met a cross at the back post to open the scoring, and his free-kick was eventually turned in by Josh Gordon to give Walsall a 2-0 victory.

Joshua Kayode’s equalizer against Harrogate Town was his first goal since the end of February. The Ireland U-21 striker headed in a free-kick in the 75th minute to earn his team a point.

Elsewhere, Richie Towell was sent-off in Salford City’s victory over Mansfield Town.

Scottish Championship

It was comfortable win for Scottish Championships champions Hearts on Saturday afternoon. Aaron McEneff scored his second goal of the season and Hearts’ second goal of the game with a well-taken finish in a 3-0 win over Inverness.

April 25th

English Premier League

Dara O’Shea dropped to the bench while Callum Robinson kept his place in the starting eleven as West Brom were minutes away from another victory before Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis found the back of the net in stoppage time.

English Championship

With Luton Town 2-0 down at half-time, James Collins was called from the bench. Fifteen minutes into the second-half he scored Luton’s first with a deft header. Ten minutes later they had a second before Collins set up Harry Cornick to score a third and complete the comeback in the 74th minute. Impact sub.

Conor Hourihane started in the other Championship game of the day, a 2-2 draw between Reading and Swansea City.

MLS

In our first ever trip across to America, we head to Atlanta first where Gabriel Heinze won his first game as manager of his new club. Dubliner Jake Mulraney played his part in the win, demonstrating some terrific footwork before his shot was parried to Emerson Hydnman who made no mistake with the finish.

Ex-Atlanta United player and Dundalk native man Jon Gallagher set up Austin’s second goal, just a minute after being substituted on, in a 3-1 victory away to Colorado Rapids.

April 26th

English Premier League

James McCarthy played the final few minutes in Crystal Palace’s defeat to Leicester City.

Scottish Cup

St Mirren’s cup journey continues after they knocked out Kilmarnock on penalties. Jamie McGrath set up the first goal of the game after keeper Colin Doyle fumbled the ball into the net. However, Kilmarnock pulled two goals back to make it 2-1 before Irish defender Joe Shaughnessy bailed out Mirren in the 84th minute to take the tie to extra-time. Kilmarnock took the lead again before McGrath saved the day, yet again, from the penalty spot. Both players also converted their spot kicks in the shootout as St Mirren won 5-4 which means they progress to the semi-finals.

April 27th

English Championship

Following on from his first start since September last year, Chiedozie Ogbene continued his comeback from injury with his second successive start in Rotherham’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford.

English League One

Jimmy Keohane is a man in form. The wing-back scored his third goal in five games in Rochdale’s 3-3 draw with Wimbledon, heading the ball in at the back post after a knock-on from Conor Shaughnessy who also set up Rochdale’s second goal of the game.

Peterborough United were flying in their tie with Doncaster Rovers, 2-0 up after 23 minutes and Jack Taylor claimed an assist for the second goal. Automatic promotion was within their grasp… until Doncaster worked their way back into the game, scoring two goals and subsequently delaying Peterborough’s promotion party.

A special mention also to Aiden McGeady whose impressive performances since his return to the Sunderland starting eleven in Decemeber earned him a place in the League One ‘Team of the Season’.

English League Two

Joshua Kayode opened the scoring for Carlisle with a terrific header, his second goal in as many games, in their 1-1 draw with top of the table Cheltenham Town.

Exeter City scored a last minute goal (assisted by Pierce Sweeney) to beat Grimsby Town by three goals to two.

Another Irish midfielder made a ‘Team of the Season’ and his name was more than likely the first name on the team sheet. Cambridge United’s Wes Hoolahan has had a season to remember. His team are one point away from promotion, he has been nominated for the Player of the Season accolade and this week he was included in the League Two ‘Team of the Season’.

April 28th

Australian A-League

Jay O’Shea assisted Brisban Roar’s second goal in a 4-0 win over Central Coast Mariners.

April 29th

Scottish League Two

A 2-0 win for Queens Park was the icing on the cake of their trophy celebration night on Thursday. Luca Connell sealed the win for the league champions with a low strike from outside the area against Edinburgh City.