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James McCarthy. JON SUPER/AP/Press Association Images
Trap Watch

Irish Eye: Rare double for McCarthy

The Wigan midfielder scored for the first time in nearly two years on Saturday while it was another busy weekend for the rest of the Irish abroad.

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, Scotland and further afield.

Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…

Premier League

James McCarthy (Wigan 2-2 QPR)

The Wigan Athletic midfielder scored his first goal since February 2011 on Saturday… then added a second in the same game. McCarthy struck a shot from outside the box which took a slight deflection off Jamie Mackie on the way past Robert Green in the 19th minute, then doubled his tally for the season by finding the net through a crowd of bodies after Jean Beausejour’s delivery.

It’s good to see him making the effort to get into the box and it paid dividends at the DW Stadium.

Darron Gibson (Everton 2-1 Tottenham)

After his man-of-the-match performance against the Premier League champions last week, Darron Gibson was again instrumental for the Toffees. Spurs sat back and allowed the midfielder to pick off passes all day long while he and Irish team-mate Seamus Coleman both had a hand Everton’s late comeback. Coleman first crossed for Steven Pienaar to head home, then the full-back laid off to Gibson, whose ball found its way to Nikica Jelavic via Vellios – and the Croatian poked past Hugo Lloris.

The £250,000 fee David Moyes paid Manchester United for Gibson is looking like more of a bargain with each week that passes.

Championship

Robbie Brady (Watford 1-2 Hull)

Two of Hull’s Irish loanees struck as the Tigers continued their push for promotion at Vicarage Road on Saturday. Midfielder David Meyler followed in Corrie Evans’ long distance effort, which came back out off the crossbar, to head in the rebound before Robbie Brady beat Manuel Almunia with a beautiful free-kick from 25 yards.

Not since Ian Harte have Ireland possessed a player with as much ability from set-pieces.

Watch the goals below:

YouTube credit: WatfordItalia

Conor Sammon (Derby County 2-1 Leeds United)

Conor Sammon’s fifth goal for Derby since arriving from Wigan in the summer was his best yet. The former UCD and Derry City striker showed great feet to turn Lee Peltier and roll the ball into the back of the net. Paul Green scored against his old club from a Luciano Becchio knock-down but the Rams went on to win 3-1.

Owen Garvan (Crystal Palace 2-2 Blackpool)

High-flying Crystal Palace had Owen Garvan to thank for putting them ahead in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool. The midfielder got on the end of a Yannick Bolasie cross to nod in a header.

Daryl Murphy (Ipswich 3-0 Millwall)

Mick McCarthy saw his side record their third win on the trot at home to Millwall. DJ Campbell scored twice and Waterford native Daryl Murphy was also on target for the Tractor Boys.

League One

Stephen Gleeson (Brentford 3-2 MK Dons)

Two goals in as many weeks for the ex-Wolves man.

League Two

Jay O’Shea (Port Vale 0-2 Chesterfield)

Dubliner Jay O’Shea, currently on loan from MK Dons, was on target against his former side on his Chesterfield debut.

John O’Flynn (Rochdale 2-3 Exeter City)

A brace for one-time Cork City favourite John O’Flynn at Spotland.

SPL

Cillian Sheridan (Kilmarnock 1-3 Celtic)

Playing against the club he joined as a schoolboy, Cillian Sheridan couldn’t prevent Killie from going down to SPL champions. His goal on 90 minutes was a mere consolation.

Richie Foran (Inverness CT 3-0 Hibernian)

Richie Foran was one of three scorers as Inverness moved above Pat Fenlon’s Hibs into second in the league.

Around the world

Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow 1-0 Rubin Kazan)

A third league goal of the season for the winger handed Spartak a 1-0 win over Rubin Kazan today, which moves them up joint fourth from ninth in the Russian Premier League.

YouTube credit: nogovitsunyuriy91

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