March 12th
English Premier League
Unfortunately for Ciaran Clark there was nothing he could do about Aston Villa’s goal on Friday night. An attempted block from Ollie Watkins’s shot ended up in his own net in the 86th minute. However, Newcastle United pulled on back in the fourth minute of stoppage time which meant the points were shared.
March 13th
English Premier League
There was a fourth consecutive start for Dara O’Shea at centre-back in West Brom’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Robbie Brady and Seamus Coleman featured for the final portion of the game in Burnley’s 2-1 away win against Everton.
English Championship
After what was a nightmare week for Stephen Kenny in terms of injuries, he needed some positivity and that came from several Irish internationals who found the net in the weekend games.
Firstly to Luton where Swansea City beat the home side by one goal to nil thanks to a move that was started by Ryan Manning and finished off by Conor Hourihane.
It didn’t take Callum O’Dowda long to find the net on his return from injury. The Irish winger was introduced from the bench in the 75th minute and scored a minute later to make it 3-0 to Bristol City against Birmingham City.
Alex Pearce and Jason Knight both featured in Millwall’s 1-0 victory over Derby County.
While at Wycombe, Sean Maguire started his first game since returning from injury. Wycombe were the winners in that tie, beating Preston by one goal to nil.
English League One
Finally there was a first professional goal for Troy Parrott. The 19-year-old scored his first goal at Ipswich Town which turned out the be the winning goal in their game with Plymouth Argyle. Parrott was quickest to react to a poor back pass, before rounding the keeper and slotting home.
Rochdale, with six Irish players in their starting eleven, provided the biggest upset of the weekend in League One by beating then third placed Lincoln City 2-1. The crucial win takes Rochdale off bottom spot in the league with just three points between them and and Wigan in 20th place.
English League Two
In League Two, Irish defender Paudie O’Connor managed to score a second-half consolation goal for Bradford City against Carlisle United.
Wes Hoolahan’s Cambridge United returned to winning ways against Oldham Athletic which means they remain second in the league on goal difference, just ahead of Forest Green Rovers. Cambridge also remain unbeaten in 2021 when Hoolahan has been in the side.
Scottish Championship
In the Scottish second tier, Aaron McEneff started his fourth consecutive game for Hearts who are now unbeaten in eight games after a 2-0 victory over Ayr United.
March 14th
English Premier League
Sheffield United’s first game since the sacking of Chris Wilder didn’t go as planned as they were thrashed 5-0 by Leicester City. Enda Stevens started for the Blades.
Matt Doherty also started at full-back for Spurs in a North London derby defeat to Arsenal. It was a tough afternoon for Doherty with most of Arsenal’s play coming down the left through Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith-Rowe.
English Football League Trophy
Sunderland ended their 48-year winless streak at Wembley Stadium after beating Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy Final. Aiden McGeady continues to impress, adding another assist to his tally after his defence-splitting pass found Lynden Gooch who scored and won the final for Sunderland.
Australian A-League
Andy Keogh set up Perth Glory’s second goal in a 2-2 draw with Central Coast Mariners.
March 16th
English Championship
On Tuesday evening there was a first-team debut for Louie Watson for Derby County in their 2-2 draw with fourth placed Brentford. Watson’s week got even better on Thursday when he earned his first Ireland U-21 call-up. Jason Knight also played the full ninety minutes as Derby came from two goals down to earn a well-deserved point.
At Middlesbrough, Alan Browne was sent-off in the 36th minute and Preston went on to lose 2-0 to the home side. Jayson Molumby was introduced at half-time.
Glen Rea started at the back in Luton Town’s 2-0 win over Coventry City.
A Swansea City team, including Conor Hourihane and Ryan Manning, lost 3-0 to Bournemouth. Swansea are now three points off the automatic promotion spots.
English League One
Olamide Shodipo scored his 11th goal of the campaign in Oxford United’s 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers. The Irish forward slotted home Oxford’s third on the stroke of half-time.
English League Two
Mansfield Town snatched a late equaliser through Irish midfielder Stephen McLaughlin in their tie with Carlisle United. McLaughlin’s well-taken free-kick in the 80th minute meant the points were shared at the One Call Stadium.
Emmanuel Osadebe was also on the scoresheet for Walsall in their 1-1 draw with Crawley Town. Osadebe tucked home a penalty to mark his first goal for the club.
At Cheltenham, Irish defender Sean Long put one in his own net in their 2-0 defeat to Barrow.
March 17th
English Championship
On Wednesday night, Birmingham City got off to a flying start under new manager Lee Bowyer. They beat Reading 2-1 and Scott Hogan played the full ninety minutes.
There was a clean sheet for Darragh Lenihan at Blackburn Rovers in their goalless draw with Bristol City. The Rovers captain will be disappointed he missed out on the Ireland squad for the upcoming international fixtures.
Fellow Irish centre-back Richard Keogh continues to be a mainstay at the back for Huddersfield Town. The 34-year-old has started 12 out of Huddersfield’s 13 games since his arrival in January and his inclusion in the Ireland squad was considered by Stephen Kenny, however he missed out on the final draft.
English League One
Another one who may be disappointed that he missed out on the Ireland squad is Aiden McGeady. The midfielder started in Sunderland’s fifth consecutive win, a 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley. The League One side are now unbeaten in 10 games and up to third in the league.