December 17th

English Championship

Both Callum Robinson and Jayson Molumby featured in West Brom’s goalless draw with Barnsley on Friday night. The Baggies have drawn four of their last seven league games, with three of those draws ending 0-0. This result takes them down to fourth in the league.

December 18th

English Premier League

With COVID-19 running rampant in the Premier League, the only game to take place on Saturday was between Leeds United and Arsenal with no Irish players in action.

English Championship

A similar trend followed in the lower leagues with several games postponed across the three divisions. Blackburn Rovers weren’t fazed however as they eased to a 4-0 victory over Birmingham City. Rovers’ captain Darragh Lenihan set up the second goal of the game with a brilliant defence-splitting pass. Blackburn have now won five consecutive games and move up to third in the league.

Hull City centre-half Sean McLoughlin assisted their only goal of the game in a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Bournemouth trio Mark Travers, Gavin Kilkenny and Robbie Brady all played a part in a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough. Scott Parker’s side have now failed to win in six league games but still remain in second place on the back off their strong start to the season.

Elsewhere there was another start for Jack Taylor in Peterborough United’s away defeat at Blackpool.

English League One

Will Keane and James McClean made up for a quiet weekend on the Irish front. The Wigan Athletic pair both were amongst the goals as they beat Oxford United 3-2. Keane opened the scoring for the Latics with a well-taken header to take his tally up to ten for the campaign. Anthony Forde set up Oxford’s equalizing goal to make it 2-2, however it was McClean who scored the decisive winner in the 86th minute with an inch perfect low drive that nestled into the bottom corner. The three points keep Wigan in second place, two points behind Rotherham United with a game in hand.

English League Two

Only four fixtures were played on Saturday in League Two. Rochdale beat Newport County by three goals to nil with Irish midfielder Liam Kelly netting the third and final goal. Kelly wasn’t the only Irishman involved. Conor Grant assisted the opening goal while Corey O’Keeffe’s hard work paid off for the second as he was taken down in the box after winning the ball back deep inside the Newport half. A good day all round for the Irish contingent at the Dale.

Scottish Championship

Queen of the South were 3-0 victors in their tie with Ayr United and Irish striker Ruairi Paton got in on the action, setting up the final goal in the win.

December 19th

English Premier League

Ciaran Clark’s error after five minutes led to Man City’s first goal of a game which finished 4-0 to the away side. Jeff Hendrick was a late substitute in the loss, making his first appearance for the club since the beginning of October when he scored against Wolves. Newcastle have taken just five points from a possible 21 since Eddie Howe took over.

Scottish League Cup

Celtic came from behind to beat Hibernian 2-1 in the Scottish League Cup final in in Hamden Park on Sunday afternoon. Jake Doyle-Hayes started for Hibernian while Liam Scales was a late substitute in the win.

Belgian Pro League

Anderlecht were five minutes away from beating second placed Club Brugge on Sunday only to concede a late equalizer. Josh Cullen pocketed another 90 minutes, bringing his tally up to 20 starts for the season. One of the first names on the team sheet every week.

EFL Cup

Caoimhรญn Kelleher was the hero of the night as Liverpool fought their way back from 3-1 down to take their quarter-final tie with Leicester City to a penalty shootout. Thatโ€™s where Kelleher stole the show again as he made two terrific saves before Jota scored the winner which booked them a spot in the semi-finals of the competition. Games are hard to come by for the Corkman at Anfield but he wonโ€™t mind too much if every game he plays finishes in the same manner as Wednesdayโ€™s game.


There was also a rare start for Matt Doherty in Spursโ€™ 2-1 win over West Ham. The full-back may be looking for a new club once the January window opens next week.

Scottish Premiership

Liam Scales made his third appearance in the league for Celtic on Wednesday in a 0-0 draw with St Mirren. An impressive result from Mirren who were missing Jamie McGrath along with a long list of other absentees.


December 23rd

Belgian Cup

Anderlecht progressed into the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup after they comfortably beat Kortrijk by three goals to nil. Josh Cullen played another full ninety minutes.