The Irish continue to wield their influence Down Under as familiar faces impress

WE’RE ONLY FIVE games into the A-League season in Australia but Corkman Roy O’Donovan continues to light up the league with his performances for Newcastle Jets.

The former League of Ireland attacker only joined the club earlier this year but has hit the ground running.

Just last month he grabbed a magnificent first-half hat-trick against his former club Central Coast Mariners and, on Saturday, he popped up with another brace – this time against Wellington Phoenix, to bring his tally to seven in matches.

One of the craziest goals you will see in the Hyundai #ALeague.

🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/KkUghlqFLG

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) November 4, 2017

The 32-year-old, who cut his teeth at Cork City, also had a hand in the Jets’ third goal: his nonchalant flick setting up a cross from which Andrew Nabbout found the net.

It means that Newcastle are third in the standings, two points behind leaders Sydney FC.

O’Donovan wasn’t the only Irish player to wield significant influence on Matchday Five.

In front of an 11,000-strong crowd in Perth, captain Andy Keogh proved the game-winner for the home side, powering home a header with just 10 minutes to go in the Glory’s clash with Adelaide United.

It was a second of the season for the 31-year-old, who racked up 30 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2007 and 2012.

The moment Keogh sealed it.
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL #PERvADL #CreateDestiny pic.twitter.com/rcKGqSlzVr

— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) November 4, 2017

The three points were badly needed by Perth, who’ve had a mixed start to the season. But the win leaves them in fourth, four points back from O’Donovan’s Newcastle.

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