Top Performer
Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield)
Now in his third year with The Spireites, O’Shea is a leading figure on the pitch for the League One side and he has no problem taking on responsibility in big games. The latest example of that came in the 7-1 triumph over Shrewsbury Town, where he netted twice – taking his tally for the season to five goals – and put in a commanding performance.
Watch Out For
Ryan Manning (QPR)
Top scorer for the Republic of Ireland Under 19s last year, this dynamic forward has a knack of drifting into dangerous positions and wreaking havoc. Whether he is tasked with leading the line or playing out wide, Manning is at his best when attacking players with the ball at his feet. He faces competition from compatriots Jake Mulraney and Reece Grego-Cox at club level but he’s a real talent.
Irish Manager Monitor
In the Championship, Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion narrowly lost at home to Wolves, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town drew 0-0 away to Burnley, and Brian McDermott celebrated a first win in his second spell at Reading as his side overcame Bristol City 1-0.
In League One, Sean O’Driscoll suffered his first loss as Walsall boss as they fell 3-0 at home to Rochdale. While in League Two, John Sheridan’s Newport County saw their game with Hartlepool United postponed.
Further Afield
In Australia’s A-League, Roy O’Donovan picked up a yellow card before being substituted in Central Coast Mariners’ 3-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix.
In Scottish Championship, Rob Kiernan started for Rangers in their 6-0 win away to Dumbarton, Jon Daly played for Raith Rovers in the 1-0 loss against Hibernian, and Conor Pepper featured for Morton in their 1-0 defeat at home to St Mirren.
In England’s Vanarama National League, Padraig Amond scored again for Grimsby Town as they drew 1-1 with Guiseley with James McKeown also playing. Other players who notched up minutes were Sean McGinty (Aldershot), Josh O’Keefe (Altrincham), Alan Power (Lincoln City), Ritchie Branagan, Neill Byrne (Macclesfield Town).
Weekend Stats
Premier League
10 appearances– Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland)
1 goalscorer– Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
3 un-used substitutes– Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
3 yellow cards– Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Championship
24 appearances– Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Shane Duffy, Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Judge (Brentford), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Joe Mason, Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Cyrus Christie, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh (Derby County), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town), David Meyler (Hull City), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers, Darren Potter (MK Dons), Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham, Eoin Doyle (Preston North End), Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn (Reading), Lee Frecklington, Paul Green (Rotherham United), Matt Doherty (Wolves)
2 goalscorers– Joe Mason (Cardiff City), Eoin Doyle (Preston North End)
5 un-used substitutes– Jack Bonham (Brentford), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Joe Murphy (Huddersfield Town), Niall Keown (Reading), Aaron McCarey (Wolves)
3 yellow cards– Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons), Stephen Quinn (Reading)
League One
31 appearances– Conor Hourihane, Kevin Long, Aidan White (Barnsley), Colin Doyle (Blackpool), Billy Clarke (Bradford City), Damien McCrory, Anthony O’Connor (Burton Albion), Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Owen Garvan (Colchester United), Paul Keegan (Doncaster Rovers), Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), John Egan, Bradley Garmston (Gillingham), David Forde, Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams (Millwall), Rhys Murphy (Oldham Athletic), Chris Forrester (Peterborough United), Donal McDermott (Rochdale), Niall Canavan, Stephen Dawson, Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United), Conor Sammon (Sheffield United), James Collins, Liam Lawrence (Shrewsbury Town), Gary Deegan, Noel Hunt, Dave Mooney, Glen Rea (Southend United), Anthony Forde (Walsall), Chris McCann (Wigan Athletic)
2 goalscorers– Jay O’Shea [2] (Chesterfield), Rhys Murphy (Oldham Athletic)
6 un-used substitutes– Charles Dunne (Blackpool), Callum Reilly (Burton Albion), Emmanuel Osadebe (Gillingham), Mark Yeates (Oldham Athletic), Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United), Liam Kinsella (Walsall)
4 yellow cards– Owen Garvan (Colchester United), Donal McDermott (Rochdale), Liam Lawrence (Shrewsbury Town), Gary Deegan (Southend United)
League Two
21 appearances– Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley), Ian Lawlor (Barnet), Rory Gaffney (Bristol Rovers), Barry Corr (Cambridge United), Gary Dicker (Carlisle United), Clinton Morrison (Exeter City), Jamie Devitt, Barry Roche (Morecambe), Brendan Moloney, John-Joe O’Toole (Northampton Town), Graham Burke, Ronan Murray (Notts County), Pat Hoban, Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle), Michael Doyle, Brian Murphy, Enda Stevens (Portsmouth), Michael Harriman (Wycombe Wanderers), James Berrett, Kenny McEvoy (York City)
3 goalscorers– Rory Gaffney [2] (Bristol Rovers), Jamie Devitt (Morecambe), Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
5 un-used substitutes– Shamir Fenelon (Crawley Town), Alan Dunne (Leyton Orient), Sean Long (Luton Town), Adam Barton (Portsmouth), Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon)
2 yellow cards– Enda Stevens (Portsmouth), Kenny McEvoy (York City)
2 clean sheets – Barry Roche (Morecambe), Brian Murphy (Portsmouth)
Scottish Premiership
2 appearances– Sean Dillon, Gavin Gunning (Dundee United)
Compiled by GARETH MAHER