After a busy midweek of action that saw Evan Ferguson return to the scoresheet – twice, for Roma – there was hope that the momentum would carry into the weekend. With Troy Parrott without a fixture and Ferguson not in action again until Monday, the spotlight shifted to the rest of the Irish contingent. Encouragingly, several players were more than willing to step into it – and a few did so with real authority.
In the Premier League, it was a difficult weekend from an Irish perspective, with no victories for teams featuring Irish players. There was, however, a bright note in defeat for Josh Cullen, who completed another 90 minutes for Burnley in their 3-2 loss to Fulham on Saturday and supplied a superb through ball for Burnley’s opening goal. Despite operating within a struggling side, Cullen continues to look increasingly at home at Premier League level.
Also on Saturday, Jake O’Brien played the full match for Everton in their 2-0 defeat away to Chelsea. Stamford Bridge was always likely to be a stern test, and while the result went against them, O’Brien and Everton can take some encouragement from aspects of the performance. Séamus Coleman remains sidelined through injury.
On Saturday night, Matt Doherty made his first Wolves start since October 29th, lining out at wing back in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. In what was a defensive Wolves set-up, Doherty delivered a solid display before being withdrawn in the 70th minute, marking a positive return following wrist surgery.
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On Sunday, Nathan Collins and Caoimhín Kelleher completed 90 minutes for Brentford in their 1-1 draw with Leeds, a result that felt slightly disappointing given the Bees’ recent form and performance levels.
The standout moment of the weekend, however, came in Scotland on Sunday afternoon, as Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu helped St Mirren shock Celtic to claim the Scottish League Cup with a 3-1 victory at Hampden Park. It was a huge milestone in the careers of both young Irishmen, each lifting the first senior trophy of their careers. Phillips played the full 90 minutes, while Idowu was an unused substitute on the day.
Inevitably, it meant disappointment for Celtic’s Irish contingent, with Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny on the losing side.
While Ferguson is not in action until Monday night, there was still Irish representation in Serie A over the weekend. On Friday evening, Corey Ndaba made his first start for Lecce, completing 74 minutes at left back in a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Pisa. It was an encouraging full debut from Ndaba, who handled the occasion well and will hope it marks the first of many starts at Italy’s top level.
In the Championship, Aidomo Emakhu scored his first goal of the season for Millwall in their 2-1 defeat to Hull City. It was a fine finish from the winger, who has been quietly impressive throughout the campaign and was beginning to look due a goal. Emakhu made his impact from the bench, even if the Tigers ultimately took the points.
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Ryan Manning was also on the scoresheet in the Championship, firing in a superb strike for Southampton in their 2-1 loss to Norwich City. It proved a frustrating afternoon for Manning, Finn Azaz and Gavin Bazunu, all of whom started for the Saints.
There were further Irish highlights across the EFL on Saturday with late drama in League One as former Ireland under-21 international Joel Bagan struck a 99th-minute winner for Brian Barry-Murphy’s Cardiff City in a remarkable 4-3 victory over Doncaster, a result that kept the Bluebirds winning and firmly at the summit of the table.
Jack Moylan starred for Lincoln City, scoring a spectacular goal and setting up another in a 2-2 draw with Blackpool, with CJ Hamilton providing the assist for Blackpool’s equaliser. Ollie O’Neill was on the scoresheet for Leyton Orient as they fell 3-2 to Conor Hourihane’s Barnsley after being teed up by Jack Moorhouse.
Aaron Drinan continued his prolific form in League Two, scoring again to take his tally to 11 for the season and maintain his position as the division’s top scorer. His afternoon was not without controversy, however, as he was sent off in the second half, though his side still went on to claim a 3-0 victory.
There were also Irish players making an impression outside England over the weekend. On Saturday, Oisín McEntee registered an assist for Hearts in their 2-0 victory over Falkirk, as they extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points.
Further afield, Armstrong Oko-Flex continued his strong form in Bulgaria, scoring again for Botev Plovdiv as they progressed to the next round of the Bulgarian Cup. The goal took his tally to seven for the season, along with two assists.
Player and Goal of the Week: Jack Moylan (Lincoln City)
The player and goal of the week belong to Jack Moylan, who continues to hit form at just the right time for Lincoln City. The former Shelbourne man capped an outstanding display with a goal and an assist, the highlight being a superb strike with his weaker left foot – cutting in from the byline before rifling the ball into the far top corner.
Having only recently returned from injury, Moylan has wasted little time reasserting his influence and is increasingly viewed as Lincoln’s key attacking figure. With the Imps firmly in the League One promotion hunt, his form could prove decisive as they push for automatic promotion to the Championship.
Stat of the Week: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), 99th-minute winner, first EFL goal since the 21/22 season
Joel Bagan’s dramatic 99th-minute winner in Cardiff City’s 4-3 victory over Doncaster on Saturday was his first league goal for the club since the 2021-22 season. A memorable moment for the academy graduate, the strike helped maintain Cardiff’s position at the top of League One and capped another impressive display in a season that continues to strengthen his case under Brian Barry-Murphy – and perhaps beyond it at international level.
