Top Performer
Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle)
Top of League Two, Plymouth are flying high and Donegal native McHugh is a key reason why. While he has played most of his football in defence, the one-time Dundalk loanee is now catching the eye as a holding midfielder and he has embraced every aspect of the new role – even getting on the scoresheet in the win over Luton Town.
Watch Out For
Liam Kinsella (Walsall)
Son of former Republic of Ireland international Mark, the latest midfield sensation with Kinsella printed on the back of his jersey is just as exciting. He shares his father’s coolness under pressure and he also understands how to cover for team-mates in defensive situations. An un-used substitute for Walsall this weekend, he recently signed a two-year deal with them so a bright future lies in wait.
Irish Manager Monitor
In the Championship, Lee Carsley’s Brentford recorded a 3-0 victory away to Charlton Athletic to extend their winning streak to three games. Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion drew 0-0 with Preston North End, while Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town claimed a point in a 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest.
In League Two, John Sheridan’s positive impact at Newport County continued as his team secured a 4-1 triumph over Bristol Rovers, which followed on from their midweek win over Wycombe Wanderers.
Further Afield
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Jack Byrne started for Cambuur in their 1-1 draw with Ado Den Haag. In Finland, Shane McFaul played for KTP in their 2-1 loss to Ilves. Over in the Indian Super League, Darren O’Dea played the full 90 minutes for Mumbai City as they claimed a 2-0 win over GOA.
In the Scottish Championship, Jon Daly was on target for Raith Rovers but they lost 2-1 at home to Hibernian, while Rob Kiernan helped Rangers to a 1-0 win over St Mirren, who had Jim Goodwin in their side.
Women’s Focus
All of the main Irish girls based abroad are currently in camp with the Republic of Ireland Women’s senior team, who face Portugal in their second UEFA Euro 2017 qualifier on Tuesday, October 27.
Weekend Stats
Premier League
11 appearances– Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy (Everton), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan, Marc Wilson (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland), James McClean (West Brom)
4 un-used substitutes– Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Shay Given, Stephen Ireland (Stoke City), Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
2 yellow cards– Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McClean (West Brom)
Championship
20 appearances– Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Judge, Alan McCormack (Brentford), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh (Derby County), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town), David Meyler (Hull City), Jonathan Douglas, David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons), Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham, Eoin Doyle (Preston North End), Paul McShane (Reading), Paul Green (Rotherham United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Matt Doherty (Wolves)
2 goalscorers– Alan Judge (Brentford), David Meyler (Hull City)
7 un-used substitutes– John O’Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers), Jack Bonham (Brentford), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Joe Murphy (Huddersfield Town), Darren Potter (MK Dons), Aidan White (Rotherham United)
1 yellow card– Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City)
League One
25 appearances– Colin Doyle (Blackpool), Aaron McCarey (Bury), Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Owen Garvan (Colchester United), Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), John Egan, Bradley Garmston, Emmanuel Osadebe (Gillingham), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Mark Yeates (Oldham Athletic), Chris Forrester (Peterborough United), Sam Foley (Port Vale), Donal McDermott (Rochdale), Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United), Conor Sammon (Sheffield United), James Collins, Liam Lawrence (Shrewsbury Town), Cian Bolger, Gary Deegan, Stephen McLaughlin, Dave Mooney, Glen Rea (Southend United), Anton Rodgers (Swindon Town), Anthony Forde (Walsall), Chris McCann (Wigan Athletic)
4 goalscorers– Owen Garvan (Colchester United), Aiden O’Brien [2] (Millwall), Paddy Madden [2] (Scunthorpe United), Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United)
8 un-used substitutes– Conor Wilkinson (Barnsley), Charles Dunne (Blackpool), Anthony O’Connor (Burton Albion), Paul Keegan (Doncaster Rovers), David Forde (Millwall), Sam Kelly (Port Vale), Liam McAlinden (Shrewsbury Town), Liam Kinsella (Walsall)
3 yellow cards– Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), Cian Bolger, Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United)
1 clean sheet– Colin Doyle (Blackpool)
League Two
26 appearances– Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley), Barry Corr, Rory Gaffney (Cambridge United), Gary Dicker (Carlisle United), Shamir Fenelon, Rhys Murphy (Crawley Town), Kane Ferdinand, Frankie Sutherland (Dag & Red), Clinton Morrison (Exeter City), Jake Carroll (Hartlepool United), Sean Long (Luton Town), Jamie Devitt, Barry Roche (Morecambe), John-Joe O’Toole (Northampton Town), Graham Burke, Alan Sheehan (Notts County), Pat Hoban, Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Graham Carey, Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle), Michael Doyle, Brian Murphy, Enda Stevens (Portsmouth), Michael Harriman (Wycombe Wanderers), Michael Collins, Eddie Nolan (York City)
4 goalscorers– Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley), Rory Gaffney [2] (Cambridge United), Rhys Murphy (Crawley Town), Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle)
4 un-used substitutes– Gearoid Morrissey (Cambridge United), Jack Connors (Dag & Red), Alan Dunne (Leyton Orient), Mark O’Brien (Luton Town)
1 yellow card – Rhys Murphy (Crawley Town)
1 clean sheet– Brian Murphy (Portsmouth)
Scottish Premiership
5 appearances– Jonny Hayes, Adam Rooney (Aberdeen), Sean Dillon (Dundee United), Graham Cummins, Joe Shaughnessy (St Johnstone)
1 goalscorer– Adam Rooney (Aberdeen)
MLS
3 appearances– Kevin Doyle, Sean St Ledger (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
1 goalscorer– Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
Compiled by GARETH MAHER