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
Shane Long (Sunderland 2-4 West Brom)
Ireland’s in-form striker got the Baggies on their way at the Stadium of Light when he capitalised on a mistake by Simon Mignolet to score his sixth goal of the season. John O’Shea couldn’t keep his international team-mate quiet while James McClean was lively for the Black Cats when he came just after half-time.
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal)
Deputising for the injured Richard Dunne once again, the centre-half made some important blocks to earn Villa a clean sheet against the Gunners. Enda Stevens had another solid display at left-back.
Trap Watch (Everton 1-1 Norwich)
The Italian showed up at Goodion Park on Saturday afternoon to run the rule over Norwich pair Wes Hoolahan and Anthony Pilkington for a second time in a month. He had seen enough before the final whistle and left a few minutes early.
Championship
Conor Sammon (Derby 3-2 Birmingham)
Former UCD and Derry City striker Conor Sammon scored twice for the Rams in their 3-2 win over Birmingham at Pride Park. The 26-year-old headed in Michael Jacobs’ rebound, which had come back off the woodwork, on 32 minutes before adding to his tally with ten minutes remaining.
Jeff Hendrick and Mark O’Brien were both late substitutes for the home side.
On a side note, something really needs to be said about Sammon’s ginger-looking Movember effort…
Paul Green (Leeds 2-1 Crystal Palace)
The much-maligned midfielder popped up with a 76th-minute winner for Leeds, who earned three points for the first time since being taken over by Dubai-based group GFH Capital.
Watch the goal below:
YouTube credit: weareleedsmot5
