Irish Abroad, 17th/18th of August

It was an encouraging weekend for the Irish contingent in England, with plenty of full internationals and fringe players seeing significant game-time, despite even the more modest EPL clubs making substantial outlays on new recruits this summer. The most pleasant surprise was Kieren Westwood starting in goal for Sunderland, beating competition from new signing Vito Mannone. Given David Forde's injury, Ireland were at risk of going into the Sweden and Austria games with an undercooked or inexperienced goalkeeper, so it is encouraging to see Westwood finally getting some competitive action. John O'Shea also retained his place at centre-back. Seamus Coleman capped a good performance with a goal in Everton's 2-2 draw with Norwich - Wes Hoolahan started for the Canaries, in his usual playmaker role. Ciaran Clark came on as an early substitute during Villa's shock win at Arsenal, while Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson both started in midfield for Stoke in their defeat at Liverpool. Jon Walters missed a late penalty for the Potters. Shane Long started alongside new signing Nicolas Anelka for WBA, Robbie Brady and David Meyler started for Hull at Chelsea, while Damien Delaney and Owen Garvan started Crystal Palace's defeat at home to Spurs. Darron Gibson, Stephen Quinn and Anthony Pilkington remain injured.

In the East, Aiden McGeady missed Spartak Moscow's game against Rubin Kazan with an injury, while Darren O'Dea was left out by Metalurg Donetsk for their defeat to Illichivets. He has missed their last two games, and doesn't appear to be injured, as he turned out for Ireland in midweek, so t it would appear that the centre-back finds himself worryingly out of favour. Across the pond, Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick as LA Galaxy beat Real Salt Lake. Cillian Sheridan started APOEL's win over Apollon Limassol in Cyprus; Liam Lawrence continues to find himself out of the PAOK squad, despite making 35 appearances last season for the Greek outfit.

In the Championship, a remarkably svelte Andy Reid scored for Forest against Bolton in their 3-0 win, while Keith Treacy scored for Burnley against. promoted Yeovil. Richard Dunne started his first league game for over a year, as QPR beat Mick McCarthy's Ipswich. Stephen Ward completed his loan move to Brighton, where he will play alongside fellow Irish loanee Keith Andrews.

Maith an buachaillí: Westwood possibly turning a corner in his career, Coleman scoring, Garvan finally getting a chance to play in the big leagues. Starting places for twelve Irishmen in the EPL.


Go h-uafásach: Walters' missed penalty at Anfield. His penalty style has never wavered since assuming the spot-kick duties for Stoke - he has invariably gone bottom-left, even for Ireland against Austria. However, it seems that goalkeepers have cottoned on to this, and he will have to start varying his routine.