Sheffield United have enjoyed a fantastic season in the Championship, being in the thick of the automatic promotion as the season enters its final furlong. They are a team that has been followed by Irish football fans, with four Irish internationals currently in the squad.
They faced Millwall today, taking the lead through Gary Madine early in the second half. With Millwall applying pressure late on, one of those Ireland players would make a telling contribution.
John Egan was scrambling back towards the line when a header from a the Millwall striker was goal bound. With the club in search of a vital three points, Egan stopped the ball the only way he could, pulling off a cracking save with his hand. He was given a red card, a decision he certainly couldn't argue with.
Considering what happened next, he was justified in doing it too.
😲🤚
Sheffield United defender John Egan pulls off a stunning save and is sent off for his troubles.
Guess what happened when Ben Marshall stepped up to take the penalty for Millwall...
More: https://t.co/gfLLNyjSYU pic.twitter.com/T1ZibhAdFJ— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 13, 2019
Unfortunately for Egan and his Sheffield United teammates, Millwall's one man advantage would tell late on when Jake Cooper came up with a 95th minute equaliser.
That could prove a costly goal for The Blades, with Leeds securing a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday this evening. Those pair of results leaves Leeds three points ahead of their Yorkshire rivals in the table, with four games to play.
Considering the strong Irish presence at the club, hopefully they can get over the line and reach the Premier League.
Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick have all enjoyed fantastic individual seasons, improving their international prospects as a result. Stevens and McGoldrick started both of the Euro 2020 qualifiers last month, while Egan is also in contention for a place in the first XI.
Scott Hogan also joined the club on loan in January, but has yet to nail down a starting place.
