After a mixed bag of an international break – some positives, some frustrations, but qualification still within reach – it was back to the bread and butter of club football for the Ireland players, with some good news to report.
Starting with Troy Parrott, who made his first start since August 21st and did exactly what he does best. The Dubliner played a huge role in AZ Alkmaar’s 2–0 win away to Ajax, confidently converting a penalty after heavily influencing the opening goal. It was an all-round impressive display from the forward, who picked up right where he left off before injury and continues to show real maturity in his game.
For Evan Ferguson, it was a quieter weekend. The striker was limited to 10 minutes off the bench in Roma’s 1–0 defeat to Inter Milan, with Gian Piero Gasperini opting to start without a recognised striker. Given Ferguson’s heavy international workload, the reduced minutes were understandable. Still, in his brief cameo, he looked sharp and energetic.
Festy Ebosele, one of Ireland’s brightest sparks during the break, continued his good form. The speedster came on at half-time for Istanbul Başakşehir in their 2–1 defeat to Galatasaray and delivered another lively display. He completed four successful dribbles and won four tackles, again showing the directness and energy that caught the eye in a green jersey.
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Elsewhere on the Continent, Andrew Omobamidele continued his steady return to full fitness. The defender featured for 25 minutes in Strasbourg’s thrilling 3–3 draw away to PSG, as manager Liam Rosenior carefully manages his recovery. Strasbourg’s strong start sees them sitting third in Ligue 1, just two points off top spot. As Omobamidele’s fitness builds, a recall to the Ireland set-up feels increasingly likely.
It was a relatively quiet weekend for Irish involvement in the Premier League, with Caoimhín Kelleher and Nathan Collins set to return to action on Monday night as Brentford travel across London to take on West Ham.
Matt Doherty returned for Wolves, playing 67 minutes in a 2-0 defeat away to Sunderland. Jake O’Brien completed another full 90 minutes in Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, where Séamus Coleman was an unused sub. The standout performance came from Josh Cullen, who delivered a superb midfield display as Burnley beat Leeds United 2–0 at Turf Moor.
There was plenty to celebrate in the EFL. On Friday night, Dara O’Shea scored for Ipswich Town in their 2–1 defeat to Middlesbrough. On Saturday, Mikey Johnston produced a moment of brilliance, curling a stunning strike from outside the box into the top corner as West Brom edged Preston 2–1 at The Hawthorns. Elsewhere, Mark Sykes made an instant impact for Bristol City, coming off the bench to score the winner in their victory away to Norwich.
In League Two, veteran forward Paddy Madden rolled back the years, scoring a hat-trick and assisting the other in Accrington Stanley’s emphatic 4–0 win over Swindon Town. North of the border, Jamie McGrath was on target again as Hibernian cruised to a 4–0 win over Livingston.
Across the Atlantic, Andrew Moran capped off the weekend with another Irish goal. The Brighton loanee scored a dramatic late equaliser for LAFC in their final regular-season game against the Colorado Rapids.
Coming off the bench, Moran showed his quick feet in the build-up before reacting sharply to bury the rebound – his first goal for the club. His strike came at the expense of another Irishman as Connor Ronan’s Rapids fell just short of a playoff place. Moran’s goal meant Colorado missed out on the postseason on goal difference.
Player of the Week: Paddy Madden (Accrington Stanley)
Madden turned in a a vintage display for Accrington Stanley, scoring three goals and creating the other in his team’s 4-0 win over Swindon Town. At 35, and without a goal this season before this weekend, he produced a perfect performance. Clinical, creative, and relentless throughout, it was proof there’s still plenty of life left in the seasoned striker yet.
Goal of the Week: Mikey Johnston (West Brom)
Johnston produced a moment of pure magic for West Brom, cutting in from the left wing with his trademark move before curling a stunning strike into the far top corner. Defenders never seem to learn – give him half a yard on that right foot and he’ll punish you. It was a goal full of class and confidence from the winger, who Irish fans will hope can replicate that brilliance in green come November.
Stat of the Week: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) eight goals in nine games for AZ this season
Parrott’s numbers this season are nothing short of outstanding. His goal against Ajax brought him to eight goals in nine club appearances, including four in four Eredivisie games. You can only wonder how much more impressive his tally might have been if he had not missed time through injury.
