With just a few days to go until Heimir Hallgrímsson names what could be his final Ireland squad on Thursday, the weekend’s action gave plenty of players a chance to make their case – or, for a few, remind us why they’ve been such a source of frustration.
As Ireland prepare for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary, it was another important round of club games. Some players certainly put their hands up with strong performances, while others missed another opportunity to impress before a crucial international window.
Much attention has focused on the fitness and form of Ireland’s two key men up front, but it’s been a tough week for Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott.
Ferguson missed Roma’s game on Sunday after starting in midweek against Parma. The excitement around his inclusion quickly turned sour as, after just 18 seconds, he went down under a reckless challenge and appeared to twist his ankle badly. Thankfully, the news isn’t as bad as first feared as he’s only been ruled out for two weeks, but it still means he’s likely to miss the upcoming international break.
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Parrott was looking to bounce back from last week’s missed penalty for AZ Alkmaar and he had the perfect chance to do so, only to fail to convert from the spot for the second game in a row. His team-mates still got the job done, beating Sparta Rotterdam 1-0, but Parrott will no doubt be frustrated with himself after another miss from 12 yards.
In more positive news, it looked as though Martin O’Neill had stolen all the headlines at Celtic Park with his shock return as interim manager, but Johnny Kenny made sure he shared the spotlight.
The Sligo striker bagged a first-half brace midweek against Falkirk in a 4-0 win, and followed it up by scoring the opener in Celtic’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Liam Scales played all 120 minutes of Sunday’s game.
There was good news for a former Celtic striker as Adam Idah found the net for Swansea City away to Charlton Athletic in the Championship on Saturday. It was a stunning strike, smashed into the bottom corner from outside the box, and one that should give him a huge boost of confidence after what’s been a tricky start to life with the Welsh club.
Also in that game, Conor Coventry continued to impress, setting up Charlton’s goal. The midfielder is really making a case for himself to be included in the Ireland squad on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Mark Sykes was on the scoresheet for Bristol City, though his side were well beaten 5-1 by Stoke. Sinclair Armstrong also played 78 minutes for City, and he’s another who’s putting together a strong case for inclusion in the upcoming squad.
It was another quiet week for the Irish in the Premier League, with only a handful of players seeing action on Saturday. It turned into a day to forget for Nathan Collins as Brentford fell 2-0 to Crystal Palace, with the defender unfortunately heading the ball into his own net, leaving Caoimhín Kelleher helpless. Elsewhere, Josh Cullen played 83 minutes for Burnley in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. As for the Irish contingent at Everton, they’ll be in action on Monday night against Sunderland.
Elsewhere, it was a good midweek for a number of Irish up-and-coming stars. Senan Mullen, on loan from Torino with Serie B side Mantova, made his debut, playing 63 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Catanzaro.
Aaron Ochoa Moloney scored his first senior goal for Málaga in their 3-1 win over Estepona in the Copa Del Rey. And back in England, Trent Kone-Doherty made his competitive home debut for Liverpool, coming on in the 85th minute in their League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace – a proud moment for the Derry teenager and another step in his promising rise.
Player of the Week: Johnny Kenny (Celtic)
Two goals midweek against Falkirk and another on Sunday against Rangers – you can’t ask for much more from your striker. Kenny is playing with confidence and hunger and most certainly knocking loudly on Hallgrímsson’s door for an Ireland call-up.
Goal of the Week: Adam Idah (Swansea City)
There will be a real sense of relief for Adam Idah after scoring his first goal from open play for Swansea City. It’s been a slow start for the Cork striker at the Welsh club, with his only previous goal coming from the penalty spot. But he made his first from open play count on Saturday – a brilliant touch and turn before smashing the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box to level things up against Charlton and earn his side a valuable point.
Stat of the Week: Jamie McGrath (Hibs) and Graham Carey (Livingston)
From first whistle to last, the Irish were on the scoresheet. Jamie McGrath opened the weekend with a goal inside the first minute, and Graham Carey wrapped it up with a dramatic equaliser in the dying seconds for Livingston.
