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, Scotland and further afield.

Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…

Premier League

Ciaran Clark (Chelsea 8-0 Aston Villa)

While his rivals for the Irish centre back spot – John O’Shea and Alex Pearce – both produced excellent performances this weekend, Clark and his teammates had a nightmare against Chelsea in their 8-0 hammering. The result is good news for Shay Given and Richard Dunne though, both of whom now have a much better chance of getting back into the side.

Darron Gibson (West Ham 1-2 Everton)

It was a bittersweet afternoon for the Irish player, who helped his side recover from going a goal down to beat West Ham, before being sent off late on. However, Gibson is hopeful his three-match ban will be overturned on appeal, with even opposition manager Sam Allardyce believing the red card to have been a harsh one.

Jon Walters and Glenn Whelan (Tottenham 0-0 Stoke City)

The duo were part of a Stoke side that currently has one of the best defensive records in Europe, and both players have played integral roles in this achievement, given the amount of hard work they routinely put in. Tottenham were the latest side that struggled to break them down.

(Tottenham Hotspur’s Steven Caulker, right, jumps for the ball with Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters – Tom Hevezi/AP/Press Association Images)

John O’Shea and James McClean (Southampton 0-1 Sunderland)

The ex-United defender was roundly commended for his display as Sunderland kept a clean sheet, beating Southampton 1-0 thanks to a goal from the ever-reliable Steven Fletcher. James McClean, meanwhile, also played the full 90 minutes.

The Championship

Stephen Quinn, David Meyler and Robbie Brady (Derby 1-2 Hull)

The midfield trio all featured, as Hull’s fantastic form continued, in a win that saw them go joint top of the Championship. In addition, Quinn and Brady provided the assists for the first and second goals respectively. Meanwhile, Paul McShane was on the bench for Hull, and Connor Sammon played the full 90 minutes for Derby.

Andy Reid (Watford 2-0 Nottingham Forest)

The Irish midfielder had a less than satisfactory weekend, as he was taken off at half-time, with his side ultimately losing 2-0 away to Watford, for whom Mark Yeates was an unused substitute. The result leaves Forest 11th in the Championship.

Daryl Murphy (Ipswich 1-1 Bristol City)

The slow improvement for Mick McCarthy’s side continued as they gained a draw against fellow strugglers Bristol City. Daryl Murphy played 71 minutes for the hosts, before being taken off, while Greg Cunningham featured throughout for their opponents.

SPL

Paul Heffernan and Paul Doyle (Kilmarnock 1-1 Hibernian)

There was an Irish scorer apiece in Sunday’s SPL clash. Paul Heffernan put his side ahead after six minutes, before Paul Doyle drew the teams level. Following an exceptional start to the season, Fenlon’s Hibs now are beginning to slip slightly and sit in fourth position, while Kilmarnock are ninth.

Who else was worth a mention? Let us know in the comments section below.

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