Sunday
There was further Irish activity in three different Leagues on Sunday afternoon. The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic continue their improved form with a six nil thrashing of visitors Dundee who included Cillian Sheridan and Ryan Sweeney in their starting eleven with goalkeeper Ian Lawlor unused on the substitute bench. Hibernian included Jake Doyle-Hayes in their starting eleven foe the three nil success against visitors Ross County.
Josh Cullen was again in midfield action for RSC Anderlecht who secured a three nil home victory over RFC Seraing in the Belgian First Division.
Zack Elbouzedi started for AIK Solna who scored a four one success at Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Allsvenskan.
Saturday
The English Championship season continued on Saturday afternoon with Blackburn Rovers, captained by Darragh Lenihan, defeating visitors Swansea City by two goals to one in Ewood Park. Bristol City lost Callum O’Dowda through injury after just thirteen minutes of their one all draw with promoted visitors Blackpool who included the veteran Richard Keogh in side at Ashton Gate. Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy named summer signings James Collins and Mark McGuinness in his starting eleven for their one all draw with visitors Barnsley, his home town club. Troubled Derby County included Louie Watson in their starting eleven for the visit of Huddersfield Town while Festy Ebosele was a 68th minute substitute as the sides played out a one all draw. Another promoted side Peterborough United included Christy Pym and Sam Szmodics in their starting eleven as they went down to a three nil defeat at Luton Town. The third promoted club Hull City defeated their hosts Preston North End by four goals to one at Deepdale where Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started for the vanquished ‘Lilywhites’. Loftus Road hosted the ‘London Derby’ meeting of QPR and Millwall which ended in a one all draw. Danny McNamara started for the ‘Lions’ while summer signing Jimmy Dunne was an unused substitute for the hosts.
The late kick-off at Bramall Lane saw Sheffield United go down to a one nil defeat by visitors Birmingham City. John Egan and David McGoldrick were in action with the ‘Blades’ while Scott Hogan started for the victorious ‘Blues’. Injury ruled Enda Stevens out for the ‘Blades’ and also Jason Knight for the ‘Rams’ with both unlikely to be available for the international triple header in September.
The Scottish Premiership continued on Saturday afternoon with Jim Goodwin’s St Mirren going down to a two one defeat by visitors Heart of Midlothian. Jamie McGrath was in action with the hosts while Aaron McEneff was a 76th minute substitute for the victors.
The League One season in England commenced on Saturday afternoon with Bolton Wanderers and Eoin Doyle playing out a three all draw with visitors MK Dons who included loanee Troy Parrott and Warren O’Hora in their starting eleven. Fleetwood Town went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Portsmouth for whom Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness started but loanee goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was an unused substitute. Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven for their one all draw at Gillingham.
Friday
The 2021/22 English Championship season commenced on Friday evening with AFC Bournemouth welcoming West Bromwich Albion to the Vitality Stadium where the sides played out an entertaining two all draw. Following the departure of Asmir Begovic, goalkeeper Mark Travers has the opportunity to secure and consolidate the starting position for the hosts while U21 midfielder Gavin Kilkenny has featured regularly for the ‘Cherries’ in their pre-season friendlies and completed the full 90 minutes in their five nil trashing of MK Dons in the first round of the EFL Cup last weekend. Both started this evening with Travers having some difficult moments with dead ball deliveries from a robust visiting side. Kilkenny, playing the holding midfield role, was quite impressive. The visiting ‘Baggies’ have also impressed in their pre-season build up with both defender Dara O’Shea and striker Callum Robinson featuring prominently. This evening, both put in fine performances, which were embellished by scoring the two Albion goals. O’Shea after 33 minutes to equalise after the hosts had taken an early lead and Robinson with the second equaliser following an early second half goal from AFC Bournemouth.