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Aiden McGeady could feature for Sheffield Wednesday tonight. EMPICS Sport

Aiden McGeady and 18 other Irish players to watch out for in the play-offs

There is Irish interest across the Championship, League One and League Two in the coming days.

The Championship

1. Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday)

AIDEN MCGEADY COULD feature tonight as Sheffield Wednesday take on Brighton. The winger has made 13 appearances since going on loan to the Championship club from Everton.

2. Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)

Westwood will be hoping to convince Martin O’Neill to take him to the Euros as he lines out for his club against Brighton this evening. Despite a series of stellar performances, Westwood’s place on the plane to France remains uncertain. In the past, O’Neill has questioned his reliability and failure to turn up for squad gatherings, adding:  “He’s a talented boy, definitely, but of course I would have a bit of concern.”

3. David Meyler (Hull)

Another who is on the fringes of the Ireland team, the 26-year-old has played 33 times already for Hull this season and will be hoping to feature against Derby on Saturday.

4. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County)

The 24-year-old Dubliner has made 34 appearances this season for promotion-chasing Derby and will be hoping to feature tomorrow against Hull.

5. Richard Keogh (Derby County)

Derby County v Birmingham City - Sky Bet Championship - iPro Stadium Nigel French Nigel French

Derby’s Player of the Year has enjoyed a stellar season for club and country alike, and will be hoping to travel to the Euros on a high by sealing promotion with Darren Wassall’s side.

6. Cyrus Christie (Derby County)

Another Irish international who has impressed at Derby, winning the Young Player of the Year award this season. Christie is consequently expected to start in his side’s crucial game with Hull tomorrow.

League One

7. Conor Hourihane (Barnsley)

The 25-year-old Corkonian has already made one Wembley appearance this season, and will be looking to cap a fine season, in which he has managed 11 goals from 50 appearances in midfield, by leading his side to play-off glory.

8. Aiden O’Brien (Millwall)

The promising 22-year-old striker will be hoping to add to the 13 goals he has managed already this season, as Millwall face Bradford on Sunday.

9. Josh Cullen (Bradford)

On loan from West Ham, the Ireland underage international midfielder has played an important role in helping to guide Bradford to the play-offs, making 15 appearances for the League One side after making his Premier League debut for the Hammers off the bench against Liverpool last August.

10. Billy Clarke (Bradford)

Soccer - FA Cup - Fifth Round - Bradford City v Sunderland - Valley Parade EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

The 28-year-old Cork-born striker and former Ireland U21 striker will likely feature for Bradford, as they host Millwall this weekend.

11. Anthony Forde (Walsall)

The 22-year-old Limerick-born winger and former Ballingarry AFC player has scored five goals in 49 appearances for Walsall as they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the Championship, and he will almost certainly play a part in their vital clash with Barnsley tomorrow.

League Two

12. Enda Stevens (Portsmouth)

Stevens has thrived since moving to Portsmouth. The former Shamrock Rovers player has been named as the club’s Players’ Player of the Year this season. He has already played 90 minutes of a play-off first-leg, as Paul Cook’s side drew 2-2 with Plymouth last night.

13. Michael Doyle (Portsmouth)

Let go by Sheffield United at the end of last season, the 34-year-old Dublin-born midfielder will be aiming to make a swift return to League One, as he is set to feature in the return leg against Plymouth on Sunday.

14. Carl McHugh (Plymouth)

The 23-year-old defender has played 42 games already this season, including last night’s play-off first-leg with Portsmouth, and he’ll be hoping to end his campaign on a high at Wembley as he bids to help his side gain promotion to League One.

15. Graham Carey (Plymouth)

Portsmouth v Plymouth Argyle - Sky Bet League League One - Play Off - First Leg - Fratton Park PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The 26-year-old from Blanchardstown and former Celtic youngster has enjoyed a hugely impressive season, scoring 12 goals in 44 appearances from midfield. He will therefore likely be key to his side’s hopes in the return leg against Portsmouth.

16. Séamus Conneely (Accrington)

The London-born former Ireland U21 international and ex-Sligo Rovers player was desperately unlucky not to gain automatic promotion, as Accrington missed out on goal difference on the final day. He is expected to feature in their semi-final first-leg away to AFC Wimbledon tomorrow.

17. Connor Smith (AFC Wimbledon)

The Mullingar-born 23-year-old midfielder has impressed since leaving Watford for AFC Wimbledon back in January, making 10 appearances so far for the League Two club. He suffered a neck injury in their last match, but is expected to be fit in time for tomorrow’s first-leg.

18. Rhys Murphy (AFC Wimbledon)

On loan from League One side Oldham, the ex-Ireland U21 international midfielder has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances playing for three different clubs — Oldham, Crawley and AFC Wimbledon.

19. Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon)

The 19-year-old Londoner has appeared for Ireland at underage level and has made 10 League Two appearances in total since making his first appearance of the season back in February.

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Paul Fennessy
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