There was significant Irish involvement in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening.
Cardiff City loanee Greg Cunningham made his competitive debut for Blackburn Rovers while Derrick Williams was an unused substitute as they defeated visitors Oldham Athletic by three goals to two. Anthony O’Connor and Eoin Doyle started for Bradford City who suffered a crushing four nil home defeat by Preston North End for whom Alan Browne and Joe Rafferty started while Sean Maguire was an unused substitute. Manchester United loanee Kieran O’Hara was in goal for Burton Albion who secured a two one victory at Port Vale. Fellow goalkeeper Joe Murphy made his competitive debut for Shrewsbury Town at home to Rotherham United who crushed his side by four goals to nil with another custodian Max O’Leary, on loan from Bristol City, happily having reverted to the bench. Jason Knight started for Derby County with Richard Keogh on the bench for their one nil victory at Scunthorpe United. Eighteen year old central defender Nathan Collins captained and scored the only goal for Stoke City at Wigan Athletic. James McClean also started for Stoke with Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan an 80th minute substitute while Stephen Ward remained on the substitute bench. Mick McCarthy was at Kenilworth Road where Alan Judge started for visitors Ipswich Town but James Collins was rested by hosts Luton Town who won by three goals to one with Judge withdrawn on 77 minutes. Ryan Manning started for QPR at home to Bristol City and scored a late equalising penalty to send the contest into a penalty shoot-out situation where Manning again converted the first spot kick as the ‘R’s’ ran out 5-4 winners. Conor Masterson was unused on the bench for the hosts while Callum O’Dowda was a 63rd minute substitute and penalty shoot-out scorer for the visitors. Dara O’Shea started in defence for West Bromwich Albion who went down to a two one home defeat by visitors Millwall for whom Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby made his competitive debut alongside Aiden O’Brien, who scored the winner, with Shaun Williams replacing Molumby after 63 minutes.