WITH ALL THE political turmoil in Ireland at the weekend, another David Norris shone on the pitch cross-channel for Ipswich, while former international Ian Harte continued his scoring ways for Reading.

David Norris

Although Roy Keane may be gone from the Ipswich managerial post, there are still many Irish faces at the club and on the pitch under new boss Paul Jewell.

Saturday’s match against Doncaster was his first home game at his new club, and although the Tractor Boys were one down at half-time, a superb second-half performance, including an equaliser from midfielder and club captain Norris.

Although born and raised in Peterborough, Norris’s mother hails from Co Kildare, and he is eligible to play for Ireland. During Steve Staunton’s tenure as national boss, he approached the player about playing in a 2007 friendly against Denmark, but was not selected in the final squad.

However, with Norris still inclined to declare for Ireland, perhaps he is an option worth considering .

Ian Harte

The 64-time Irish international defender popped up on the scoresheet once again on Saturday, as his late penalty earned a point for the Royals at home to Hull.

With Noel Hunt sidelined through injury, Reading did not have their favoured attacking duo of Shane Long and Hunt, and Simon Church was called upon to play up front. Church did not have the best of games, and was substituted with half an hour to go, meaning that Hunt will immediately return to the strike-force next weekend.

Stephen O’Halloran

With the Irish squad to be announced this afternoon, and Kevin Kilbane demoted to League One football, the left-back position is up for grabs. Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham looked to have automatically inherited it from Killer, but a fractured tibia has him out of action for four months.

Thus, a case could be made for any one of three players: Wolves’ Stephen Ward, Aston Villa utility man Ciaran Clark, and twice-capped Stephen O’Halloran. Coventry defender O’Halloran had been out of action for a few months, but since his return has slotted straight into the City line-up.

He played another 90 minutes on Saturday, and looked comfortable in possession, as well as delivering a few crunching tackles.