After a successful international break, our lads were back in action for their clubs over the weekend. There were a number of strong performances, with Jeff Hendrick and Derrick Williams netting absolute screamers, while James Collins kept his impressive run of goalscoring form going.
Here's the ratings in full.
Irish Player Ratings
John Egan, Enda Stevens, and David McGoldrick all started for Sheffield United as they fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton. It was not a good afternoon for The Blades, who probably should have come away with at least a point.
Callum Robinson came on for the last five minutes as he recovered from a tight hamstring. Shane Long came off the bench in injury time for Southampton.
Jeff Hendrick came off the bench to score an incredible last minute equaliser to rescue a draw for Burnley at Brighton.
This is exactly the type of thing we need to see more of from Hendrick in an Ireland jersey, and he was given a 7/10 from Lancs Live despite only being on the pitch for 30 minutes.
Shane Duffy came back into the Brighton team having been dropped for the Manchester City game, he was rated at 6/10 by the Brighton & Hove Albion.
After a couple of strong performances with the Ireland U21 team, Aaron Connolly continued his rise to senior football with another Premier League appearance off the bench.
Matt Doherty was not considered fit enough to start Wolves' clash with Chelsea, although he did come on for the final 35 minutes. He did ok despite the 5-2 scoreline, getting 6/10 from the Express & Star.
He didn't feature in the shock win, but Adam Idah made Norwich's match day squad for the first time in the Premier League against Manchester City.
Seamus Coleman captained Everton in the disappointing loss to Bournemouth. He was tasked with the job of marshalling Josh King and did ok despite the defeat, getting a 6/10 from the Liverpool Echo.
In the Championship, Richard Keogh captained Derby in their 1-1 draw with Cardiff. It was a mixed showing with Keogh conceding the penalty that resulted in Cardiff's equaliser, but looking otherwise strong defensively in a 6/10 showing according to the Derby Telegraph.
Ryan Manning continued on his role at left back from QPR, starring in the 3-2 win over Luton Town. He was given an 8/10 by West London Sport for his performance, who mentioned his threat going forward.
After a goal on his international debut against Bulgaria, James Collins continued his strong form in that one by netting his fourth Championship goal of the season.
🔥 Shinnie with the assist for the assist? Think we've seen that once or twice before... #COYH pic.twitter.com/vepQU93kzp
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) September 16, 2019
He got a 7/10 from Luton Today, with Collins continuing what has been a fantastic season thus far. Could he not be ahead of Scott Hogan for the backup striker role?
📈 JAMES COLLINS' SEASON SO FAR:
💯 Appearances reached for the Hatters
🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland debut
5⃣ Goals for club and country
4⃣ Successive games scored in
1⃣3⃣ Defensive clearances
2⃣0⃣ Goals in 2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣ so far (including his goal for @FAIreland)#COYH pic.twitter.com/JvQwTnZh3Y— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) September 16, 2019
Darren Randolph was in fantastic form for Middlesbrough in their 1-0 win over Reading, making a few huge saved to secure the three points and earning a 8/10 rating from the Teeside Gazette.
Derrick Williams scored an absolute stunner in Blackburn's win over Millwall, which earned him a spot in the Championship team of the week alongside Darren Randolph.
Derrick Williams what a hit #Rovers pic.twitter.com/uPSempI8LR
— Finlay Dahl McKennasson 🌶 🇩🇰 (@FMcKennaBRFC) September 14, 2019
Darragh Lenihan and Greg Cunningham were also in fine form, each grabbing an assists. Williams and Lenihan were rated at 8/10 by Lancs Live, while Cunningham was given a 7/10.
After two terrific showing in a captaining Stephen Kenny's U21 side, Jayson Molumby started for Millwall in that one.
James McClean started for Stoke in their 2-1 defeat at home to Bristol City, getting a 6/10 from the Stoke Sentinel. Scott Hogan made a 15 minute cameo off the bench.
Having missed the recent international games due to an eye injury, Sean Maguire scored upon his return to the Preston team in their 2-0 win against Brentford. It was a well taken finish, with the Kilkenny man earning man-of-the-match honours in an 8/10 showing from the Lancashire Evening Post.
Here's that @Seani_Maguire_ goal today for Preston! ⚽️🇮🇪🔥#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/5CIqfk8Jdm
— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) September 14, 2019
Alan Browne also impressed in that game, captaining the team 'with maturity' and getting a mark of 7/10.
Fresh from a strong performance in his senior international debut, Josh Cullen started Charlton's to 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City. He put in a decent performance despite the result earning a 7/10 from News Shopper.
Keiren Westwood made a couple of big saves in Sheffield Wednesday's 2-0 win at Huddersfield, getting a 7/10 from The Star.
