Irish in Saturday afternoon action…21/09/2019

Premier League
Jeff Hendrick’s goal scoring cameo from the bench last Saturday earned him a starting role for Burnley who defeated Norwich City by two goals to nil at Turf Moor in the Premier League this Saturday afternoon. Robbie Brady was again on the substitute bench, replacing Hendrick for the final two minutes. Kevin Long is now struggling to make the matchday squad and was again omitted today. Seamus Coleman and Everton failed to improve on their disappointing performance at Bournemouth on Sunday last and went down to a two nil defeat by visitors  Sheffield United and their Irish trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and Callum Robinson at Goodison Park this afternoon. Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion played out a scoreless draw in the late kick-off at St James Park. Aaron Connolly was introduced from the visitors substitute bench on seventy minutes and looked quite impressive in his 27 minute appearance. Shane Duffy remained unused on the bench.

Championship
Elland Road hosted the 12.30pm kick-off between Leeds United and Derby County in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. The visiting ‘Rams’, skippered by Richard Keogh, earned a one all draw with  Jason Knight making ma cameo appearance as a late substitute. Daniel Crowley and his Birmingham City colleagues went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Preston North End at St Andrew’s with the goal scored by Sean Maguire after 23 minutes. Alan Browne and Joe Rafferty were vey late substitutes for the ‘Lilywhites’. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City but was withdrawn on 59 minutes of their scoreless draw with visitors Swansea City at Ashton Gate.   Darren Randolph and his Middlesbrough colleagues went down to a one nil defeat at Cardiff City. James Collins led the line for Luton Town who crashed to a three nil home defeat by Hull City while Millwall included Alex Pearce and loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven for their two one defeat by visitors QPR, for whom Ryan Manning started with Conor Masterson unused on the bench.  Reading went down to a two one home defeat by Blackburn Rovers who included loanee Greg Cunningham, Daragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven. Another loanee Josh Cullen, started for Charlton Athletic who went down to a two nil defeat at Wigan Athletic.

League One
Alan Judge started for Ipswich Town who defeated Gillingham by one goal to nil at Priestfield, to maintain their top of the table position. Another loanee, Kieran O’Hara, suffered disappointment with Burton Albion who conceded two added time goals at Tranmere Rovers to lose by two goals to one. Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven as they went down to a one nil defeat at  Wycombe Wanderers.