skip to main content

Irish Abroad: Long stars as Judge is ruled out

Updated / Monday, 11 Apr 2016 13:54
Shane Long was back on the goal trail on Saturday
Shane Long was back on the goal trail on Saturday

Here is your comprehensive guide to how the Irish players abroad got on after another action-packed weekend.

Good weekend: Shane Long (Southampton)

Shane Long returned from injury to score his eighth goal in the Premier League this season, equalling his best goalscoring return in the competition. The former West Brom striker opened the scoring after a one-two with striker partner Graziano Pellé allowed the Tipperary man to breeze past a calamitous Newcastle rearguard and place the ball in the bottom corner.

Long later returned the compliment to his Italian teammate when his touch in the box set up Pellé for the Italian to curve the ball past Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal. 

Bad weekend: Alan Judge (Brentford)

Alan Judge’s hopes of playing in Euro 2016 are over after suffering a double leg break this weekend. The skilful midfielder, who has more assists than any other player in the Championship with 11, was taken off after a challenge in the second minute from Ipswich Town player Luke Hyam.

The late tackle was only deemed worthy of a yellow card but Hyamwas was later sent off for a second bookable offence. The injury could also hamper any prospect Judge had of moving to a Premier League club in the summer. 

Goal of the weekend: Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle)

Former Bohemians midfielder Graham Carey scored his 10th goal of the season for Plymouth Argyle but his brilliant finish wasn’t enough as the Pilgrims lost 2-1 at home to fellow play-off hopefuls AFC Wimbledon in League Two.

.

Did you see?

He may not be playing regularly for West Ham but Darren Randolph doesn’t seem to be losing any of his sharpness if this superb save in training is anything to go by.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK:

1. Relegation to the Championship for Aston Villa could open the door for Ashbourne native Kevin Toner to make an impact at Villa Park. The 19-year-old was an unused substitute this weekend and can play as either a centre-back or left-back.

2. Glenn Whelan’s record of starting every Premier League game this season is over after he failed a late fitness test before Stoke took on Liverpool. The midfielder pulled a muscle in his back when he was getting out of his car during the week.

3. James McClean provided an assist as he made his first start in six games for West Brom at Manchester City.

4. Leon Best continues to demonstrate to Martin O’Neill that he is willing and able to deputise for any of Ireland’s injured strikers by netting his fourth goal in five games for Rotherham United.

5. For various reasons only two Irish goalkeepers started in England’s top four divisions this weekend. They were Colin Doyle of Blackpool, and Barry Roche of Morecambe who was sent off for the second time in four matches.

THE WEEKEND IN NUMBERS: 

Premier League: 7 starters 

Defenders (3): Séamus Coleman (Everton), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)  

Midfielders (3):  James McCarthy (Everton), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), James McClean (West Brom) 

Forwards (1): Shane Long (Southampton) 

Unused substitutes (7): Darren Randolph (West Ham), Shay Given (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Toner (Aston Villa), Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Stephen Ireland (Stoke City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City) 

Goals (2): James McCarthy (Everton), Shane Long (Southampton) 

Championship: 21 starters  

Defenders (9): Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Kevin Foley (Ipswich Town), Stephen Kelly (Rotherham United), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Greg Cunningham (Preston), Matt Doherty (Wolves)  

Midfielders (8):  Lee Frecklington (Rotherham United), Darren Potter (MK Dons), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Alan McCormack (Brentford), Stephen Quinn (Reading) Alan Judge (Brentford), Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday)  

 

Forwards (4): Leon Best (Rotherham United), Simon Cox (Reading), Joe Mason (Wolves), Eoin Doyle (Preston).

Substitute appearances (4):  Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town).

Unused substitutes (7): Jack Bonham (Brentford), Paddy Kenny (Rotherham United), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Alex Pearce (Bristol City), Kevin Long (MK Dons), David Meyler (Hull City), Alan Browne (Preston),  

Goals (1): Leon Best (Rotherham United) 

PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Shane Long scored his 14th goal of the season for club and country to push Newcastle United closer to the Championship. The 29-year-old also produced his second assist in as many games for Graziano Pellé as the Saints eased to a 3-1 win over the Magpies.

Damien Delaney was part of the Crystal Palace defence that kept a clean sheet against fellow strugglers Norwich City.

The Cork man has started 26 out of Crystal Palace’s last 27 games. Earlier in the game he would have deemed himself lucky not to have conceded a penalty when he barged into Norwich’s Matt Jarvis in the box.

Robbie Brady started for the Canaries but Wes Hoolahan was an unused substitute for the sixth time this season in the Premier League.

Alex Neil’s men come up against Sunderland in another relegation six-pointer next weekend.

John O’Shea remained on the Sunderland bench for the second week in a row as Leicester City tightened their grip on the Premier League trophy with a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

Ciaran Clark started his 13th Premier League of the season for Aston Villa and it proved unlucky for the Irish defender as his poor control from an Aly Cissokho pass lead to Bournemouth doubling the lead as Villa lost for an eight consecutive game.

Meath man Kevin Toner was an unused substitute for Villa.

Norwich’s loss means that confirmation of Villa’s inevitable relegation to the Championship will have to wait another week.

Eunan O’Kane failed to get off the Bournemouth bench despite fellow Irish international Harry Arter missing the game through injury. Eddie Howe’s decision not to play O’Kane would have come as a blow to the midfielder as he aims to make a late push into Martin O’Neill’s final 23-man squad.

James McCarthy scored for the first time since scoring against Manchester United nearly a year ago as the Toffees drew 1-1 with fellow FA Cup semi-finalists Watford.

The Irish midfielder pounced on a mistake by Miguel Britos to coolly net his first of the season.

Séamus Coleman made his 25th Premier League start of the season as the pressure grows on Roberto Martinez after another disappointing result for Everton. Darron Gibson was once again excluded from the matchday squad.

Darren Randolph was on the bench as West Ham and Arsenal played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Upton Park.

Randolph is likely to start for the Hammers on Wednesday when they take on Manchester United in a FA Cup quarter-final replay, the last cup match at Upton Park.

The dip in form in recent weeks of Adrián may result in a first Premier League start since September for Randolph should he impress in midweek. James McClean started for West Brom for the first time since February as they lost 2-1 to Champions League quarter-finalists Manchester City.

The Baggies took the lead when Stéphane Sessègnon fired a terrific shot past Joe Hart from James McClean’s cross.

The Irish winger’s only other assist this season came in West Brom’s win at Norwich City. McClean very nearly equalised in the last minute of the match but his volley went narrowly wide.

Glenn Whelan missed his first Premier League game of the season as Liverpool hammered four past Stoke City.

Shay Given had to settle for a place on the bench for the Potters, while Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters remain sidelined.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP

Keiren Westwood was injured in the warm-up as Sheffield Wednesday went on to lose 4-1 at Bristol City without the Irish goalkeeper.

Aiden McGeady was replaced at half-time with the Owls 3-0 down. The Everton loanee celebrated his 30th birthday last Monday but is yet to hit top form despite featuring 11 times for Wednesday since joining in January. Alex Pearce was an unused substitute for the Robins.

Kevin Foley started for Ipswich Town but defeat at home to Brentford leaves Mick McCarthy’s side in need of a miracle to reach the play-offs.

The Tractor Boys are eight points behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth place, with five games to go.

Jonathan Douglas and David McGoldrick were half-time substitutes as Ipswich looked to get back in the game, and it was McGoldrick who provided the assist as Ipswich scored a late consolation goal.

Alan McCormack started for Brentford who as mentioned earlier had Alan Judge stretchered off. Stephen Ward continued his fine form for Burnley as the Clarets maintained their bid for an instant return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Leeds United.

It was back-to-back clean sheets for Ward and Burnley after a scoreless draw with Cardiff in midweek.

Anthony Pilkington picked up a knee injury in that game which ruled the former Norwich midfielder out of Cardiff City’s trip to Fulham, which they lost 2-1 to dent their chances of reaching the play-offs.

Rotherham United moved nine points clear off the relegation zone with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over relegation rivals MK Dons.

Stephen Kelly, Lee Frecklington and Leon Best all started for the Millers. Neil Warnock’s side have picked up 20 points out of possible 24 since losing to Reading in February.

Just before half-time the in-form Frecklington, who was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award for March, was replaced due to injury with the score at 2-0. Earlier in the half Leon Best scored his fourth goal in the last five games from the penalty spot.

Darren Potter started for MK Dons while Samir Carruthers came on as a substitute.

Shane Duffy returned from suspension to help Blackburn Rovers keep a clean sheet against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Derry man could have won it late on for Rovers but for a fine save by Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal.

Darragh Lenihan also started for Paul Lambert’s side making his 18th appearance of the season. Matt Doherty operated at left-back for Wolves as he kept a third clean sheet in the last five games. Joe Mason also started but it’s nearly two months since the Irish striker has scored, a run of 10 games.

Cyrus Christie returned to Derby County’s starting line-up in Tuesday’s thumping 4-0 win over promotion rivals Hull City and the right-back kept his place in the side as the Rams thrashed Bolton Wanderers 4-1 to confirm the Trotters’ place in League One next season.

Richard Keogh continued is his run of starting every league match this season after missing only one game last season. Jeff Hendrick is expected to return from his torn thigh muscle at the start of next month.

David Meyler has now not played for Hull City in over a month as he was left on the bench as the Tigers drew 2-2 away at Huddersfield.

Sean Scannell came off the bench for the sixth time this season as the Terriers edge another point closer to securing Championship football next season. Stephen Henderson was on the bench as Charlton Athletic lost 2-1 at QPR, leaving the Addicks with an almost insurmountable challenge to stay in the division.

The Irish goalkeeper has failed to return to the Charlton side since coming back from injury last week.

Stephen Gleeson started for Birmingham City as the Blues beat Reading to earn their first win away from St Andrews since January.

The Royals had a trio of Irish internationals in their side but Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and Simon Cox couldn’t prevent Brian McDermott’s side losing their first home league match of 2016.

Middlesbrough increased their chances of playing Premier League football next season with a 1-0 victory over Preston North End.

The Lilywhites started with Greg Cunningham and Eoin Doyle in the side with Alan Browne rested after playing two games in a week since coming back from injury. Nottingham Forest take on Chris Hughton’s Brighton this evening, Richie Towell was an unused sub in Brighton’s midweek win over Birmingham.

LEAGUE ONE ROUND-UP

Conor Hourihane and Aidan White both returned to league action for Barnsley after last weekend’s success at Wembley but lost 2-1 to Jay O'Shea’s Chesterfield.

It’s only five years since Blackpool were in the Premier League but the Tangerines are facing the prospect of dropping down to the fourth tier of English football after defeat against fellow strugglers Colchester United.

Colin Doyle and David Norris both started for Blackpool in the 1-0 defeat with Owen Garvan starting for the Oysters.

Billy Clarke scored the only goal as Bradford City kept their slim hopes of automatic promotion alive with a 1-0 win against Swindon Town. On-loan West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen also started for Bradford.

John O’Sullivan, on-loan from Blackburn Rovers, provided the cross for Leon Clarke as Bury scored a late winner for Doncaster Rovers. Cian Bolger also started for the Shakers as they edge themselves away from the relegation zone.

.

David Forde was on the bench as Millwall beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1. Barring injury or suspension, the Galway native is highly unlikely to play again for Millwall between now and the end of the season. Shaun Williams did start for the Lions with Aiden O'Brien coming on as a half-time substitute.

Chris McCann was an unused substitute as Wigan beat Coventry City with the Latics on the verge of an immediate return to the Championship.

Former Finn Harps and Derry City winger Stephen McLaughlin provided an assist as Southend United draw 2-2 with Fleetwood Town. Gary Deegan provided the other assist for the Shrimpers.

Paddy Madden picked up his seventh booking of the season as Scunthorpe United beat Burton.

Chris Forrester started for Peterborough United as the Posh lost at home to Rochdale. Dubliner Donal McDermott provided the first assist of the game for Rochdale.

LEAGUE TWO ROUND-UP

Northampton Town secured promotion back to League One after an absence of seven years thanks to a 2-2 draw at home to Bristol Rovers. The Cobblers started with Brendan Moloney and John-Joe O'Toole while James Collins, on-loan from Shrewsbury Town, came on as a late substitution.

O’Toole and Hartlepool’s Jake Carroll were nominated for League Two Player of the Month before losing out to Matty Taylor of Bristol Rovers.

Graham Carey scored our goal of the weekend as Plymouth Argyle lost to AFC Wimbledon but they remain in the play-off positions.

Goalkeeper Barry Roche was sent off for the second time in four matches when he once again took down the opposition forward down in the box as Morecambe went on to lose 5-2 at home to Hartlepool.

Highly-rated Irish Under-21 international Callum O’Dowda scored his fourth goal in the last three games as Oxford United thrashed Crawley 5-1. The U’s are four points clear in the automatic promotion places with five games to play but O’Dowda is almost certain to be playing at a higher level next season with several Championship clubs interested in the 20-year-old.

Michael Doyle scored Portsmouth’s equaliser as Pompey came from behind to convincingly beat Dagenham and Redbridge 4-1. Former Shamrock Rovers defender Enda Stevens provided the assist for the fourth goal as Paul Cook’s men cement their place in the play-offs.

REST OF THE WORLD

In the Scottish Premiership, Jonny Hayes started for Aberdeen but defeat at Hearts has left their title bid in tatters after Celtic went on to win at Motherwell. Willo Flood was a first-half substitute for the Dons.

In the Scottish Championship, Anthony Stokes scored in midweek for Hibernian but was powerless to prevent them losing away at Alloa.

Danny Rogers started in goal for Falkirk as the Bairns beat St Mirren 3-2. Rangers beat Peterhead 4-0 to lift the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Rob Kiernan started for Rangers, who take on Celtic next week in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

In the Eredivisie, Jack Byrne put in yet another impressive performance, this time against Ajax but defeat to the league leaders leaves Cambuur on the cusp of relegation.

In Cyprus, Cillian Sheridan started for Omonia Nicosia as his side won 2-1 against Apollon.

In the A-League, Andy Keogh’s goalscoring run ended as Perth Glory lost 4-0 to Sydney FC but Roy O’Donovan scored for Central Coast Mariners and was set up by Luis Garcia in the former Liverpool player’s last match for the club.

TEAM OF THE WEEKEND (4-4-2): Colin Doyle (Blackpool); Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace),Stephen Ward (Burnley); CallumO’Dowda (Oxford United), Jack Byrne (Cambuur), James McCarthy (Everton), James McClean (West Brom); Shane Long (Southampton), Leon Best (Rotherham United).

Outside of the Premier League and the Championship only selected players are included.

More stories on

Read Next