EVERY MONDAY, WE scan the passports, check the family trees and cross-reference with the “granny rule” to keep you informed about the ups and downs of all the Irish (and Irish-eligible) footballers in England and Scotland. Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…
Premier League
Keith Andrews (Wolves 1-5 West Brom)
Keith Andrews began life with the Baggies on a good note by scoring the fourth in their derby day demolition. The midfielder, who began his career at Molineux and played 65 times for Wanderers between 1999 and 2005, helped put the final nail in Mick McCarthy’s coffin with his deflected strike in the 85th minute after coming off the bench at half-time.
Steven Reid and Simon Cox were also on the winning side, while Stephen Ward, Kevin Foley and Kevin Doyle featured for the home team.
Anthony Pilkington (Swansea 2-3 Norwich)
He may have been snubbed by Trap last week but Lancashire-born winger Anthony Pilkington became Ireland’s top goalscorer in the Premier League this season during the 3-2 victory over Swansea. The U21 international scored his seventh of the campaign with an effort which came off Swans defender Neil Taylor from the edge of the box on 51 minutes.
James McClean (Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal)
Another week, another goal for James McClean. Per Mertesacker’s fall allowed the 22-year-old through on goal and he rifled the ball across the body of Wojciech Szczesny and into the bottom corner. However, it wasn’t to be his second winner in a week as Arsenal struck back through Aaron Ramsey and Thierry Henry. John O’Shea played at centre-half for the Black Cats.
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa 0-1 Man City)
Former City defender Richard Dunne faces a lengthy lay-off after a nasty fall in the late stages of yesterday’s defeat and will miss Ireland’s friendly with the Czech Republic. There was also bad news for Ciaran Clark, who has tweaked knee ligaments. Shay Given, Robbie Keane and Stephen Ireland (from the bench) lined out for Villa.
Scottish Premier League
Jon Daly (St Johnstone 1-5 Dundee United)
Dubliner Jon Daly notched his fifteenth goal of the season for the Tangerines in their 5-1 hammering of St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. The striker headed home on 89 minutes in a game which Cillian Sheridan started up top on the opposing side.
