A seemingly rejuvenated Aiden McGeady returned to club action on Saturday after his impressive international exploits for the Republic of Ireland, while there were returns to favour for Cillian Sheridan and Liam Lawrence at APOEL Nicosia and PAOK Salonika in a relatively quiet weekend for the Irish dotted around the globe.
With both the men's and women's domestic leagues across Scandinavia now drawn to a close for 2013 and with Irish interest in the MLS end of year playoffs having ended, the schedule bears a distinctly quieter look as the calendar year nears its conclusion.
A calf injury kept Brisbane Roar's Liam Miller out of a second successive A League match and Under 19 cap Paul Mahony wasn't involved for in FC Torrevieja's 2-2 draw with Borriol, lending an even more scant look to the numbers of Exiles in action.
Former Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United midfielder Miller is close to a return however, and is likely to feature when Roar take on his former franchise Perth Glory next weekend.
Aiden McGeady, fresh from starting both of Ireland's friendly internationals last week, was named in Valeri Karpin's starting XI for Spartak Moscow's top of the table derby clash with rivals CSKA on Saturday afternoon.
Despite going into the international break by comprehensively beating title rivals Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak's defensive frailities were exposed by champions CSKA, Ivorian striker Seydou Doumbia capitalising on an error by Spartak keeper Artyom Rebrov to slot home early on.
McGeady, operating on the right in the first half before switching flanks in the second period, produced fleeting flashes of skill and invention but Spartak, with a half fit Yuri Movsisyan leading the line, struggled to break down CSKA in search of an equaliser.
In Greece, Liam Lawrence was handed his first start of the Greek Super League season in PAOK Salonika's 3-1 victory over Aris. The midfielder's only starts to date this term had been in PAOK's Champions League qualifer at home to Schalke and in their second leg of their Greek Cup win over Anagennisi.
Lawrence, who won 15 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2009 and 2011, played an hour and could have scored in the first half when he saw his close range effort saved brilliantly by Sokratis Douidis.
PAOK could have won a penalty shortly before half time when Lawrence looked to have been shoved in the back in the area, but the former Stoke City man was replaced on the hour, with the match scoreless. Shortly after, Aris took the lead against the run of play but three quick fire goals in reply saw second placed PAOK take all three points.
Cillian Sheridan came off the bench for the final twelve minutes on Saturday afternoon, but couldn't fire APOEL Nicosia to victory over Doxa in Cyprus' Division One.
Over the international break, Sheridan put himself back into contention under new manager Giorgos Donis by firing a brace in APOEL's behind closed doors friendly win over Olympiakos but it wasn't enough to earn him a starting place this weekend.
They Cypriot champions now sit sixth in the 14 team league, seven points off leaders Apollon. Sheridan has yet to score competitively for his new club.
There was cup final heartbreak for one Irish international this weekend, with Republic of Ireland women's international Diane Caldwell suffering defeat in the Norwegian Women's Cup final as her side Avaldsnes went down 1-0 to Toppserien champions Stabaek.
It wasn't a day to remember for Dubliner Caldwell, in any sense, as she was withdrawn on the hour mark after suffering suspected concussion. Luckily, after a CT scan, she was given the all clear but there was no good news from Oslo as Avaldsnes couldn't muster the equaliser to win a first ever trophy and cap their impressive first season in the top flight in style.
Exiles in Brief
- Barry Maguire helped FC Den Bosch to a 4-1 win over Jong Alax in Holland's Jupiler League. The victory takes them above the Ajax reserves and into 16th, six points clear of the drop zone.
- FC Union Berlin suffered another dent in their promotion aspirations on Saturday, losing 3-0 to fellow title chasers Kaiserslauten. Former Republic of Ireland Under 21 defender Patrick Kohlmann played 90 minutes at left back as Union suffered a second defeat in three matches.
- Selcuk Tidim played 86 minutes in Hansa Rostock reserves' 3-1 win over Malchower SV. They have now taken 16 points from 18 in Germany's Nord-Oberliga.
- Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty couldn't save Palermo from falling to a shock 2-1 defeat to Latina in Italy's Serie B on Sunday afternoon. The forward, who wasn't involved with Northern Ireland's friendly defeat to Turkey last week, was introduced as a 60th minute substitute.
- In Ukraine, Ireland defender Darren O'Dea was a late substitute in Metalurh Donetsk's 2-2 with Karpary Lyiv.
- One time Republic of Ireland Under 21 cap Billy Mehmet returned from injury as Dempo SC continued their indifferent form in India's I-League. Mehmet was a substitute as they lost 1-2 to Prayag United.
- Waitakere United player-manager Brian Shelley played 73 minutes as his side made it three wins from three with a 4-1 win over Wanderers in New Zealand's ASB Premiership. The former Drogheda United and Bohemians defender was appointed by Auckland club in the summer.
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