Irish Eye: The Duffer shows he's still got it

Fulham’s 33-year-old winger was on target while Dubliner Jon Daly moved to the top of the SPL goal charts.

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

Premier League

Damien Duff (Fulham 2-1 Norwich)

Ireland’s evergreen winger scored his first goal in over two months in the 2-1 win against the Canaries at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Duff, who was playing in his regular role in front of Stephen Kelly on the right of Fulham’s midfield, received a pass from Clint Dempsey and opened his body to curl the ball over the outstretched arms of John Ruddy.

Paddy Kenny (QPR 2-1 Arsenal)

Kenny was on top form as the Rs gained a huge three points to put them level with Wigan and Blackburn in the drop zone. The former Ireland international did brilliantly to keep Robin van Persie at bay when the Dutchman decided to shoot when through one-on-one. Would be a worthy back-up goalkeeper in Trap’s squad.

Npower Championship

Daryl Murphy (Ipswich 1-0 Barnsley)

Waterford native Daryl Murphy help the Tractor Boys extend their unbeaten run to eight games with a goal early in the second half against Barnsley. The ex-Sunderland and Celtic attacker fired home from the edge of the box after Michael Chopra had picked him out.

Noel Hunt & Ian Harte (West Ham 2-4 Reading)

Brian McDermott’s side are still looking good for automatic promotion with six fixtures remaining and on Saturday saw off third-placed West Ham at Upton Park. Noel Hunt and Ian Harte (from the penalty spot) were both on the score sheet for the Royals.

Watch highlights of that game here (the lads’ goals are at 6:20 and 8:28):

YouTube credit: WestHamUnited Highlights

Npower League One

Jonathan Douglas (MK Dons 1-2 Brentford)

Eight-times capped Douglas scored what turned out to be the decider after 26 minutes for Brentford. Arriving onto Shaleum Logan’s cut back, the midfielder took it on first time and found the top corner with his strike.

Alan Sheehan (Notts County 1-0 Oldham)

Goal No3 this season for Galwegian full-back Alan Sheehan, who boosted Notts County’s promotion hopes with a winner on 89 minutes.

Npower League Two

Michael Spillane (Port Vale 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge)

Dagenham & Redbridge moved away from the relegation places with a 1-0 win away to Port Vale thanks to Jersey-born Michael Spillane. The midfielder, on loan from Brentford, was on hand to dispatch from six yards out on 65 minutes.

Scottish Premier League

Jonny Hayes (Inverness CT 2-3 Hibernian)

Former U21 striker Jonny Hayes pulled Caley back level with six minutes remaining but saw his side concede side seconds later in their 3-2 defeat to Hibs, who are now six points clear of bottom club Dunfermline.

Jon Daly (Dundee Utd 3-0 Dunfermline)

With his 19th and 20th goals of the season, Dubliner Jon Daly secured three points for the Tangerines, who move ahead of St Johnstone into fourth spot in the SPL.

Manager Peter Houston said afterwards: “Jon has been unbelievable. When David Goodwillie left in the summer, I wondered who would score the goals for us.

“Well that’s Jon now top scorer in the SPL above Gary Hooper and he’s shown his class. Jon deserves so much credit. He works hard and scores goals – his first was quality.”

Here are Daly’s goals (1:27 and 3:28):

YouTube credit: behindthegoals2