Irish Abroad: John Egan

Following the recent announcement of Heimir Hallgrímsson's first squad of 2025, I noticed that the number of players born after the turn of the millennium in 2000 has risen to 12 - more than half of the 23 players named in the initial squad, with 2003-born Andrew Moran replacing 2000-born Will Smallbone in the build up to the play off against Bulgaria.

That got me thinking - how far are we from the first Irish starting XI populated exclusively with players born after Y2K had stopped being something the world was worried about - and what were the first teams named with players born after the first day of the last few decades?

Starting with the first game where every starting player was born in the 1960s, "the decade of culture and counter culture", (or later) it did not occur until 34 years after 1st January 1960, in a friendly in March 1994 against Russia. This is mainly due to players like David O'Leary(born May 1958), Kevin Moran(b. April 1956), and Paul McGrath(b. December 1959) who were squad mainstays right up until the mid-90's. On that day in 1994, the lineup was made up of Packie Bonner(May 1960), Ronnie Whelan Jnr(September 1961), Tony Cascarino(September 1962), Liam O'Brien(September 1964), Eddie McGoldrick(April 1965), David Kelly(November 1965), Alan McLoughlin(April 1967), Brian Carey(May 1968), Phil Babb(November 1970), Jason McAteer(June 1971), and Gary Kelly(July 1974) - with Babb, Kelly, and McAteer all making their debuts.

Moving on to players born in the 1970s, "the pivot of change", it only took four years to go from a team of sixties-born players to one with players born at least five and a half months after the first moon landing, when Jeff Kenna(August 1970), Kenny Cunningham(June 1971), Mark Kinsella(August 1972), Gary Breen(December 1973), Gary Kelly(July 1974), Lee Carsley(February 1974), Gareth Farrelly(August 1975), Shay Given(April 1976), David Connolly(June 1977), Alan Maybury(August 1978), and Damien Duff(March 1979) took to the pitch against the Czech Republic in March 1998. Duff, Kinsella, and Maybury were all making their international debuts, with Robbie Keane, Rory Delap, and Graham Kavanagh joining them as debutants from the bench.

More than ten years would pass before the first Ireland team of early millennials would take to the pitch, when Limerick's Thomond Park hosted a friendly against South Africa in September 2009. Giovanni Trapattoni named Keith Andrews(September 1980), Liam Lawrence(December 1981), Caleb Folan(October 1982), Stephen Kelly(September 1983), Kevin Doyle(September 1983), Keiren Westwood(October 1984), Sean St Ledger(December 1984), Paul McShane(January 1986), Andy Keogh(May 1986), Darron Gibson(October 1987), and Eddie Nolan(August 1988) in the team that faced the Bafana Bafana, with Lawrence scoring his first goal for the Boys in Green.

Twelve years later, in October 2021, Ireland faced Qatar in a friendly to mark the centenary of the FAI, and Stephen Kenny named the first team with players born after the Cold War. Enda Stevens(July 1990), Conor Hourihane(February 1991), Shane Duffy(January 1992), Matt Doherty(January 1992), John Egan(October 1992), Jeff Hendrick(January 1992), Callum Robinson(February 1995), Jamie McGrath(September 1996), Chiedozie Ogbene(May 1997), Caoimhin Kelleher(November 1998), and Andrew Omobamidele(June 2002), with Robinson marking the occasion with a hat trick.

What does all this point to in regards the first Ireland XI of players born after 19 turned to 20? Personally, I think it'll be within the next two years, possibly in a friendly between qualification campaigns. It's been almost two years since six players born this century - Will Smallbone(February 2000), Michael Obafemi(July 2000), Nathan Collins(April 2001), Jason Knight(February 2001), Gavin Bazunu(February 2002), and Evan Ferguson(October 2004) - lined out against Gibraltar in June 2023, and since then no more than five players have ever been named in a starting XI - v Greece in October 2023 and v Switzerland in March 2024. A reasonably strong team of players born in the early 00s could be named from the recent squad, but would have an average age of around 23 years of age, a little inexperienced in international standards.

Friday, 1 September 2023

Round Up for week of Tuesday, 26th August 2023

Tuesday, 29th August 2023

English League Cup

Stoke City 6-1 Rotherham

Jack Bonham's start was his first appearance of the season

Wrexham 1-1 Bradford City

James McClean made his first appearance for Wrexham, and was shown his first yellow card of the season six minutes later
Emmanuel Osadebe made his first start of the season - this was the defender's first start since Saturday, 30th July 2022

Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0 Blackpool

Matt Doherty marked his first appearance in his second spell at Wolves with two goals - his first goals in the League Cup
Joe Hodge's start was his first appearance of the season
Nathan Fraser scored on his senior career debut

Luton Town 3-2 Gillingham

Chiedozie Ogbene was named in the Luton Town starting XI for the first time

Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Sutton United

Aiden O'Brien scored his first goal for Sutton United

Wednesday, 30th August 2023

English League Cup

Harrogate Town 0-8 Blackburn Rovers

Andrew Moran assisted a goal on his first start for loan club Blackburn Rovers
Zak Gilsenan scored his second career goal in his second senior appearance
Thomas Bloxham marked his senior career debut with a goal

Sheffield United 0-0 Lincoln City

John Egan started a game for the 400th time in his career

Chelsea 2-1 AFC Wimbledon

Alex Pearce was booked for the first time this season

Thursday, 31st August 2023

Europa League

Aberdeen 1-3 Häcken

Jamie McGrath was booked for the first time this season in his first start for Aberdeen

Tuesday, 21 February 2023

Round Up for weekend of Saturday, 18th February 2023

Saturday, 18th February 2023

Premier League

Everton 1-0 Leeds United

Seamus Coleman scored his since Saturday, 12 February 2022, coincidentally also against Leeds. This goal, his 22nd in the Premier League, takes him past Stephen Hunt as the tenth highest Republic of Ireland goalscorer in the competition's history

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Championship

Millwall 3-2 Sheffield United

John Egan was named in the Sheffield United starting XI for the 200th time

Rotherham 0-2 Coventry

Chiedozie Ogbene was booked for the first time since Saturday, 5th November

League 1

Accrington Stanley 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

Seamus Conneely's start was his first appearance since Saturday, 14th January

Derby County 2-0 Charlton

Eiran Cashin scored his first goal of the season, this was his first goal since Saturday, 30th April 2022

Lincoln City 0-0 Portsmouth

Daniel Mandroiu was booked for the fifth time this season

Morecambe 0-3 Peterborough

Jack Taylor scored his fifth goal of the season, 11 weeks after his last goal on Friday, 2nd December

Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Fleetwood Town

Corrie Ndaba was booked for the first time this season

League 2

AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Hartlepool

Alex Pearce was booked for the first time since Tuesday, 13th September

Leyton Orient 1-0 Crawley Town

Mazeed Ogungbo started a game for the first time in eight weeks

Rochdale 0-2 Gillingham

Aiden O'Brien was named in the Gillingham starting XI for the first time, this was the striker's first start in six weeks

Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Mansfield Town

Joe Murphy's start was his first appearance of the season, his 25th season in football

👏 Here's your Rovers side for this afternoon...

Turnbull, Morris and Hemmings all miss out through injury 🤕

COME ON ROVERS! #TRFC #SWA
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) February 18, 2023

Scottish Premiership

Hibernian 2-0 Kilmarnock

Aiden McGeady assisted a goal for the first time in six weeks

Scottish Championship

Montrose 3-3 Edinburgh City

Sean Dillon scored his first goal of the season

Australian A-League

Perth Glory 2-2 Central Coast Mariners

Aaron McEneff's introduction was his first appearance in eight weeks

Indian Super League

ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1 Kerala Blasters

Carl McHugh's brace, his first goals in 15 weeks, was the first time the midfielder scored twice in the same game in his career

Sunday, 19th February 2023

Scottish Premiership

Motherwell 2-0 Hearts

James Furlong was booked for the first time this season

Monday, 20th February 2023

Championship

Watford 3-2 West Bromwich Albion

Jayson Molumby was the first Republic of Ireland player to be introduced and assist two goals in a game in English football since Callum Robinson in January 2022

Both Daire O'Connor(for Ayr United V Elgin) and Robert Mahon(for Dunfermline V Airdrie) assisted two goals as substitutes in Scottish football nine days ago!
— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) February 20, 2023

Thursday, 20 October 2022

Why John Egan's 30th Birthday Is A Watershed Moment In Irish Football

John Egan is 30 years old today, and not only is it a landmark day for the player, it is also a watershed moment for Irish football as a whole. For the first time since former international midfield player John Sheridan turned 30 in October 1994, there are no active Irish footballers under the age of 30 with 50, or more, appearances in the Premier League*

According to the database that powers the Irish Abroad website, there are 86 Irish players with 50, or more, appearances in the top division in England in total. Of these, 71 had reached the half century before their 30th birthday.

The graph below shows how many of these 71 players had reached 50 appearances on the 30th birthday of each player, starting with Sheridan's 30th birthday in 1994 on the left and ending on Egan's birthday today.

For example, on Kevin Kilbane's 30th birthday, in February 2007, there were 10 Irish players under 30 with 50, or more, Premier League appearances - Ian Harte(29, 213 apps), Andy O'Brien(27, 206), Damien Duff(27, 208), Clinton Morrison(27, 88), Richard Dunne(27, 230), Robbie Keane(26, 227), Gary Doherty(27, 84), Stephen McPhail(27, 78), Steven Reid(25, 81), and John O'Shea(25, 152).

The peak about two thirds across the graph is Daryl Murphy's 30th birthday in March 2013, when there were 17 players under 30 with 50 Premier League appearances. Since then, there has been a constant decline in the number of Irish players who meet the criteria.

Of the current players, 27 year old Callum Robinson and 22 year old Aaron Connolly are the two Irish players under 30 with the most Premier League appearances, with 48 and 45 appearances respectively, but with Robinson currently in the Championship with Cardiff, and Connolly on loan in Italy with Venezia, both players will have to wait until the 2023/24 season kicks off next August, at the earliest, before they can reach 50 appearances.

Of the current Irish players in the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nathan Collins(21) has 27 Premier League appearances, and with 27 games remaining in Wolves' season, he is the player best positioned to be the next Irish player under 30 to reach 50 appearances in the competition.

*Note that there were Irish footballers under the age of 30 with more than 50 combined Premier League and old First Division appearances before Sheridan's 30th birthday, but we do not have appearance data for players before the start of the Premier League in 1992, so we're treating that as the starting point for this research

Thanks to the foot.ie forum member Eirambler for the post that inspired the research behind this article

Tuesday, 30 August 2022

Round Up for weekend of Friday, 26th August 2022

Friday, 26th August 2022

Championship

Luton Town 1-1 Sheffield United

John Egan's his first assist of the season was his fifth assist for Sheffield United

Scottish Championship

Ayr 3-1 Dundee

Ryan Sweeney was sent off for the second time for Dundee - eight months after being sent off in December 2021

Eerste Divisie

Roda JC 1-3 NAC Breda

Anselmo Garcia MacNulty was booked for the first time this season

Saturday, 27th August 2022

Championship

Hull City 3-2 Coventry

After signing a two year contract with Hull City, Cyrus Christie made his first appearance for the Tigers

Watford 2-3 QPR

Conor Masterson came off the bench for his first appearance of the season

Wigan 1-5 Burnley

James McClean was named in the Wigan starting XI for the 100th time
Will Keane scored his 40th goal for Wigan, this was also his tenth goal in the Championship

League 1

Cheltenham 1-2 Oxford United

Will Ferry was booked for the first time this season

Derby County 2-1 Peterborough

Jason Knight scored his first goal since Sunday, 21 November 2021
David McGoldrick scored his first goal for Derby County - this was the striker's first goal since Saturday, 4th December 2021

Morecambe 0-4 MK Dons

Warren O'Hora' start was his 100th appearance in British football

League 2

Stockport County 1-1 Swindon Town

Paddy Madden was sent off for the first time since Friday, 3 July 2020

Scottish Premiership

Aberdeen 5-0 Livingston

Jonathan Hayes assisted a goal for the first time in six weeks

Sunday, 28th August 2022

Scottish Premiership

Hearts 3-2 St Johnstone

Graham Carey scored his first goal in five weeks

Tuesday, 16 August 2022

Round up for weekend of Friday, 12th August 2022

Friday, 12th August 2022

Championship

Watford 1-0 Burnley

Luke McNally's introduction was his first appearance for Burnley

Luke McNally comes on for Josh Cullen 🔁#WATBUR pic.twitter.com/DyMN6vJ3FN
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 12, 2022

Eerste Divisie

Eindhoven 2-1 Willem II

Dan Crowley scored his first goal for Willem II since returning to the Dutch club

Saturday, 13th August 2022

Championship

Cardiff 1-0 Birmingham City

Scott Hogan was booked for the first time since Saturday, 20th November 2021

Hull City 2-1 Norwich City

Andrew Omobamidele was shown his first yellow card since Saturday, 6 November 2021

Luton 0-1 Preston North End

Robbie Brady assisted a goal for the first time since Tuesday, 29th December 2020

Wigan 1-1 Bristol City

Will Keane scored his first goal of the season in his 150th career start

Scottish Premier League

Aberdeen 2-3 Motherwell

Liam Scales assisted a goal for the first time since Saturday, 22 January

Scottish Championship

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 Cove Rangers

Aaron Doran's first goal in eleven months was his 50th goal for Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Canadian Premier League

Cavalry 2-1 Forge

Joe Mason was booked for the first time since Sunday, 1st May

Serie A

AC Milan 4-2 Udinese

After Matts Kunding, Paddy Sloan, Liam Brady, and Robbie Keane, Festy Ebosele became the fifth Irish player to appear in Serie A

Sunday, 14 August 2022

Championship

Middlesbrough 2-2 Sheffield United

John Egan was named in a starting XI for the 350th time in his career
No player in the game completed as many passes as Darragh Lenihan

🆚 Middlesbrough 2-2 Sheffield United
📋 Post Game Summary (1/2)
🏃 Darragh Lenihan
⏱️ Started, played whole game
🅰️ 1 assist
👟 58/69 passes completed(84.05%) - 🥇 in game!
🔑 1 Key passes
💥 2 tackles - 🥇 for team!
💨 Dribbled past 1 players#COYBIG #MIDSHU
— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) August 14, 2022

Scottish Premier League

Kilmarnock 0-5 Celtic

Alan Power made his 150th start for Kilmarnock

Hearts 4-1 Dundee United

Jamie McGrath was booked for the first time since Saturday, 6th November 2021

MLS

Austin FC 4-3 Sporting Kansas City

Jon Gallagher scored to start the comeback for Austin, this was his first goal since Sunday, 19 September 2021

Serie B

Venezia 1-2 Genoa

Aaron Connolly made his first appearance for Venezia

Monday, 15 August 2022

Getafe 0-3 Atletico Madrid

John-Joe Patrick Finn was named in the Getafe matchday squad for the first time since Thursday, 16th December 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Round Up for week of Tuesday, 19th October 2021

Tuesday, 19th October 2021

Championship

Derby County 2-2 Luton

Jason Knight's first goal of the season, his first since Tuesday, 29th December 2020, was his tenth goal for Derby

Sheffield United 1-2 Millwall

David McGoldrick was named in the starting XI for the first time in two months
Conor Hourihane started a game for the first time in a month

Stoke City 0-1 Bournemouth

Gavin Kilkenny was booked for the first time in two months

League 1

Cheltenham 3-1 Morecambe

Anthony O'Connor was booked for the first time in ten weeks

Fleetwood 0-1 Burton Albion

Thomas O'Connor scored his third goal in two games, this was also the fifth goal of his career

Wigan 1-2 MK Dons

Will Keane made his fifth assist of the season
Warren O'Hora started a game for MK Dons for the 50th time
Troy Parrott made his 50th career appearance

League 2

Bradford City 1-3 Hartlepool

Paudie O'Connor scored his first goal in two months
Gavan Holohan started a game for the first time in seven weeks

Colchester 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Trevor Clarke was sent off for the first time for Bristol Rovers

Mansfield Town 1-1 Port Vale

Harry Charsley started a game for Mansfield Town for the 50th time

Oldham 1-3 Walsall

Alan Sheehan's start was his first appearance in a month
Conor Wilkinson started a game for the first time in in eight weeks
Emmanuel Osadebe scored his fifth goal for Walsall
Conor Wilkinson assisted a goal for the first time this season

Wednesday, 20th October 2021

Championship

Fulham 2-0 Cardiff

Joel Bagan was booked first time since Saturday, 14th August

Hull City 1-2 Peterborough

Jack Taylor scored his first goal of the season

Preston North End 2-1 Coventry

Alan Browne assisted a goal for the first time this season in what was his 300th appearance for Preston North End

Swansea 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

Jayson Molumby was booked for the first time this season (in club football, he's been booked twice while playing for Ireland) in his first start for West Bromwich Albion - this was his first start since Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Round Up for weekend of Saturday, 18th September 2021

Saturday, 18th September 2021

Championship

Hull City 1-3 Sheffield United

In his first start for Sheffield United, Conor Hourihane assisted a goal for the first time since April 2021
John Egan scored his first goals of the season, this was the third time in his career the defender scored twice in the same game, after also scoring a brace for Brentford in August 2016, and Gillingham in November 2014

Luton 3-3 Swansea

Michael Obafemi was named in the starting XI for the first time since Thursday, 16 July 2020

Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackpool

Richard Keogh assisted a goal for the first time since Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Peterborough 3-0 Birmingham City

Jack Taylor started his first game of the season

League 1

Accrington Stanley 1-4 Wigan

John O'Sullivan's introduction was his first appearance in six weeks

Fleetwood 2-2 Sunderland

Aiden McGeady scored his first goal in six weeks

Portsmouth 1-2 Cambridge United

In his 150th appearance for Portsmouth, Ronan Curtis scored his first goal of the season

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Shrewsbury

Olamide Shodipo started his first game in seven weeks

Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Charlton

Daryl Horgan's start was his 50th appearance for Wycombe Wanderers
Harry Arter's first appearance in his season spell at Charlton was his first appearance since Saturday, 9th January 2021

League 2

Bradford City 1-1 Barrow

Fiacre Kelleher was booked for the first time this season- this was his first yellow card since Saturday, 22nd February 2020

Carlisle United 2-2 Scunthorpe

Mason O'Malley made his first assist of the season, this was the first time he assisted a goal since Saturday, 5 December 2020

Mansfield Town 1-1 Rochdale

Stephen McLaughlin was booked for the first time this season

Newport County 2-1 Walsall

In his 50th appearance for Walsall, Emmanuel Osadebe assisted a goal for the first time this season

Tranmere 2-0 Salford City

Corrie Ndaba's start was his 25th career appearance

Scottish Premier League

Hibernian 2-2 St Mirren

Joe Shaughnessy scored his fifth goal for St Mirren
Connor Ronan assisted a goal for St Mirren for the first time during his loan spell

Scottish Championship

Dunfermline 0-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Aaron Doran's start was his 300th appearance for Inverness Caledonian Thistle

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Congratulations to Aaron Doran who made his 300th appearance for the club this afternoon pic.twitter.com/gSIHNBF3M1
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) September 18, 2021

Greenock Morton 0-1 Raith

Oisin McEntee made his first appearance for Greenock Morton, this was his first appearance in senior football since October 2019
Ethon Varian assisted a goal for Raith for the first time

Sunday, 19th September 2021

Premier League

Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Leicester City

Shane Duffy's start was his 300th career appearance

Scottish Premier League

Livingston 1-0 Celtic

James McCarthy made his first start for Celtic since signing for the Bhoys

MLS

Austin FC 3-4 San Jose Earthquakes

Jon Gallagher scored his first goal since Friday, 2 July 2021

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Round Up for week of Tuesday, 14th September 2021

Tuesday, 14th September 2021

Championship

Sheffield United 2-2 Preston North End

John Egan's start was his 125th appearance for Sheffield United

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Derby County

Jason Knight was named in the Derby starting XI for the first time this season

League 1

Lincoln City 1-1 Rotherham

Anthony Scully was named in the starting XI of a team for the 50th team

Scottish League Challenge Cup

Rangers B 0-3 Ayr

Daire O'Connor scored his first goal in Scottish football

Football League Trophy

Morecambe 0-1 Everton U21

Tom Cannon's start was made his first appearance in senior football

Tranmere 4-1 Leeds United U21

Lee O'Connor's start (his first in a month) was his 50th career appearance
Sam Foley scored his 25th and 26th goals of his career,

Walsall 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion U21

Emmanuel Osadebe started a game for the first time in a month
In his first appearance in senior football this season, Gary Dicker was sent off for the first time since August 2018
James Furlong made his first appearance of the season
Evan Ferguson started a game in senior football for the first time

Leyton Orient 1-0 Southampton U21

Callum Reilly made his first start for Leyton Orient, this was his first start since March 2021

Ipswich 1-2 West Ham U21

Armstrong Oko-Flex scored his first career goal in his first start in senior football

Thursday, 16th September 2021

Europa Conference Qualifiers

Roma 5-1 CSKA Sofia

Graham Carey's goal, the first Irish goal scored in Stadio Olimpico since Damien Duff scored there for Chelsea in November 2003, was his tenth goal for CSKA Sofia

What a thunderous finish from Graham Carey! 💥

The Irish midfielder gives CSKA Sofia an unexpected lead against Jose Mourinho's Roma!#UECL pic.twitter.com/AjHzFl0M1t
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 16, 2021

Monday, 30 August 2021

Round Up for weekend of Friday, 27th August 2021

Friday, 27th August 2021

League 2

Rochdale 1-1 Colchester

Jimmy Keohane scored his first goal of the season

Saturday, 28th August 2021

Championship

Barnsley 1-1 Birmingham City

Scott Hogan was named in the Birmingham City starting XI for the 50th time

Luton 0-0 Sheffield United

John Egan was booked for the first time this season

Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackburn

Darragh Lenihan started a game for for Blackburn for the 200th time

Peterborough 0-1 West Bromwich Albion

Jack Taylor's half time introduction was his first appearance of the season
Dara O'Shea was booked for the first time this season

League 1

Cambridge United 1-0 Bolton

Wes Hoolahan was booked for the first time this season

MK Dons 2-0 Accrington Stanley

Troy Parrott assisted a goal for the first time this season

League 2

Leyton Orient 2-0 Bradford City

Fiacre Kelleher's substitute appearance was his first appearance of the season and his debut for Bradford City

Salford City 3-0 Newport County

Tyreik Wright's early opener for Salford was the first goal of his career

Walsall 1-0 Stevenage

Conor Wilkinson scored his first goal for Walsall

Scottish Premier League

Motherwell 1-0 Dundee

Jake Carroll unfortunately marked his 50th appearance for Motherwell with his second red card for The Well, the first coming in September 2019
Cillian Sheridan's introduction was his 100th appearance in the SPL

Sunday, 29th August 2021

Scottish Premier League

St Mirren 0-0 St Johnstone

Joe Shaughnessy's start was his 50th appearance for St Mirren - remarkably all were starts!

Monday, 16 August 2021

Round up for weekend of Friday, 13th August 2021

Friday, 13th August 2021

Bulgarian Parva Liga

Pirin Blagoevgrad 4-1 CSKA 1948 Sofia

Conor Henderson came off the bench for his first appearance of the season, in Pirin's third game of the season

Saturday, 14th August 2021

Premier League

Burnley 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

Shane Duffy was named in Brighton's starting XI - this was his first appearance since Sunday, 14th February

Everton 3-1 Southampton

Seamus Coleman's start was his 300th appearance in the Premier League

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Championship

Birmingham City 0-0 Stoke City

Scott Hogan was booked for the first time since Tuesday, 23rd February

West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Luton

Callum Robinson assisted a goal for the first time since Wednesday, 22nd July 2020

Swansea 0-0 Sheffield United

John Egan was named in the starting XI of a club side for the 300th time

League 1

AFC Wimbledon 3-3 Bolton

Eoin Doyle's first goal of the season was his 20th goal for Bolton, and also completed his fifth assist for the Trotters

Accrington Stanley 2-1 Cambridge United

In his second appearance of the season, Wes Hoolahan completed his first assist of the season

Lincoln City 2-1 Fleetwood

The first goal of Anthony Scully's brace (his first goals of the season) was his fifteenth goal in League One

MK Dons 1-2 Sunderland

Troy Parrott scored his first goal for MK Dons

Portsmouth 2-0 Crewe Alexandra

Gavin Bazunu made his first appearance for loan club Portsmouth

League 2

Leyton Orient 3-0 Exeter

Padraig Amond made his first appearance for Exeter

Walsall 1-3 Forest Green

Stephen Ward's start was his 450th appearance in English football, and assisted a goal for the first time since Saturday, 5 December 2020

Scottish League Cup

Livingston 1-1 St Mirren

Conor McCarthy scored his first goal of the season

Sunday, 15th August 2021

Scottish League Cup

Raith 2-1 Aberdeen

In his first start in senior football, Ethon Varian scored the first goal of his career

Celtic 3-2 Hearts

James McCarthy made his first appearance for Celtic
Aaron McEneff scored his first goal of the season

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Round Up for weekend of Saturday, 15th May 2021

Saturday, 15th May 2021

Scottish Premier League

Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen

In his final appearance for Aberdeen, Tommie Hoban was named in the Don's starting XI for the 50th time

St Johnstone 0-0 Livingston

Jaze Kabia was named in the Livingston starting XI for the first time

Belgian Super League

Anderlecht 1-2 Genk

Josh Cullen's start was his 25th appearance in the Belgian league

Sunday, 16th May 2021

Premier League

Crystal Palace 3-2 Aston Villa

James McCarthy was named in the Crystal Palace starting XI for the 50th time

Everton 0-1 Sheffield United

John Egan made his 300th career appearance

Scottish Premier League

Hamilton Academical 0-2 Kilmarnock

Alan Power assisted a goal for the first time in two months

Motherwell 1-2 Ross County

Sam Foley scored his first goal for Motherwell - this was his first goal since February 2020

St Mirren 0-0 Dundee Utd

Dylan Connolly was named in the St Mirren starting XI for the first time in a month

MLS

Atlanta United 1-0 Montreal Impact

Jake Mulraney's came off the bench to assist a goal for the first time since September 2020

Australian A-League

Perth Glory 5-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

Andy Keogh marked his 35th birthday with four goals in one game, his first goals since February 2020, making the only the second Perth Glory player to score four goals in one A-League game

Monday, 17th May 2021

Championship

Barnsley 0-1 Swansea

Conor Hourihane started a game for Swansea for the twentieth time

Tuesday, 4 May 2021

Round up for weekend of Friday, 30th April 2021

Friday, 30th April 2021

League 2

Harrogate Town 5-4 Cambridge United

Wes Hoolahan's scored his first goal in six weeks

Scottish Championship

Arbroath 0-0 Greenock Morton

Sean McGinty was sent off for the first time in his career

Inverness CT 2-2 Ayr

Aaron Doran's introduction was his first appearance in eight weeks

Eerste Divisie

Excelsior 3-0 Dordrecht

Liam Bossin was named in the Dordrecht starting XI for the tenth time

Saturday, 1st May 2021

Championship

Huddersfield 1-1 Coventry

Richard Keogh was booked for the first time since Saturday, 26 December
Jordan Shipley scored his first goal since Tuesday, 20 October

Luton 1-1 Middlesbrough

Glen Rea scored his first goal since Tuesday, 29 December 2020, and was booked for the tenth time this season

Millwall 4-1 Bristol City

Max O'Leary's start was his first appearance in six weeks

League 1

AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Portsmouth

Ronan Curtis scored his 40th goal for Portsmouth

Fleetwood 1-1 MK Dons

Glenn Whelan's late introduction was his first appearance since Saturday, 23 January

Peterborough 3-3 Lincoln City

Jack Taylor was named in the Peterborough starting XI for the 50th time

Rochdale 1-2 Doncaster Rovers

Eoghan O'Connell's start was his 100th appearance in the competition

Swindon Town 1-2 Ipswich

Mark McGuinness made his 25th career appearance

League 2

Bradford City 0-0 Scunthorpe

Paudie O'Connor's start was his 100th career appearance

Grimsby 1-0 Port Vale

Sean Scannell started a game for the first time since Saturday, 5 December

Leyton Orient 2-3 Carlisle United

Conor Wilkinson's 15th goal of the season was also his 20th goal for Leyton Orient

Mansfield Town 4-1 Oldham

Ireland U18 player Jaden Charles' introduction for Mansfield was his senior career debut
Stephen McLaughlin's assisted a goal for the first time in six weeks

Newport Co. 1-0 Cheltenham

Padraig Amond made his 50th appearance of the season

Walsall 0-2 Morecambe

Liam McAlinden's start (his first in five weeks) was his 100th appearance League Two

Scottish Premier League

Livingston 1-2 Aberdeen

Jaze Kabia assisted a goal for Livingston for the first time
Jonathan Hayes was booked for the fifth time this season

Motherwell 2-0 Kilmarnock

Sam Foley was named in the Motherwell starting XI for the first time
Danny Rogers' start was first appearance in three months

St Mirren 1-2 Hamilton Academical

Jake Doyle-Hayes was booked for the first time since Saturday, 6 February

Sunday, 2th May 2021

Premier League

Tottenham 4-0 Sheffield United

John Egan was booked for the first time in three months

Belgian Super League

FC Bruges 2-2 Anderlecht

Josh Cullen was booked for the fifth time this season in his 25th appearance for Anderlecht

MLS

Minessota United 0-1 Austin FC

Jon Gallagher's introduction was his 50th appearance in senior football

Monday, 3rd May 2021

MLS

Seattle Sounders FC 3-0 LA Galaxy

Derrick Williams' start was his first appearance for LA Galaxy

Tuesday, 13 April 2021

Round Up for weekend of Friday, 9th April 2021

Friday, 9th April 2021

Scottish Championship

Hearts 6-0 Alloa

Aaron McEneff scored his first goal for Hearts

McEneff's first goal in maroon. And what a goal it was 🔥 pic.twitter.com/orW1jY7jF9
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) April 10, 2021

Swiss Challenge League

FC Schaffhausen 0-2 Grasshopper

Connor Ronan's start was his 25th appearance for Grasshopper

Australian A-League

Macarthur 1-2 Brisbane Roar

Jay O'Shea completed an assist for the first time since Monday, 10th August 2020

Saturday, 10th April 2021

Premier League

Crystal Palace 1-4 Chelsea

James McCarthy's second half introduction was his first appearance since Wednesday, 3rd March

Championship

Millwall 0-3 Swansea

Conor Hourihane completed an assist for the first time since Wednesday, 24 February

Derby County 0-1 Norwich

Festy Ebosele came off the bench for his league debut

3️⃣ Three Irish teenagers on the pitch at the same time during Derby County - Norwich City yesterday - @AndrewOmobamid1(18), Festy Ebosele(18) & Louie Watson(19) - the first time that happened since we started tracking appearance data for Ireland players!https://t.co/d11Rm6QXPc
— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) April 11, 2021

Wycombe Wanderers 1-3 Luton

James Collins started a game for Luton for the first time in five weeks

League 1

Crewe Alexandra 0-6 Oxford United

Mark Sykes assisted a goal for the first time since Tuesday, 2nd February

Doncaster Rovers 1-4 Wigan

Corey Whelan's late introduction was his first appearance in a month

Fleetwood 1-0 Rochdale

Eoghan O'Connell scored his first own goal since February 2020

Ipswich 0-0 MK Dons

Aaron Drinan was named in the starting XI for the first time since Saturday, 23 January

Lincoln City 2-2 Blackpool

Anthony Scully scored his 15th goal for Lincoln City

Northampton 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Michael Harriman started a game for the first time in a month

Swindon Town 0-3 Peterborough

Jack Taylor was booked for the first time in two months

League 2

Bradford City 1-0 Grimsby

Billy Clarke's started his first game in a month
Anthony O'Connor's first goal in two months was his fifth goal in League Two

Salford City 2-1 Stevenage

Richie Towell assisted a goal for the first time since Saturday, 12 September

Walsall 2-1 Forest Green

Emmanuel Osadebe completed an assits for the first time in 15 months, and then assisted another goal 59 minutes later!

Scottish Premier League

St Johnstone 0-1 Aberdeen

Jonathan Hayes's first goal since Saturday, 5 December was his 40th goal in the SPL

Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren

Jamie McGrath made his 50th appearance for St Mirren
Joe Shaughnessy was booked for the first time in five weeks

Australian A-League

Adelaide United 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

Simon Cox scored his fifth goal for Western Sydney Wanderers, two months after his previous goal

Polish Ekstraklasa

Pogoń Szczecin 2-0 Wisła Płock

Cillian Sheridan came off the bench for his first first appearance in six weeks

Sunday, 11th April 2021

Premier League

Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal

John Egan started a game for the first time in eight weeks

Belgian Super League

Anderlecht 2-1 FC Bruges

Josh Cullen assisted a goal for the first time since Saturday, 27th June 2020

Monday, 12th April 2021

Premier League

West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Southampton

In his first start in ten weeks, Callum Robinson scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season - this was his first time scoring in consecutive games since February 2020. Along with with David McGoldrick's six goals, it means that 2020/21 is the first season since 2018/19 (when Shane Long and Shane Duffy both scored five goals) where two Irish player scored five, or more, goals

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Round Up for Tuesday, 2nd February 2021

Tuesday, 2nd February 2021

Premier League

Sheffield United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

John Egan made his first assist of the season, more than two years after his last assist in December 2018

Newcastle Utd 1-2 Crystal Palace

Ciaran Clark was named in the Newcastle starting XI for the 100th time

Championship

Millwall 0-0 Norwich

Adam Idah's introduction was his 25th appearance for Norwich

Coventry 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Cyrus Christie made his 25th appearance for Nottingham Forest - starting each time

League 1

Charlton 1-3 Portsmouth

Marcus Harness assisted a goal for the first time since the end of November

Accrington Stanley 6-1 Bristol Rovers

Seamus Conneely made his first assist of the season

League 2

Carlisle United 1-2 Forest Green

Joshua Kayode was named in the Carlisle starting XI for the first time in a month

Stevenage 0-1 Exeter

Pierce Sweeney was booked for the fifth time this season

Crawley 0-0 Leyton Orient

Conor Wilkinson was booked for the first time in two months

Scottish Premier League

Aberdeen 0-2 Livingston

Tommie Hoban was booked for the first time this season

Kilmarnock 0-4 Celtic

Gary Dicker's start was his first appearance since Saturday, 21st November
Colin Doyle's start was his first appearance since Tuesday, 10 November

Football League Trophy

Oxford United 3-1 AFC Wimbledon

Olamide Shodipo made his first assist of the season

Tranmere 2-1 Peterborough

Both Joe Murphy and Lee O'Connor were named in the Tranmere starting XI for the 20th time

Hull City 1-1 Lincoln City

Anthony Scully made his fifth assist of the season

Indian Super League

SC East Bengal 0-2 Bengaluru

Anthony Pilkington was booked for the first time this season

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

Premier League

Liverpool 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion

Caoimhin Kelleher made his tenth career start

Scottish Premier League

Motherwell 2-1 Dundee Utd

Sam Foley's first appearance for new club Motherwell was his first appearance in two months

Monday, 18 January 2021

Round Up for weekend of Saturday, 16th January 2021

Saturday, 16th January 2021

Premier League

Leicester City 2-0 Southampton

Will Smallbone's start was his first appearance since Sunday, 20 September, and unfortunately has injured his ACL and will miss the rest of the season

Championship

Middlesbrough 0-1 Birmingham City

Scott Hogan scored his tenth goal for Birmingham City, all of which have come in the Championship

Cardiff 1-2 Norwich

Andrew Omobamidele came on as a late substitute for his first appearance in for Norwich's senior team

League 1

AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Sunderland

Aiden O'Brien complete an assist for the first time since Tuesday, 8 September

Accrington Stanley 0-1 Gillingham

Seamus Conneely made his 75th appearance in League One

Burton Albion 0-1 Ipswich

Alan Judge started his 60th game for Ipswich
Mark McGuinness scored the first goal of his career
Aaron Drinan was booked for the first time this season

Peterborough 3-0 MK Dons

Jack Taylor was booked for the first time in six weeks

Rochdale 3-3 Wigan

Gavin Bazunu's assist was the first by an Irish goalkeeper in English football since Ian Lawlor in August 2019

Bazunu is the first @FAIreland goalkeeper to register an assist in English football since @Ianlawlor assisted Niall Ennis' opener for Doncaster Rovers against Lincoln City on Saturday, 24th August 2019#COYBIG #RAFC https://t.co/eJfwDCGDPC
— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) January 16, 2021

League 2

Bolton 1-1 Cheltenham

After signing for Bolton on loan for the rest of the season, Zachary Elbouzedi's start was his first appearance for the Trotters
Eoin Doyle scored his first goal in a month
Sean Long's first appearance of the season as a late substitute was his 50th appearance for Cheltenham

Grimsby 0-0 Southend United

Sean Scannell's introduction was his first appearance in six weeks
Alan McCormack was shown his first yellow card in eight weeks

Walsall 1-1 Oldham

Callum Cockerill-Mollett came off the bench for his first appearance in eight weeks

Scottish Premier League

Hibernian 2-0 Kilmarnock

As well as scoring his first own goal of the season, Alan Power was also booked for the tenth time this season

Sunday, 17th January 2021

Premier League

Sheffield United 1-3 Tottenham

David McGoldrick's first goal in a month was his 25th goal for Sheffield United
John Egan's booking was his fifth yellow card of the season, a month after his previous caution

Scottish Premier League

Motherwell 1-1 Rangers

Jake Carroll was booked for the first time this season