Championship
The Championship resumed at Pride Park on Friday evening when Derby County, with captain Richard Keogh and unused substitute Jason Knight in their ranks, played out a one all draw with visitors Cardiff City.
On Saturday afternoon, Ewood Park witnessed quite an Irish collection when hosts Blackburn Rovers, with Greg Cunningham, Daragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven, defeated visitors Millwall by two goals to nil. The ‘Lions’ included Alex Pearce and loanee Jayson Molumby, our U21 captain, in their starting eleven while Aiden O’Brien and Shaun Williams were unused substitutes. Josh Cullen, ‘man of the match’ on his senior international debut last Tuesday night, was in his usual midfield position for loan club Charlton Athletic who went down to an unexpected one nil home defeat by Birmingham City and the much touted Dan Crowley at The Valley. Darren Randolph and Middlesbrough secured a one nil victory over visitors Reading. Alan Browne and Sean Maguire both started for Preston North End as did Joe Rafferty in their two nil victory over visitors Brentford with Maguire opening the scoring after four minutes. Ryan Manning retained his new left wing back position for QPR who defeated Luton Town by three goals to two at Loftus Road. Midweek international debutant and goalscorer James Collins scored one of the ‘Hatters’ goals. Under 21 defender and another midweek goalscorer Conor Masterson is still seeking a breakthrough for QPR. James McClean started for Stoke City and loanee Scott Hogan was a late substitute as they went down to a two one defeat by visitors Bristol City for whom Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute.
League One
Midweek international debutant goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was in action for loan club Burton Albion who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Coventry City while Alan Judge started for Ipswich Town in another scoreless draw with visitors Doncaster Rovers.