Following his Saturday afternoon visit to watch Seamus Coleman and Shane Duffy at the Amex Stadium, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was expected to just journey a few miles West on Sunday afternoon and take in the Premier League contest between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium. Shane Long was introduced from the bench on sixty eight minutes but, despite his usual optimum effort, could do little to change the outcome as his side went down to a three one defeat. The ‘Saints’ were without Michael Obafemi, who picked up an injury in training last week. Relegation threatened Burnley defeated visitors West Ham United by two goals to nil at Turf Moor where Terry Connor was expected to be in attendance. With Robbie Brady still absent through injury and both Jeff Hendrick and Kevin Long confined to the substitute bench, there was just current hot topic Declan Rice in the visitors midfield to be the recipients of his attention. Young visiting midfielder Conor Coventry was another confined to the bench for the duration.