Irish Eye: Long earns Baggies a share of the spoils on derby day

The Tipperary striker scored in West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Villa, while Cillian Sheridan bagged a hat-trick for Kilmarnock and Liam Lawrence was on target in Greece.

VERY 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

Shane Long (Aston Villa 1-1 West Brom) After his cameo last week, the Tipperary native got the nod to start in the Midlands derby at Villa Park. And the faith shown by his manager was justified as Long latched onto James Morison’s cross to score on 51 minutes in the 1-1 draw.

Ciaran Clark started for Villa, while Shay Given took up what is becoming his usual place on the bench.

Noel Hunt (Reading 2-2 Newcastle) The Waterford striker was named in the Reading starting XI and delivered with his first goal of the season on 53 minutes. Jobi McAnuff crossed from the left and Hunt was on hand to glance home a header.

Seamus Coleman (Everton 3-1 Southampton) Another productive weekend for the Killybegs man, who again started at full-back and crossed superbly for Nikica Jelavic’s second goal of the day. If he can keep his place in the high-flying Toffees team, it would be a massive boost for Ireland. If Trap acknowledge it, that is.

James McClean (Sunderland 1-0 Wigan) Steven Fletcher’s incredible start to life in Sunderland continued and he was set up by Irish winger James McClean for his fifth goal of the season. McClean got down the left and drove in a low cross for Fletcher to thump home. John O’Shea began at the back for the Mackems and James McCarthy was on the losing side.

Npower Championship

Alan Lee (Huddersfield 2-3 Watford) Former Ireland international Andy Lee came off the bench to score what looked to be the goal that would earn Huddersfield a point before Troy Deeney’s winner for the Hornets.

Stephen Hunt (Wolves 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday) The winger wasn’t involved due to an injury picked up last week and it has been confirmed that his miserable time is set to continue as he will have surgery on his hip and is likely to miss a significant chunk of the season.

League One

Jonathan Douglas (Tranmere 1-1 Brentford) The ex-Leeds United midfielder scored a 95th-minute equaliser away to league leaders Tranmere.

Joe Dunne (Colchester 3-1 Hartlepool ) One time Ireland U21 international Joe Dunne began his reign as the new Colchester manager with a 3-1 win over Hartlepool on Saturday.

League Two

Padraig Amond (Wimbledon 1-2 Accrington Stanley) After scoring last weekend, Amond was again on target for Paul Cooke’s side. Fellow Irish recruit Peter Murphy hit the winner on 78 minutes while Karl Sheppard was introduced late on.

Scottish Premier League

Eoin Doyle (Aberdeen 2-1 Hibernian) Pat Fenlon’s men are fifth in the SPL after going down 2-1 to Aberdeen but Irish striker Doyle notched his third goal of the season. k

Cillian Sheridan (Hearts 1-3 Kilmarnock) The Cavan native added to his first goal for the club with a hat-trick away to Hearts. See all three goals and read more here.

Richie Foran (Inverness CT 4-0 Dundee United) Two goals for ex-Shelbourne forward Foran to help them dispose of Dundee United for their first win of the campaign.

Around the world…

Liam Lawrence (PAOK Salonika 4-1 Aris) The former Portsmouth player is making a name for himself in Greek football and scored his second goal for the club with a brilliant volley.

Watch the goal here.