While the Premier League doesn’t kick off until next Friday, the weekend saw plenty of Irish involvement across the English Football League, Championship and further afield in mainland Europe.
The Championship season began on Friday night with a strong Irish presence. Ipswich Town started with four Irishmen, including Dara O’Shea making his debut as club captain. Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor were also in the XI, while Chiedozie Ogbene returned after 287 days out with a ruptured Achilles. Ogbene was arguably Ipswich’s brightest spark in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City. Eiran Cashin, recently signed on loan, was an unused sub for the Blues.
Saturday’s lunchtime fixtures saw Charlton Athletic’s return to the second tier and Conor Coventry played the full game in midfield in a match decided in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Harvey Knibbs scoring a dramatic late winner for the Robins against Watford. Irish defender James Abankwah played 87 minutes for the Hornets, but Rocco Vata missed out with a minor hamstring issue.
The headline moment came at St Mary’s. With Southampton trailing 1-0 against Wrexham in the 87th minute, Gavin Bazunu produced a world-class stop to deny Ryan Hardie. Three minutes later, Ryan Manning curled in a stunning free-kick before setting up the winner deep into stoppage time. James McClean came on late for Wrexham, while Will Smallbone missed out through injury and Eoghan O’Connell was an unused sub.
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Hull City’s bench included Ireland Under-19 prospect Cathal McCarthy alongside John Egan for the 0-0 draw with Coventry City.
In League One, Luton Town’s Josh Keeley and Millenic Alli helped secure a 2-0 win at Peterborough, with Keeley earning his second straight clean sheet. Cian Hayes and David Okagbue started for the hosts, with all four Irishmen completing 90 minutes.
Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs brought mixed news. Jimmy Dunne missed QPR’s game against Preston with a hip problem, while Robbie Brady is a major doubt for Ireland’s September fixtures after a calf injury. Finn Azaz also remains sidelined for Middlesbrough.
On the pitch, Bosun Lawal impressed for Stoke City in a 3-1 win over Derby. Playing at centre half after a strong preseason return from a serious back injury, Lawal looked composed before his afternoon was cut short after a head knock, but he remains one to watch this season.
The final Championship action on Saturday came with Bristol City’s surprise 4-1 win at Sheffield United, where captain Jason Knight was influential and Sinclair Armstrong featured off the bench, while Tom Cannon played the last half-hour for the Blades. On Sunday, Gabriel Otegbayo started in Sheffield United’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, with Kasey McAteer coming on for the Foxes.
Elsewhere in the EFL, there was no shortage of Irish goals. Aaron Drinan struck for Swindon in their 3-2 win over Cambridge and Jaze Kabia grabbed a 92nd-minute equaliser for Grimsby in the 3-3 draw away to Harrogate to make it two goals in two games for the Corkman.
Veteran David McGoldrick showed his class with a 93rd-minute winner for Barnsley in their 3-2 win at home to Burton Albion. Ireland Under-21 international Jamie Mullins netted his first EFL goal for Wycombe in a 2-1 defeat to Stockport, while Stephen McLaughlin scored for Mansfield Town in a 2-1 loss to Doncaster.
Dylan Duffy curled home a 25-yard free-kick for Chesterfield in their 2-0 win over Cheltenham and Promise Omochere was also on target for Bristol Rovers in a 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood.
Irish involvement abroad also kicked off with success in the Netherlands. Anselmo García MacNulty played the full 90 in PEC Zwolle’s 1-0 win over FC Twente, while Troy Parrott stole the show for AZ Alkmaar, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Groningen – his second goal oozing with class.
In Scotland, it was a quieter weekend. Adam Idah and Liam Scales started for Celtic against Aberdeen, while Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu lined up for St Mirren in their 0-0 draw with Motherwell. Jamie McGrath provided an assist for Hibernian in their 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.
Player of the week: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)
Troy Parrott was the standout this week, scoring twice on Sunday in a superb Eredivisie opener for AZ Alkmaar. The striker had already netted a brace against Vaduz in Thursday’s Conference League win, taking his tally to seven goals in all competitions since the start of European qualifiers.
Goal of the week: Ryan Manning (Southampton)
Ryan Manning was the clear winner after scoring a world-class free-kick to equalise for Southampton in the 90th minute against Wrexham, before providing a key pass for the winner. Manning’s goal is already being called a goal of the season contender.
Stat of the week: Jamie Mullins (Wycombe) first EFL goal
Jamie Mullins scored his first EFL goal on Saturday, delivering a standout performance despite the defeat to Stockport. The midfielder joined the club permanently in the summer from Brighton and has shone in his first two games. A magnificent talent, he capped his display with a lovely goal and looks set to build on this bright start.
