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Friday
The Championship clash of West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town at The Hawthorns saw a dramatic climax with the hosts recovering from a two goal deficit to secure a two all draw. Callum Robinson completed the full ninety minutes for the ‘Baggies’ while Dara O’Shea and loanee Jayson Molumby were unused substitutes.

Thursday
Shane Long won his fitness battle and together with Will Smallbone was named on the substitute bench  for Southampton who suffered a two one defeat by Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday evening. Long was introduced to in the 79th minute but to little avail. 

West Ham United included Darren Randolph on their substitute bench as they went down to a one nil defeat by Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League round of sixteen contest in Spain this afternoon.

Wednesday
The second  semi-final in the EFL Trophy saw League Two Hartlepool United play host to a much changed Rotherham United who included Chiedoze Ogbene  on their substitute bench. The hosts twice led but ‘The Millers’ equalised on both occasions with 61st minute substitute Ogbene providing the second assist two minutes after his arrival on the pitch. The contest went to a penalty shoot-out where the League One leaders prevailed on a five four scoreline. 

The Irish contingent of Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne,  Alan Power  and loanee Connor Ronan  started with Conor McCarthy on the bench for St Mirren who scored the only goal through a Ronan header in the third minute of added time to defeat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership this Wednesday evening.

Tuesday
Caoimhin Kelleher was on substitute duty for Liverpool who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Inter Milan in the Champions League round of 16 second leg on Tuesday evening. The ‘Reds’ held a two nil goal advantage from the away first leg and progress to the last 8 in a two one aggregate scoreline.

The Championship marathon continued this evening with Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan welcoming Millwall and Danny McNamara to Ewood Park where James Browne was unused on the host bench as the sides played out a scoreless draw. AFC Bournemouth and Mark Travers played out a one all draw with Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor started after a lengthy injury absence. He was replaced by Sam Szmodics on 60 minutes. Sheffield United named John Egan in their starting eleven with loanee Conor Hourihane a 39th minute substitute for their four one defeat of  visitors Middlesbrough and their loanee Aaron Connolly. Swansea City went down to a five one defeat by leaders Fulham at the Liberty Stadium. The ‘Swans’ started brightly and had the better of the opening 40 minutes but the dismissal of Ryan Manning on 42 minutes signalled a change in fortune and they were overrun in the second half. Michael Obafemi started but was withdrawn on the hour mark while loanee Cyrus Christie was unable to play against his parent club.

Crewe Alexandra went down to a three one defeat by visitors Portsmouth in League One. Loanee Gavin Bazunu started alongside Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett  while another loanee Aiden O’Brien was a 71st minute substitute but Marcus Harness was suspended. Ipswich Town defeated Lincoln City by two goals to nil at Portman Road where Anthony Scully was a 69th minute substitute for the visitors. MK Dons named Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott  in their starting eleven with Parrott scoring twice in their three one victory over visitors Cheltenham Town. Dennis Cirkin was in action for Sunderland who secured  a three one success over visitors Fleetwood Town at the Stadium of Light. 

Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien started  for Swindon Town but was withdrawn on 70 minutes as his side went down to a three one League Two defeat  at Exeter City.

Wigan Athletic included  James McClean and Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven for their EFL Trophy semi-final engagement with League Two Sutton United while Will Keane was introduced  from the bench on 65 minutes as the sides played out a one all draw with McClean scoring an impressive goal. Wigan then suffered a 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat with all three Irish internationals converting their spot kicks.

Monday
Matt Doherty and Seamus Coleman were in Premier League opposition on Monday evening when Tottenham Hotspur played host to Everton. The hosts tormented their visitors with Doherty providing the assist for two of their goals in a five nil victory. 

 

Sunday
Livingston went down to a three one home defeat by Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish Premiership at noon on Sunday.  James McCarthy was an unused substitute for the victors. 

The Belgian First Division saw RSC Anderlecht and Josh Cullen secure a three nil  victory over visitors KV Oostende on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday
Shane Long was ruled out through injury while Will Smallbone was an unused substitute for Southampton who crashed to a four nil defeat at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Burnley included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven with Kevin Long on their bench as they too suffered  a four nil defeat by visitors Chelsea at Turf Moor. Newcastle United defeated Brighton & Hove Albion by two goals to one at St James Park where Shane Duffy started while Evan Ferguson was in used substitute. 

Daniel Cleary started and John Mahon was an 85th minute substitute for St Johnstone who played out a scoreless draw against Hibernian and Jake Doyle-Hayes in the Scottish Premiership at Easter Road on Saturday afternoon. Motherwell and Dundee played out a one all draw with Ross Tierney a 76th minute substitute for the hosts. It has not been the best of starts for new Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin and his team including Jonny Hayes went down to a one nil defeat by Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox Park. Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne, Conor McCarthy and Alan Power were in the St Mirren starting eleven for their one nil defeat at Ross County.

There was a 12.30pm kick-off for the Championship clash of leaders Fulham and third place Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage which the hosts won comfortably by two goals to nil . The visitors included Darragh Lenihan in their starting eleven. Troubled Derby County earned a crucial two nil victory over fellow strugglers Barnsley at Pride Park with Festy Ebosele and Eiran Cashin in their starting eleven while Jason Knight was a 79th minute substitute.  Sean McLoughlin was in the Hull City starting eleven for the visit of West Bromwich Albion who gained  the points with a two nil success. Callum Robinson started for the ‘Baggies’ while loanee Jayson Molumby was a very late substitute and  Dara O’Shea was unused on the bench. Middlesbrough included loanee Aaron Connolly in their side for their two one defeat of  visitors Luton Town and Peter Kioso who was on the ‘Hatters’ bench. Preston North End included captain Alan Browne in their side for their two one defeat of  visitors AFC Bournemouth and Mark Travers. QPR included Jimmy Dunne and loanee Jeff Hendrick in their side as they suffered  a surprise two one defeat by visitors  Cardiff City for whom Mark McGuinness started with Joel Bagan a 56th minute substitute. Reading went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Millwall who included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven. Swansea City trio, Ryan Manning, Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie all started their three one victory over visitors Coventry City with Obafemi scoring two of the goals.

Sunderland included Dennis Cirkin in their side for their scoreless League One draw at Charlton Athletic. Loanee Ademipo Odubeko was in the Doncaster Rovers side which went down to a four nil defeat at Cheltenham Town. Daryl Horgan was also on the road as his Wycombe Wanderers secured a three one success at Crewe Alexandra. Anthony Scully was unused on the Lincoln City bench for their three one victory over Sheffield Wednesday. Oxford United duo Mark Sykes and Luke McNally completed the full match in their four one defeat of visitors Burton Albion. The Portsmouth contingent of loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett started against Accrington Stanley at Fratton Park where Harness was dismissed on 21 minutes while Raggett scored on 28 minutes in their four nil victory.  Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven with  Joshua Kayode a 75th minute substitute for the visit of  MK Dons who named Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott in their starting eleven. Rotherham took the lead from the penalty spot following a foul on Chiedoze for which the defender was dismissed. MK Dons however responded  and scored  twice for victory. Second place Wigan Athletic included Will Keane in their starting eleven with Jamie McGrath on their substitute bench  for their one nil defeat of  visitors AFC Wimbledon but James McClean missed out through suspension. 

Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien was in the Swindon Town side which gained a two one victory at Bradford City in League Two. Also on the road was Lee O’Connor whose Tranmere Rovers went down to a three two defeat at Northampton Town.

 

Match Series Four in the Airtricity League Premier Division commenced on Friday evening with last season’s top two St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers locking horns in Richmond Park where the hosts prevailed with the only goal early in the second half. Drogheda United defeated visitors UCD by four goals to two at Head in the Game Park while Shelbourne went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Derry City in Tolka Park. Bohemian made the journey North where they played out a one all draw with their hosts Finn Harps.

The remaining contest saw Sligo Rovers commence their home campaign with a scoreless draw against Dundalk in the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

There were three Match Series Three contests completed in the Airtricity League First Division with Cobh Ramblers and Treaty United playing out a scoreless draw in St Colman’s Park while Galway United and Waterford shared four goals in Eamonn Deacy Park. Wexford defeated their visitors Athlone Town by two goals to one in Ferrycarrig Park.

The meeting of Longford Town and Cork City ended scoreless in Bishopsgate on Saturday evening.

 

 

Friday
There was Championship action on Friday evening with Peterborough United and Sam Szmodics going down to a three nil defeat at promotion chasing Huddersfield Town. Bramall Lane hosted a fast and furious contest between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest which ended in a one all draw.  John Egan started and loanee Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for the ‘Blades’.

Thursday
Fixture seven in the FA Cup fifth round saw Everton overcome a resilient non-league Boreham Wood by two goals to nil at Goodison Park on Thursday evening. Seamus Coleman was introduced from the substitute bench on sixty minutes. 

Wednesday
The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic defeat visitors  St Mirren by two goals to nil with  James McCarthy an unused substitute for the victors. Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne, Alan Power and Colm McCarthy all started for the visitors but loanee Connor Ronan was suspended. New manager Jim Goodwin saw his Aberdeen side, which included Jonny Hayes, go down to a two nil defeat by Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle where Aaron McEneff  was unused on the substitute bench. Motherwell included Jake Carroll in their side while Ross Tierney was an unused substitute as they suffered a one nil home defeat by Ross County. Daniel Cleary and John Mahon were unused substitutes for St Johnstone who lost to the only goal scored  by visitors  Glasgow Rangers after just three minutes..

The FA Cup fifth round continued with Luton Town and Peter Kioso going down to a three two defeat by visitors Chelsea at Kenilworth Road. Southampton defeated West Ham United by three goals to one at St Mary’s Stadium. Both Shane Long and Will Smallbone started for the ‘Saints’ with Smallbone catching the eye while injury forced the withdrawal of Long at half-time. Armstrong Oko-Flex and Darren Randolph were unused  substitutes for the ‘Hammers’. Caoimhin Kelleher as expected returned to bench duty for Liverpool who defeated Norwich City by two goals to one at Anfield.

Tuesday
The Premier League saw Burnley go down to a two nil defeat by Leicester City at Turf Moor where Nathan Collins was a 40th minute substitute for the ‘Clarets’ with Kevin Long an unused substitute.

Unusually, the FA Cup fifth round ties are being played in midweek this year with Peterborough United and Sam Szmodics exiting the competition with a two nil home defeat by Manchester City. Young Tayo Adaramola started for Crystal Palace who defeated visitors Stoke City and Jack Bonham by two goals to one in Selhurst Park. Middlesbrough scored  the only goal in extra-time to defeat  Tottenham Hotspur and Matt Doherty at the Riverside Stadoum.

Cardiff City defeated Derby County in the Championship with the only goal coming five minutes from the end. Mark McGuinness, and Joel Bagan started for the hosts while Jason Knight, Festy Ebosele and Eiran Cashin started for the visiting ‘Rams’.

There was significant Irish involvement in the League One meeting of Portsmouth and Oxford United at Fratton Park. The hosts included loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Sean Raggett and Marcus Harness  in their sides while the visitors include Luke McNally who started and the veteran Anthony Forde on the bench.  ‘Pompey’ prevailed by three goals to two with Raggett scoring their opener while McNally scored late on for the ‘Students’. Current leaders Rotherham United were held to a scoreless draw at Shrewsbury Town where Chiedoze Ogbene was a half-time substitute while Joshua Kayode remained on their substitute bench. Second place Wigan Athletic included Will Keane and James McClean in their side for their two nil victory over visitors Fleetwood Town with the goals scored by the Irish duo. McClean was red carded in added time.  Daryl Horgan, who has struggled for game time with Wycombe Wanderers, started this evening against Cambridge United and set up the opening goal in their three nil victory. .

Monday
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny was expected to be an interested  spectator at the Hawthorns this evening when Championship sides West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City went head to head. The hosts included Dara O’Shea, Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Ryan Manning, Michael Obafemi and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie starting for the visitors. The ‘Swans’ proved the better side on the night scoring two late goals for a well deserved victory. Manning was again prominent with Obafemi  beginning to find his feet while Christie has impressed during his loan spell and capped  his performance with the second goal. O’Shea was withdrawn at half-time and Molumby on 77 minutes while Robinson twice hit the post. 

The third series of Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures took place on Monday evening. Defending champions Shamrock Rovers defeated Drogheda United by three goals to one in Tallaght Stadium while Bohemian scored  the only goal to defeat St Patrick’s Athletic in Dalymount Park. Derry City played out a scoreless draw with Sligo Rovers in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium while Dundalk defeated visitors Finn Harps by three goals to nil in Oriel Park. The remaining contest saw promoted sides UCD and Shelbourne play out a scoreless draw in The Bowl. 

Sunday
There was one Premier League contest played on Sunday afternoon with West Ham United defeating visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers with the only goal at the London Stadium. Armstrong Oko-Flex was included on the ‘Hammers’ substitute bench.

Current Scottish Premiership leaders Glasgow Celtic were held to a scoreless draw by Hibernian in the early kick-off at Easter Road. Jake Doyle-Hayes was in midfield action for the hosts with James McCarthy unused on the visitors substitute bench. Later in the afternoon, Glasgow Rangers missed the opportunity to close the gap at the top when they were held to a two all draw by Motherwell at Ibrox Park. The visitors, who trailed  by two goals at half-time, included  Jake Carroll and Ross Tierney in their starting eleven. 

The English Football League Cup Final took place at Wembley Stadium between Chelsea and Liverpool with Caoimhin Kelleher starting for the ‘Reds’.  A match of high quality and intensity finished  scoreless after extra-time and went to a penalty shoot-out. All twenty outfield players converted their spot kicks and it came down to a duel between the goalkeepers. Kelleher converted his kick while his opposite number failed from the spot enabling Liverpool to lift the trophy for the ninth time.     

Saturday
Two hugely unpredictable sides, Leeds United  and Tottenham Hotspur, were in Premier League action at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon in Elland Road where Matt Doherty started for the visitors and scored  the opening goal in their four nil victory. Shane Duffy and Evan Ferguson were unused substitutes for Brighton & Hove Albion who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Aston Villa. Crystal Palace played out a one all draw with visitors Burnley for whom Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes. Troubled Everton included Seamus Coleman in their side for their challenging engagement with defending champions Manchester City in the late kick-off at Goodison Park. The visitors scored  very late on for a one nil victory while there was much contention and debate surrounding a clear handball in the dying seconds which was not given and denied the ‘Toffees’ an opportunity to equalise.

New Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin saw his home introduction end in a one all draw with visitors Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership‘. Ross County defeated visitors St Johnstone by three goals to one. Dan Cleary started and John Mahon was an unused substitute for the ‘Saints’. St Mirren saw Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan dismissed  after just 22 minutes of their two nil defeat by visitors Heart of Midlothian for whom Aaron McEneff was an unused substitute while Joe Shaughnessy, Alan Power and Charles Dunne started with Connor McCarthy an unused substitute for the hosts. 

Championship promotion chasers Blackburn Rovers and QPR locked horns in Ewood Park at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon where the hosts were captained by Darragh Lenihan while Jimmy Dunne and Newcastle United loanee Jeff Hendrick started for the visitors who went down to a late goal. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly was a half-time substitute for Middlesbrough who suffered  a surprise three two defeat at Barnsley.  Mark Travers and AFC Bournemouth came from behind to defeat visitors Stoke City while Cardiff City included Mark McGuinness and James Collins in their starting eleven with Joel Bagan a 67th minute substitute as they lost to the only goal from visitors Fulham. Captain Alan Browne led Preston North End who earned  a one all draw at  Coventry City. Peter Kioso was an unused substitute for Luton Town who defeated Derby County with the only goal at Kenilworth Road. Jason Knight and Eiran Cashin started  for the ‘Rams’ with Festy Ebosele a 66th minute substitute. Millwall and Danny McNamara defeated Sheffield United and their duo John Egan and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane with the only goal at the New Den. Peterborough United included Sam Szmodics in their side for the visit of Hull City and Sean McLoughlin which the ‘Tigers’ won by three goals to nil.

In League One, Accrington Stanley defeated visitors Wycombe Wanderers by three goals to two with Daryl Horgan unused on the losing bench West Ham United loanee Ademipo Odubeko was a half time substitute for Doncaster Rovers who came from behind to earn a two all draw at AFC Wimbledon. Anthony Scully and Lincoln City went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Gillingham. Promotion chasing MK Dons included Warren O’Hora together with loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott in their side for their two nil victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers and 72nd minute substitute Kieran Sadlier. Oxford United included Mark Sykes and Luke McNally in their side for the visit of Cambridge United and the veteran Wes Hoolihan.  The hosts emerged  victorious by four goals to two. Leaders Rotherham United named Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven with Joshua Kayode an unused  substitute  for their one nil success at Plymouth Argyle. Portsmouth included Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and  Sean Raggett in their starting eleven for the visit of Fleetwood Town who secured  a three goal lead in the first half. ‘Pompey’ responded and a penalty converted  by Curtis was followed by a Harness goal and in the fifth minute of added time, Sunderland loanee Aiden O’Brien, a 69th minute substitute scored  the equaliser. Second place Wigan Athletic included Will Keane and James McClean in their starting eleven for the visit of Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin. The visiting ‘Makems’ stunned  their hosts with a three nil victory.

In League Two, Newport County defeated their visitors Tranmere Rovers and Lee O’Connor by four goals to two while Swindon Town and Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien went down to a two one defeat by Salford City at the County Ground. 

There was Belgian First Division action this evening with Josh Cullen and RSC Anderlecht travelling to face Oud-Heverlee Leuven where the sides played out a scoreless draw in a fractious encounter.

 

Week Two in the Irish domestic season saw all ten Premier Division sides in action on Friday evening following the disruption surrounding week one. Defending champions Shamrock Rovers travelled to face Derry City in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium where they conceded in the last minute to suffer a two one defeat. St Patrick’s Athletic played host to Sligo Rovers in Richmond Park where the visitors secured  a two one victory. Bohemian and Dundalk played out a two all draw  in Dalymount Park while Damian Duff and Shelbourne secured  a two nil victory at Drogheda United. Promoted UCD and visitors Finn Harps played out a scoreless draw at the Bowl.

Following last week’s high scoring opening to the First Division season, there were three contests played on Friday evening. Cobh Ramblers went down to a three two defeat by visitors Wexford in St Colman’s Park while Cork City suffered a one nil defeat by visitors Galway United in Turner’s Cross. Waterford scored  the only goal to defeat visitors Bray Wanderers in the RSC.