With a break in the Premier League action over the weekend, our attention was turned firmly in the direction of the FA Cup and The Championship.
We saw a number of promising performances form out internationals, with Seamus Coleman putting in his best performance of the season. It was Matt Doherty and Alan Browne who stood out from the crowd, however, and both players look like being key players under Mick McCarthy over the coming months.
Take a look at our recap in full:
Irish Player Ratings
Matt Doherty scored a late equaliser to save Wolves' blushes at Shrewsbury Town, securing an FA Cup replay. The Express & Star gave him an 8/10 for his display, saying that 'Mr Dependable was Wolves' best player on the pitch'.
Ciaran Clark played the full 90 minutes in Newcastle's dire 2-0 loss at home to Watford, with the Newcastle Chronicle rating his his performance at 5/10.
Brighton had a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Championship club West Brom, but Shane Duffy was his 'usual solid self' at the back, being given a 7/10 by the Brighton & Hove Independent.
It was a game to forget for Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long, all of whom started Burnley's 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City. Long had a particularly bad day at the office, giving away a penalty and scoring an OG on a disastrous afternoon.
Seamus Coleman captained Everton in their 3-2 loss at Millwall, as further pressure was mounted on manager Marco Silva. The Liverpool Echo rated him at 6/10, but were delighted with what they saw from the right back:
Beat his man for the first time in what seems like ages during the first-half. The best showing of the season from the skipper who created several openings and continued to get forward throughout.
Shaun Williams and Aiden O'Brien both started that game for the home side, with Football.London rating each of them at 8/10 on a fantastic day for Millwall.
Callum O'Dowda continued his excellent recent form, scoring an absolute belter of a goal for Bristol City in their 2-1 FA Cup victory at home to Bolton. The Bristol Post gave him a 9/10 for yet another strong display.
Middlesbrough produced one of the most disappointing cup displays of the weekend, drawing 1-1 at home to League Two side Newport County. Darren Randolph started that game, with the Teeside Gazette rating his performance at 7/10.
Ronan Curtis played the full 90 minutes for Portsmouth in their 1-1 draw with Championship side QPR, with the Portsmouth News giving him a 7/10. After a lightning fast start to life in English football, Curtis has found the going much tougher in recent months.
In the Championship, Richie Towell registered an assist for Rotherham in their disappointing late loss to table toppers Leeds United.
Alan Browne notched his tenth Championship goal of the season in Preston's 2-0 victory at Stoke, continuing what has been a real breakout campaign. The Lancashire Evening Post named him as man of the match, giving him an 8/10.
Browne is starting to look like a potentially key player for Ireland, providing the creativity and goal scoring ability in midfield that has been sorely lacking in recent times. Sean Maguire also started for Preston in that game, registering an assist in an encouraging 8/10 performance.
James McClean only made a substitute appearance for Stoke, and has largely fallen out of favour since the appointment of Nathan Jones as manager.
Conor Hourihane continued his strong recent form in Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, delivering a wonderful assist for Tammy Abraham's opener. The Birmingham Mail gave him a 6.5/10, mentioning his work rate in the middle third.
Alan Judge played the full 90 minutes for the visitors, with the East Anglian Daily Times rating him at 6/10.
Blackburn continued their recent run of good form with a 3-0 win at home to Hull. Darragh Lenihan played the entire game, and was given a 7/10 by the Lancashire Telegraph for a solid afternoon's work.
John Egan and Enda Stevens both started Sheffield United's impressive 2-2 raw at Norwich City, with both players putting in a strong display. Egan was especially eye-catching, with The Star having this to say about his game in the centre of defence:
Colossal. Didn't have the easiest of times in the first half in my view, but in the second he was exceptional, dealing well with every threat thrown at him. Went close at the other end a couple of times, too, but couldn't get his goal (8/10).
Stevens also played very well, winning a penalty for his side and working tirelessly throughout the game to earn a 7/10 rating.
