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
Ciaran Clark (Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa) The defender, who failed to make the Ireland squad for their upcoming trip to Kazakhstan, was on the scoresheet on Sunday. There was bad news for ex-Irish international Shay Given however, as he was forced to be content with a place on the bench, with Paul Lambert selecting Brad Guzan to start ahead of him. In contrast, another ex-Ireland international, Stephen Ireland, completed the full 90 minutes for Villa.
Joey O’Brien (West Ham 3-0 Fulham) The ex-Bolton player gave a solid performance, as his side comprehensively beat their London rivals. Fulham’s Damien Duff could do little to prevent the onslaught, while Stephen Kelly will have been disappointed to have only been named on the bench, after starting the majority of his side’s matches last season.
Shane Long (West Brom 2-0 Everton) The Tipperary man scored his team’s first goal, to help them earn a surprise win over Everton. There was less encouraging news for Steven Reid however, as he was forced to depart the action on 52 minutes, with an injury. Similarly for Everton, Darron Gibson, who has been hitting the headlines recently, went off with an injury 20 minutes into the game.
Jon Walters (Wigan 2-2 Stoke) There was plenty of Irish interest in this game, with Walters scoring a penalty five minutes before half-time. Walters’ international colleagues, Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson, also completed the 90 minutes. For Wigan, James McCarthy helped win his side a fifth-minute penalty, when his powerful strike struck Robert Huth’s arm.
Anthony Pilkington (Tottenham 1-1 Norwich) Pilkington played the full 90 minutes, as Norwich produced an impressive display to frustrate Spurs. Wes Hoolahan, meanwhile, was an unused sub.
James McClean (Swansea 2-2 Sunderland) James McClean and John O’Shea’s presence was not enough for Sunderland to overcome Swansea. There was also a chance to impress for David Meyler, who has been called into Trapattoni’s squad to replace Darron Gibson, as he came on for Lee Cattermole on 38 minutes.
Championship
Andy Keogh (Millwall 3-1 Middlesbrough) The striker scored twice to help Millwall secure their first home win of the season, consequently enabling them to rise up to 10th in the table.
Stephen Quinn (Hull 3-1 Bolton) Fresh from signing on Transfer Deadline Day, Stephen Quinn notched a debut goal for Hull, as they beat Bolton 3-1. Quinn’s corner also set up Abdoulaye Faye for Hull’s second goal. In addition, Keith Andrews started for Bolton, but was taken off after 53 minutes, while Paul McShane was a last-minute substitute for Hull.
League One
Darren Potter (MK Dons 2-0 Carlisle) The midfielder played the full 90 minutes for MK Dons, for whom Jay O’Shea also made a late substitute appearance. Ex-Villa man Stephen O’Halloran also made a substitute appearance for Carlisle.
League Two
Padraig Amond (Cheltenham 0-3 Accrington) Two ex-League of Ireland players were on the scoresheet – Padraig Amond and Romuald Boco - as Accrington Stanley swept aside Cheltenham 3-0. Another former LOI man, Karl Sheppard, made a substitute appearance in the 82nd minute for the visitors.
Scottish Premier League
Alan Maybury (Celtic 2-2 Hibs) Recent signing Alan Maybury was in action for Hibs, as they secured an unlikely 2-2 draw with Celtic.
Jim Goodwin (Aberdeen 0-0 St Mirren) Jim Goodwin played the full 90 minutes for St Mirren, who were fortunate to retain their unbeaten run, as they drew 0-0 with Aberdeen on Saturday.
MLS
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps) Robbie Keane drew the free-kick from which David Beckham scored, as the Galaxy ran out 2-0 winners against their Canadian opponents, securing their second win on the trot in the process. Vancouver were without Andy O’Brien for the game, after he failed to recover from injury in time to play.
Darren O’Dea (Sporting KC 2-1 Toronto) Despite captaining the side, Darren O’Dea could not prevent Toronto going down 2-1 against Sporting Kansas City.
