We're definitely going to win Euro 2016 if Saturday's Premier Leaguer action is anything to go by, as the majority of Irish players on show put in some cracking performances en route to achieving some good results.
Aside from Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy who's Everton side fell to James McClean's West Brom, and Harry Arter who started Bournemouth's loss against the might of a Walters and Whelan inspired Stoke, there was great success for many other boys in green.
John O'Shea
John O'shea man of the match...agree with the @btsport guys.... @ManUtd needed to win this...frustrating watching ?
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 13, 2016
The big Waterford man helped secure a vital win for Sunderland over his former club Manchester United.
He lead from the back, organised his team, his manager will be delighted with the shift he put in, and he had this to say to SAFC.couk after the match:
We scored two very good goals but we also created a lot of very good chances against a good Manchester United team, and we also limited them to very few so it was a good day.
Jon Walters
GOAL Bournemouth 0-2 Stoke (52 mins). Ibrahim Afellay ends a flowing counter with a smart finish after being teed up by Jon Walters #BOUSTK
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 13, 2016
51: Stoke grab a second. Good work from Jon Walters down the right wing results in a lay off for Afellay, who buries his effort.
— The Bournemouth Rock (@BournemouthRock) February 13, 2016
Big Jon was given the nod from the start against Bournemouth, and he provided an assist in a big 1-3 win for the away side.
"Good work down the right-wing from Jon Walters" should now just be copied by every reporter in every game he starts in order to save time later.
Glenn Whelan
Glenn Whelan to Jon Walters finished off by Ibrahim Afellay, the Barclays Premier League is the greatest
— cal (@KallumCane) February 13, 2016
Afellay!! What a hit. Created by SJW and Glen Whelan!
— Cro (@JakeCrocetta) February 13, 2016
And who got the assist to the assist?
The one and only Glenjamin Whelan. First name on the teamsheet for Stoke these days, he bossed it in midfield again. What a man.
James McClean
Great 3 points, enjoy your weekend baggies fans ?? #boingboing
— James McClean (@JamesMcC14) February 13, 2016
It's great to see McClean starting regularly for the baggies, as Tony Pulis has really gotten the best out of the Derry man.
He played just shy of an hour in a massive win over Everton.
Robbie Brady
Holy shit what a goal from Robbie Brady! He dispossessed the opponent, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled an absolute peach in off the crossbar.
..Darren Randolph would have saved it though.
Wes Hoolahan
Lionel Wessi kicked off the scoring for Norwich City with a well controlled close-range finish. He was also involved in the build-up for what was a lovely team goal by Norwich.
Hoolahan bagged the second goal to put his side 2-0 up, although they will have been disappointed to end up with a 2-2 draw.
Shane Long
Shane Long did Shane Long things and it won the match for Southampton against Swansea.
A close range header was the only goal in a 1-0 win, but really, if you leave Shane Long in that much space in the box you deserve to lose. Schoolboy stuff.
All in all a big day for Irish players in the Premier League, hopefully we get a few more days like this in the coming weeks and months as we gear up for Euro 2016.
