Cork men were in charge of both sides on Tuesday night in League One as Brian Barry-Murphy's Cardiff recorded a comprehensive 4-0 home win over Conor Hourihane's Barnsley.
Barry-Murphy's side may have been missing top scorer Yousef Salech but still found a way to make it a 12th win from 15 games at Cardiff City Stadium this season – and register a 10th clean sheet in the league.
The result means Cardiff are now four points clear of Lincoln City at the top, while ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder Hourihane's Barnsley side are 15th.
Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman filled the front running spot in Salech's absence and he ended with an assist and a goal.
Perry Ng gave the home side a dream start as he scored in the third minute but it took the Bluebirds until the stroke of half-time to add to their tally.
Kellyman set Chris Willock free to allow him to cut inside and make it 2-0 just before the break to put Cardiff in firm control.
The Welsh side then finished with a flourish as Kellyman notched a third in the 63rd minute and Willock completed his brace with 21 minutes remaining.
"I'm over the moon with the result and the performance, because we did a lot of work on Barnsley and prepared in a very detailed manner. The players understood how big the challenge was and were very pleased to get the victory," said Barry-Murphy.
Meanwhile, Hourihane contrasted his side's fortunes with Cardiff's lofty status.
"All in all, it was bit of a humbling night for everyone and we need to realise where we are in the league and what they are bringing to the table compared to us. We are at two completely different scales."
Meanwhile, there were a host of Irish scorers elsewhere on a busy night in England's third tier.
Former Shelbourne striker Jack Moylan continued his fine recent form with a goal for Lincoln in their 3-0 home victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Bradford.
The Dubliner had been dubbed a "magic man" by his manager Michael Skubala last Thursday after scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over Burton.
This time against Bradford, his goal followed an opener from former Drogheda United striker Freddie Draper. Moylan doubled Lincoln's lead four minutes before half-time after he recycled a blocked shot and smashed low into the bottom corner.
Another ex-Drogheda player was also on target at the AESSEAL New York Stadium as Emmanuel Adegboyega celebrated a dream debut.
The Dundalk native's late goal earned Rotherham their first league win since November in a narrow 2-1 comeback victory against fellow strugglers Northampton.
The former Republic of Ireland under-21 defender came on as a substitute and was in the right place at the right time for Rotherham as he headed home in the 84th minute.
Five-time Ireland cap Will Keane also found the net for Reading in a game which saw Irish players contribute three of the four goals in the Royals' 2-2 home draw with Exeter City.
Exeter took a 14th-minute lead through their Irish skipper Pierce Sweeney, formerly of both Bray Wanderers and Reading, who had missed their recent FA Cup third round encounter at Manchester City through suspension.
But Reading loanee Will Keane levelled on the brink of half-time. Limerick-born centre-back Paudie O'Connor then gave the hosts a 2-1 advantage in the 75th minute only for Luca Woodhouse to level in the third minute of time added on at the end.
And skipper Ryan Sweeney - a former Ireland under-21 international - earned Mansfield a point in a 1-1 draw with Plymouth at Home Park as both sides extended their unbeaten League One runs to six games.
Additional reporting: PA
