EVERY MONDAY, WE scan the passports, check the family trees and cross-reference with the “granny rule” to keep you informed about the ups and downs of all the Irish (and Irish-eligible) footballers in England and Scotland. Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…
Premier League
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City 1-1 Wigan Athletic) Hoolahan got the opening goal at Carrow Road yesterday, but it was only enough to earn Norwich a 1-1 draw against Wigan. Hoolahan took advantage of some slack defending to loop a volley over Ali Al-Habsi in the ninth minute. The goal is the Dubliner’s third in the league this season.
League Championship
Sean Murray (Derby County 1-2 Watford) U19 international Sean Murray continued to make his mark on the Watford first-team with his third league goal in his last four starts. Murray set the Hornets on the road when he finished off a cross from on-loan winger Alex Kacaniklic in the eighth minute.
Robbie Brady (Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town) Brady got his first league goal in almost two months in Hull’s 2-2 draw at home to Ipswich on Saturday. Nick Barmby’s men took the lead on 17 minutes when Brady’s shot took a deflection and wrongfooted Ipswich keeper Alex McCarthy.
Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest 3-1 Millwall) Get him on the plane, Trap! Everybody’s favourite guitar-strumming midfielder was at the heart of Forest’s win on Saturday, creating the first two goals before making sure of all three points with a 25-yard strike into the top corner.
League One
Alan Judge (Charlton Athletic 2-4 Notts County) Andy Reid wasn’t the only Irishman scoring from 25 yards on Saturday. Notts County’s Alan Judge had a scorcher of his own when he opened the scoring after 16 minutes at the Valley.
Scottish Cup
Roy O’Donovan (Ayr United 0-2 Hibernian) Pat Fenlon’s Hibernians may be struggling in the league, but Edinburgh side are into the final four of the Scottish Cup, thanks in no small part to a Corkman. Roy O’Donovan, formerly of Cork City and on loan at Hibs from Coventry, headed the visitors into the lead on Saturday after just six minutes.
Anthony Stokes (Dundee United 0-4 Celtic) Anthony Stokes scores goals. The former Shelbourne youth took his tally to 20 for the season when he ran on to Joe Ledley’s pass to score four minutes from time.