Analysing The Irish Interest In The Championship Promotion Race

The last few gameweeks of the Championship season are always a frenetic affair as players and teams give their all to secure a place in the Premier League next season, while others fight for their lives at the bottom in hope of avoiding relegation to League One.

In recent years, The Championship has been the proving ground for many Irish internationals, and for Martin O'Neill's provisional squad before our most recent qualifier against Poland, 10 of the 28 players named were Championship players, so naturally it's a competition we have to keep a close eye on.

With the season reaching it's conclusion, we take a look at each club with a shot at playing Premier League football next season, and they Irish players currently in their squad.

Watford

With matches against Brignton & Hove Albion and Sheffield Wednesday to come, Watford look a good bet for an automatic promotion to the Premier League. Watford currently have four Irish players in their squad, none of which have been capped at full international level.

Sean Murray is a name that many will be familiar with as the U21 international enjoyed a successful initial breakthrough into the first team at Watford, culminating in him being voted the club's young player of the year in 2012. Murray made 39 appearances in 2013/14, but injuries and competition for places have resulted in just nine matches played this campaign.

Centre back Tommie Hoban on the other hand has featured 27 times this season, so he would understandably looking for a chance were the side to climb a division to the top flight, unlike Murray who would need to remain patient. They are the two names to keep an eye on were Watford to go up, Rene Gilmartin and Connor Smith don't feature regularly enough to have a prospect of Premier League football next year.

Bournemouth

Bolton and Chartlon are the two clubs that stand between Bournemouth and their first ever appearance in the Premier League, and the two Irish players in their squad have very different prospects regarding their future in international football. If The Cherries were to take a place amongst the elite of English football, then Harry Arter would surely feature regularly.

The man who was called up to his first Irish senior squad under Martin O'Neill last month has been a key player for Bournemouth, and if he was to continue a similar role in the Premier League next season then that would be an excellent chance to see him compete against top level opponents.

Eunan O'Kane is another Bournemouth midfielder who Martin O'Neill is sure to be taking a closer look at. The crafty midfielder has been a possibility for a while now and although it seems Arter has overtaken him, at 24, he still has time on his side.

Ian Harte, on the other hand, has played his last international match for Ireland, and although a return to the Premier League would be a story line so good that it deserves it's own film, we can't see it happening for the former Leeds and Levante legend.

Middlesbrough

The only potential Irish interest at Middlesbrough is on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford. Boro will have a lot to thank Bamford for if they do indeed secure promotion, and the man who this week was named Championship Player Of The Year has refused to rule out playing for Ireland again in the future, after he switched allegiance to England at U18 level having played once for the Irish team at the same age group. Worth keeping an eye on for sure.

Norwich City

The only Irish interest at Norwich City is Wes Hoolahan, although that is a pretty significant interest, as Irish football is obsessed with Wezzo. Recently voted into the Championship team of the decade, Hoolahan is clearly a major part of Martin O'Neill's plans for the Irish team, and while obviously playing Premier League football will be great for him, the last time Norwich were in the top flight their manager didn't fancy the former Shels man, and were that to happen again it could be detrimental to his performances in the green of Ireland.

Still, you'd have to think that after proving both his loyalty and ability with Norwich this season, he would be due another crack at the Premier League were The Canaries to achieve their goal.

Derby County

Richard Keogh, Cyrus Christie, and Jeff Hendrick are the Irish contingent at Derby County, and it would be very positive for the Irish squad if all three were playing Premier League football next season. Were Derby to go up, Keogh as club vice-captain would surely be a starter, along with Christie who has had a fantastic season resulting in his international debut against the USA in November 2014.

Hendrick would no doubt face competition for a starting place, but he would most likely be given a chance to prove himself at that level, which could be the making of him. Considering the needs for Ireland at their respective positions, it would be a massive boost for Ireland if these three were in England's top flight next season.

Ipswich Town

With 24 league goals this season, Daryl Murphy is having an amazing season and has been a major factor in Ipswich's position in the playoff places. Mick McCarthy's men will have to make it the hard way, but if they do gain promotion you would have to imagine that Murphy would be a starting Premier League striker next season, which is something we could really use in the international setup.

David McGoldrick is another who made his debut against the USA, and he would also be guaranteed a chance to prove himself after a string of excellent performances, the majority of which have been playing off of Murphy. Seeing an attacking partnership of two Irish internationals in the Premier League would be fantastic, and it means Ipswich are a team that all Irish fans should be willing to victory in the Playoffs.

Brentford

Were Brentford to find themselves playing Premier League football next season, then there is a chance that we could get to see a number of Irish players who have yet to make senior international appearance show what they can do against elite opposition. Kevin O'Connor, Alan McCormack, Jack Bonham, and Alan Judge all feature regularly for Brentford, who likely wouldn't be able to replace them with big name signings if they were to go up.

There's also Jonathan Douglas, but... No. As O'Connor and McCormack are both in their 30s, Alan Judge would be the most likely to see an international cap in the near future, and an opportunity in the Premier League would surely help.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Another young Irish right-back with bags of potential is Matt Doherty, who has featured regularly for Wolves this campaign. While a Wolves promotion would no doubt be good for the former Bohs man, another season in the Championship to cement his place in the side wouldn't be a disaster, and if he plays well enough he need only look to Cyrus Christie to see that he can be given a chance.

In summary, come on Derby, Ipswich and Bournemouth!

See also: Wes Hoolahan May Not Be The Future Of Ireland’s Attack, But Here’s 6 Players Who Could Be