April 9th
Scottish Championship
On Friday night, Aaron McEneff scored his first goal for Hearts as they cruised to a 6-0 victory against Alloa Athletic. His first goal in Scotland and it may be the best he will score. McEneff found himself some space in the Alloa box before looping it over the first defender, sending the next man for a hot dog and finally placing it into the bottom corner.
April 10th
English Premier League
James McCarthy made his return from injury in Crystal Palace’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. It was the midfielder’s first appearance since the 0-0 draw with Manchester United at the beginning of March.
English Championship
Swansea City returned to winning ways against Millwall, their first victory in five games. The game ended 3-0 to the visitors with Ryan Manning and Conor Hourihane both starting and the latter setting up Andre Ayew for the opening goal.
There was another clean sheet for Nottingham Forest, this time away to Bristol City, and another spot in the Whoscored.com ‘Team of the Week’ for Cyrus Christie who appears to be a permanent fixture in the team as of late.
Andrew Omobamidele also is starting to become a permanent member of the Norwich City starting eleven. The 18-year-old started his third successive game for the Canaries in a 1-0 win against Derby County. Fellow Ireland U-21 international Louie Watson appeared for the final few minutes of the clash, along with Ireland U-19 international Festy Ebosele who made his league debut for the Rams.
English League One
On Saturday Lincoln City were 2-0 down against Blackpool and with just 15 minutes left on the clock. Up steps Anthony Scully who was on the pitch for just three minutes before he volleyed in their first and then less than 10 minutes later he assisted the second to make it 2-2, ensuring his team did not come away empty-handed.
Wigan Athletic travelled to Doncaster Rovers and came away with three points and four goals. Will Keane scored the final goal of the game to make it 4-1 in a win that moves Wigan up to 21st in the league.
Oxford United were also 6-0 winners against Crewe Alexandra with Mark Sykes setting up the first goal of the afternoon.
Elsewhere, one Irish youngster returns from injury while another is ruled out for the rest of the season. Jack Taylor continued his comeback in Peterborough United’s 3-0 win over Swindon Town, while MK Dons had to do without Warren O’Hora in their draw with Ipswich Town. Dons manager Russell Martin confirmed that the defender could potentially miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
Eoghan O’Connell’s second-half own goal was all that separated his Rochdale team and Fleetwood Town as the game finished 1-0 to the home side.
English League Two
Seventeen goals and counting for the main man Eoin Doyle at Bolton Wanderers. The striker scored the winner against Harrogate Town in the 78th minute which keeps them in the automatic promotion places in League Two.
Bradford City centre-half Anthony O’Connor coolly netted his second goal of the season in their victory over Grimsby Town.
After going 14 games without a win, Walsall finally got three points on the board. They beat Forest Green Rovers 2-1 and Emmanuel Osadebe assisted both goals in the decisive win.
Richie Towell also grabbed an assist this weekend in Salford City’s 2-1 win at home to Stevenage Town.
Scottish Premiership
Fourth placed Aberdeen have now moved four points clear of Livingston in fifth place thanks to a Johnny Hayes winner against St Johnstone on Saturday.
April 11th
English Premier League
Ciaran Clark was the only Irish international to start from the off in Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Burnley. Jeff Hendrick was given a run out in stoppage time while Robbie Brady and Kevin Long both remain sidelined through injury.
Sheffield United suffered another defeat, this time against Arsenal at Bramall Lane. John Egan made his first start since his return from injury, lining up alongside Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick.
Belgian Pro League
Josh Cullen featured for the first time since the international break and made an instant impact from the bench in Anderlecht’s late comeback against Club Brugge who occupy top spot in the Pro League. The Irish midfielder set up Lokongo for the winning goal in the 76th minute, 10 minutes after his introduction from the bench.
April 12th
English Premier League
Three goals in two games for Callum Robinson. Before his brace against Chelsea last week, the forward had managed just three goals in 41 Premier League appearances. Robinson raced through on goal and buried it past Saints keeper Fraser Forster to make it 3-0 to the Baggies. Dara O’Shea also impressed at the back in the vital win.
Everton were also in action on Monday. Their game with Brighton finished all square and Seamus Coleman demonstrated his defensive and attacking qualities throughout the 90 minutes. The full-back created three out of four of Everton’s chances on the night and also made the joint most interceptions.
April 13th
English Championship
There was a second win on the bounce for Ryan Manning and Conor Hourihane at Swansea in a 2-0 victory away to Sheffield Wednesday. The win takes the Swans back up to third in the league, two points ahead of Brentford who have a game in hand.
English League One
Tuesday ‘s game marked a first win in five for Rochdale as they continue their fight for survival in League One. The six-pointer against second bottom club Swindon Town finished 2-1 to the home side thanks to two Irishmen. Jimmy Keohane made it look easy for the first, taking the ball down on his chest and curling it into the top corner. Ireland U-21 international Conor Grant was also on the scoresheet, netting his first in a Rochdale shirt and clinching the win for the Dale.
From two goalscorers to two goal providers. Aiden McGeady notched up his 13th assist of the campaign in Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic, while Shane McLoughlin set up the final goal in Wimbledon’s 3-0 win over Ipswich Town.
English League Two
It has been a productive week for Emmanuel Osadebe. The Irish midfielder scored the goal of the night with a stunning effort from outside the area which turned out to be the winner as Walsall beat Tranmere Rovers.
Conor Wilkinson opened the scoring, his 11th of the season, with a classy finish in Leyton Orient’s draw with Harrogate Town.
Exeter City defender Pierce Sweeney got on the end of a corner to pull one back but it was too late in the day with 94 minutes on the clock. The game ended 2-1 to Barrow.
John O’Sullivan set up the first two goals for Morecambe in a convincing 4-1 victory against Scunthorpe United. The Shrimps move up to fourth in the league after Tranmere’s defeat to Walsall.
Australian A-League
Roy O’Donovan and Andy Keogh came head to head in the Australian A-League on Tuesday. Keogh assisted Joel Chianese as Perth Glory took the lead, however O’Donovan converted a penalty for Newcastle Jets just over five minutes later to bring the game level. The result means both teams remain in the bottom three of the table.