So, another packed day of football action in the upper echelons of English and Scottish football has drawn to a close, and here's your round up of how Irish players fared up and down the divisions.
Joe Mason
It wasn't going particularly well for Irish Under-21 international Joe Mason for Wolves against Birmingham today, by all accounts-at least until the 47th minute, when he kick-started his side's comeback to claim a sweet-tasting derby win. Mason has yet to earn a call-up for Martin O'Neill's senior side, but if he keeps producing finishes like the one below, he'll put himself in the reckoning.
Shane Duffy
Was suspended, thankfully. It didn't stop Blackburn fans from ragging on him.
Burton Albion will struggle without their top scorer Shane Duffy today as his suspended for their game against Blackburn. #bafc
— Andy Margett (@AndyMargett) August 20, 2016
Paul McShane
We're shite at defending but I do love Paul McShane
— Hendo (@JoeHenderson__) August 20, 2016
Paul McShane isn't known for his goalscoring ability, but the flame-haired cult hero (of pretty much any club he plays for, it seems) managed to display his rarely-witnessed clinical side in front of goal to help his Reading side to a crucial draw against Brighton.
And, by all accounts, his goal appears to have been rather special.
Had the pleasure of watching Paul McShane score an absolute worldy today. Tears in my eyes.
— George (@George_Stone97) August 20, 2016
Anthony Pilkington
When Pilkington was playing for Norwich, his call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's squad was heralded amongst Ireland fans as a significant moment in the progression of the side, the introduction of a player who could really make a difference as the Irish team made a push to try and qualify for the World Cup. Unfortunately, injury has prevented him from fulfilling his potential for his country like his once-clubmate Wes Hoolahan has gone on to. But today he showed the kind of skill that impressed 'Il Trap', with a screamer for Cardiff in their draw with Fulham.
Elsewhere, Graham Carey had a cracker of a game today for Plymouth Argyle against Mansfield, bagging a fantastic brace and prompting superlatives from Pilgrims fans. Carey already looks in the form to overtake his tally of 11 goals last season in League Two. Conor Sammon had a dream display as Hearts thrashed Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with two assists and a goal, while in the same parish former Man City prospect Willo Flood bagged a goal and an assist for Dundee United as they easily beat Ayr in the Championship.
Conor Sammon laying the smackdown on his critics with 2 assists and a goal as well. Total team player, really happy for him.
— Robert Borthwick (@RFBorthwick) August 20, 2016
Returning to England, and Trap golden boy Simon Cox (remember him?) swept home a penalty for Southend as they drew at home with Bristol Rovers, and also in League One Shaun Williams got amongst the goals for Millwall in a tight win over Sheffield United at The Den while Jay O'Shea's early goal for Chesterfield wasn't enough to stop them falling to a defeat away to Shrewsbury Town.
But, in perhaps our most important news of the day, today is the 31st birthday of one of our favourite Irish stalwarts, Stephen Ward. Ward, who reinvented his career in the latter part of last season after it looked to be on a downward trajectory, was a key reason Burnley kept a clean sheet against Liverpool today, and seems to be continuing his form on from the European Championships, where he was nothing short of heroic at times for the Republic of Ireland in a memorable campaign.
Here's Ward scoring a goal against Belarus in that game that had us all very worried on the eve of the tournament in France, showing the instincts he no doubt developed earlier in his career, when he operated as a striker.
A very happy birthday to Ireland international defender Stephen Ward! #COYBIGhttps://t.co/ufxiJaMm9o
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) August 20, 2016
h/t to the Irish Abroad Twitter account for the many updates-you can follow them here.
