March 20th

English Premier League

Newcastle United’s baron spell continued on Saturday with a 3-0 defeat to Brighton. They have now failed to win in their last six matches. Ciaran Clark played the full ninety minutes while Jeff Hendrick was introduced from the bench at half-time.

English FA Cup

Ireland U-21 international Gavin Kilkenny featured for the final few minutes in Bournemouth’s defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup.

In the other cup game, Seamus Coleman returned to Everton’s starting eleven against Manchester City. The game finished 2-0 to the Manchester side.

English Championship

In the Championship, Conor Hourihane’s afternoon lasted just 18 minutes before he was substituted with an injury that unfortunately rules him out of Ireland’s international fixtures.

At Bristol City, Callum O’Dowda made it through the whole game but was subsequently also ruled out of the internationals with injury following his recent return to action.

Elsewhere, there were minutes on the pitch for Jason Knight, Cyrus Christie, Darragh Lenihan, Ryan Manning, James Collins (who was named as a goalscorer for Luton Town before it was converted to an own-goal) and Daryl Horgan as we head into the international break.

English League One

The lack of goals in the Championship was compensated for in the lower leagues with seven different players on the scoresheet in the weekend games.

Firstly to Burton Albion where Warren O’Hora scored his second goal of the season for MK Dons in a 2-1 win over the home side. The defender redirected Ethan Laird’s header into the back of the net to seal the win for the Dons.

Danny Crowley took charge of his first game and got off to a winning start with Portsmouth thanks to a Marcus Harness winner in the 72nd minute against Ipswich Town. Harness was assisted by Ronan Curtis after a well-worked move from Pompey.

Jimmy Keohane was also on the scoresheet for Rochdale, scoring the decisive equalizer in stoppage time against Peterborough United to make it 3-3.

Gavin Bazunu played his part in the draw, pulling off some key saves to keep out second placed Peterborough and ensure a huge point for Rochdale at the bottom of the table.

English League Two

There is only one place to start in League Two and that’s the ‘six-pointer’ between Cambridge United and Forest Green Rovers at the top of the table. A bit of magic from Wes Hoolahan in the first-half proved enough for Cambridge in this tie as they held onto the lead, winning 1-0. The win means they remain in second place, one point off Cheltenham Town who are top. Hoolahan twisted and turned before leaving two men in the dust and finding the bottom corner.

Cambridge’s rivals Cheltenham continue to occupy top spot after they beat Salford City 2-0. Irish defender Sean Long opened the scoring after just three minutes when he headed home a long throw that was launched into the box.

Bolton Wanderers’ terrific form continues and they are now 12 games without defeat after a 2-1 win at home to Walsall. Eoin Doyle netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 80th minute bringing his goal tally up to 15 for the season.

There was also a winning goal for Conor Wilkinson at Leyton Orient. The forward scored his 11th of the campaign in the victory over Newport County.

The final bit of action from the fourth tier came in Mansfield Town’s 2-2 draw with Grimsby Town. Stephen McLaughlin set up George Maris for Mansfield’s first goal of the game.

Scottish Premiership

In the Scottish Premiership, Jamie McGrath’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by a late Hamilton equaliser to make it 1-1. St Mirren have now dropped to seventh in the league on goal difference following St Johnstone’s win over Ross County.

Alan Power assisted Kyle Lafferty for the first of four goals in Kilmarnock’s win over Motherwell.

Scottish League Two

Luca Connell got off to a flying start at new club Queens Park in a 3-0 victory on Saturday. The Ireland U-21 midfielder grabbed himself an assist and the man of the match award in his debut following his loan move from Celtic.

March 21st

English FA Cup

Enda Stevens played in back three as apposed to his usual left-wing back role as Sheffield United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea. David McGoldrick also started up front for the Blades.

Belgian Pro League

Josh Cullen will be fresh for international duty following his cameo appearance in Anderlecht’s win over the weekend. The Irish midfielder was introduced from the bench in the 70th minute and then sent-off 16 minutes later after he picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

March 23rd

English League Two

Two goals in two games for Conor Wilkinson who scored a late winner for Leyton Orient against Carlisle United. Orient keeper Lawrence Vigouroux found Wilkinson with a rocket of a kick-out but the 26-year-old still had plenty to do, lobbing it over the Carlisle keeper from just outside the area.