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
Jon Walters (Stoke 0-4 Chelsea) What’s worse than scoring an own goal? Scoring two own goals and missing a penalty has to be pretty high up on the list.
Walters had a nightmare afternoon against Chelsea on Saturday as Stoke lost at home for the first time this season. The Republic of Ireland striker opened the scoring when he turned a spectacular diving header past Asmir Begovic on the stroke of half-time and then doubled his unenviable tally when he headed in Juan Mata’s corner.
Desperate to make amends, Walters grabbed the ball for a last-minute penalty — but blasted it over the bar.
James McClean (Sunderland 3-0 West Ham) McClean got on the scoresheet for the first time in seven Premier League games when he turned in Stéphane Sessegnon’s mis-hit shot from close range, sealing Sunderland’s win.
Enda Stevens (Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton) Through little fault of his own, Stevens found himself at the heart of the only major talking point to come out of Southampton’s drab 1-0 win at Villa Park. The former Shamrock Rovers man was the closest in attendance when Jay Rodriguez flopped to the ground in the box, “earning” the penalty that decided the game.
YouTube Credit: RedsXxHD
Npower Championship
Andy Keogh and Keith Andrews (Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Millwall) We’re not sure where Giovanni Trapattoni stands on the panenka so while Keogh’s beautifully dinked spotter against Bolton left Irish football fans everyone stunned and slobbering, it may end up doing his international prospects more harm than good in the long run. Not to be outdone Keith Andrews equalised from the spot, his fourth goal of the season.
Jeff Hendrick (Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Derby County) Derby’s Jeff Hendrick continued his flying start to the new year when he scored for the third successive game in Derby’s defeat to Brighton. The Dubliner got a touch on Jamie Ward’s free-kick to give the Rams a lifeline with 20 minutes to play.
League One
Harry Arter (Bournemouth 1-1 Swindon Town) Arter scored his fifth of the season with a 20-yarder against Paolo di Canio’s Swindon but it was only enough to give the hosts a draw.
Paddy Madden (Sheffield United 0-2 Yeovil Town) Paddy Madden scored a second-half double to give Yeovil a 2-0 win away to Sheffield United on Saturday while another familiar League of Ireland face, ex-Shels man Kevin Dawson, made his debut for the visitors.
Irish Eye: Walters' nightmare helps Chelsea storm Fortress Britannia
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
Jon Walters (Stoke 0-4 Chelsea) What’s worse than scoring an own goal? Scoring two own goals and missing a penalty has to be pretty high up on the list.
Walters had a nightmare afternoon against Chelsea on Saturday as Stoke lost at home for the first time this season. The Republic of Ireland striker opened the scoring when he turned a spectacular diving header past Asmir Begovic on the stroke of half-time and then doubled his unenviable tally when he headed in Juan Mata’s corner.
Desperate to make amends, Walters grabbed the ball for a last-minute penalty — but blasted it over the bar.
YouTube Credit
James McClean (Sunderland 3-0 West Ham) McClean got on the scoresheet for the first time in seven Premier League games when he turned in Stéphane Sessegnon’s mis-hit shot from close range, sealing Sunderland’s win.
Enda Stevens (Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton) Through little fault of his own, Stevens found himself at the heart of the only major talking point to come out of Southampton’s drab 1-0 win at Villa Park. The former Shamrock Rovers man was the closest in attendance when Jay Rodriguez flopped to the ground in the box, “earning” the penalty that decided the game.
YouTube Credit: RedsXxHD
Npower Championship
Andy Keogh and Keith Andrews (Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Millwall) We’re not sure where Giovanni Trapattoni stands on the panenka so while Keogh’s beautifully dinked spotter against Bolton left Irish football fans everyone stunned and slobbering, it may end up doing his international prospects more harm than good in the long run. Not to be outdone Keith Andrews equalised from the spot, his fourth goal of the season.
Jeff Hendrick (Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Derby County) Derby’s Jeff Hendrick continued his flying start to the new year when he scored for the third successive game in Derby’s defeat to Brighton. The Dubliner got a touch on Jamie Ward’s free-kick to give the Rams a lifeline with 20 minutes to play.
League One
Harry Arter (Bournemouth 1-1 Swindon Town) Arter scored his fifth of the season with a 20-yarder against Paolo di Canio’s Swindon but it was only enough to give the hosts a draw.
Paddy Madden (Sheffield United 0-2 Yeovil Town) Paddy Madden scored a second-half double to give Yeovil a 2-0 win away to Sheffield United on Saturday while another familiar League of Ireland face, ex-Shels man Kevin Dawson, made his debut for the visitors.
POLL: Should Shay Given make a return for Ireland’s World cup qualification campaign?
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Andy Keogh COYBIG Enda Stevens Harry Arter Irish Eye James McClean Jeff Hendrick Jon Walters Keith Andrews Kevin Dawson Paddy Madden