IT WAS a bad day for Derby County and their Irish contingent as they just missed out on a spot in the playoffs on the final day of the League One season.
Eiran Cashin, David McGoldrick, Jason Knight and Conor Hourihane all started, while James Collins came off the bench as the Rams were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield Wednesday.
The visitors were hampered significantly by Curtis Davies’ first half sending off.
Their loss meant Peterborough pipped them to a top-six spot, as former Ireland U21 international Jack Taylor scored in their 2-0 win over Barnsley.
Luca Connell and Barry Cotter both started for the home side.
This decision could cost Derby a play off place 🤯
— The72 - We Love the #EFL (@_The72) May 7, 2023
pic.twitter.com/y7atE28EOb
Meanwhile, Irish youngster and Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz scored in Plymouth’s 3-1 win over Port Vale as his side were confirmed as League One champions.
It was a day to forget elsewhere for MK Dons’ Irish contingent as they were relegated from League One.
Warren O’Hara and Conor Grant started and Dawson Devoy came off the bench amid a 0-0 draw away to Buron, while former St Patrick’s Athletic player Darragh Burns and Rotherham loanee Joshua Kayode are also part of the squad.
Morecambe’s relegation was also confirmed as they were beaten 3-2 by Exeter City, with Dan Crowley starting, Irish defender Ryan Delaney coming off the bench and Courtney Duffus also part of the squad.
Accrington Stanley went down too despite a 2-1 win over Oxford, with Irish duo Seamus Conneelly and Leslie Adekoya part of the squad.
Irish-eligible Marcus Harness came off the bench to score as already-promoted Ipswich had to settle for second place amid a 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town.
Richard Keogh was an unused sub for Kieran McKenna’s side, while former Bohemians player Promise Omochere started and registered an assist for the hosts, while Cian Hayes came off the bench.
Finally, former Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena scored his fourth goal in four games and sixth in total since joining Cheltenham in January as they finished their season with a 2-2 draw against Charlton, while the striker also registered an assist for his side’s late equaliser.
Sean Long and Will Ferry also featured for the hosts.
Baloucoune for me is one of the most underrated young talents in the country, if he played for Leinster there’d probably be a lot more hype about him but every time I’ve watched him he’s been exceptional ( apart from when he should have been red carded v munster). He’s physically very well able and has decent speed but probably the most impressive thing about him is his ability to do the little things right all of the time. You rarely see him make mistakes. Sorry to see him injured, it could have been a good 12 months for him with Ireland but he’ll be back, I’ve no doubt about that. Hope he mends quickly.
@Jim Demps: right, now that Jim has his jab at Leinster out of the way, why don’t we all just not respond to him lest ANOTHER 42 thread becomes a mudsling-fest (the very kind Jim SWEARS he hates)?
@omgraham: agreed, 3 articles, none about Leinster, Jim fits in a dig about Leinster on each, on form today! … Baloucoune was called into the 6 nations squad , Is that enough recognition for you Jim?
@Dennis Reynolds: it’s his own Dennis system:
D: Demonstrate value with knowledge of the game
E: Engage with every article written about rugby
N: Nurture the idea that he is unbiased by sometimes complimenting Leinster players (I have witnessed this phenomenon)
N: Neglect reasoning to take a pop at Leinster at every given opportunity, thus bringing out the worst of the 42
I: Inspire hope by announcing you’re leaving the hell hole you’ve created to discuss rugby like an adult in a WhatsApp group
S: Seperate from said group to make a dramatic comeback, as sour and transparent as ever
@Dennis Reynolds: A bit like the Leinster fans who continuously cut Munster on the Munster articles and mention how great Leinster are. I’ve not seen you criticise them or is that different?
Really disappointing for Robert. Hope he come back stronger. Lucky we have good depth out wide.
Similar to Paul O’Connell it seems, in how it happened. Hopefully nothing near as bad
@Gareth Ward: Hope it’s not. Because of his age chances are he might make a full recovery and hopefully he does
Shame for him and Ulster as he is a big time player who has already established himself as someone with that match winning X factor quality.
Ulster don’t have the strength in depth and can ill afford to be missing players of his ability.
At least he has age on his side and that hopefully will lead to a full and speedy recovery
The 42 should stop with the injuries stories today.
@Chris Mc: Pretty bad news day all round isnt it