First Loss

On Andy O'Brien's 38th birthday on June 29th last, we posted his international record to twitter and facebook

Happy birthday Andy O'Brien(26 caps, 1 goal), 38 today! 🎂 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/iII1aA6h1U

— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) June 29, 2017

One of our facebook followers pointed out that he didn't lose a game until his 22nd game, and we wondered if this was a record for Irish players.

After examining the history books, we've concluded that yes, Andy O'Brien is the holder of this particular record, and by a considerable amount. His 22 games is five more than Andy Townsend and Andy Reid, who both lost their first game in their 17th cap

Players	Caps	First Loss
Andy O'Brien	26	22
Andy Townsend	70	17
Andy Reid	29	17
Matt Holland	49	15
Simon Cox	27	13
Stephen Ward	42	13

International Round Up

Sunday, 11th June 2017

FIFA World Cup 2018 European Qualifying

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Austria

Starting XI
Darren Randolph made his 22nd appearance for Ireland
Stephen Ward made his 43rd appearance for Ireland
Shane Duffy made his 11th appearance for Ireland
Kevin Long made his competitive debut in what was only his third appearance for Ireland
Cyrus Christie was booked for the first time in his Ireland career in his 11th appearance (ten of which were starts) at international level
James McClean made his 52nd appearance for Ireland
Glenn Whelan made his 81st appearance for Ireland
Jeff Hendrick made his 33rd appearance for Ireland
Harry Arter made his sixth appearance for Ireland, and continued his record of going unbeaten in the green jersey
Robbie Brady was booked for the first time since November in his 34th appearance for Ireland
Jonathan Walters scored his 14th goal for Ireland in his 49th appearance for Ireland. This goal puts him joint eighth in the all time goalscoring list, with Kevin Doyle and Noel Cantwell

Substitutes
Aiden McGeady made his 90th appearance for Ireland
Daryl Murphy made his 26th appearance for Ireland
Wes Hoolahan made his 40th appearance for Ireland

June 2017 Transfers and Contracts

Transfers

Thursday, 1st June

Following the expiration of his contract at Brenford, midfielder Alan McCormack signed for Luton: http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-sky-bet-league-two-alan-mccormack-3727772.aspx

Thursday, 8th June

Defender Eoghan O'Connell left Celtic to sign for League One side Bury on a three year deal: https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2017/june/confirmed-eoghan-oconnell-signs-for-the-shakers/

Friday, 9th June

Following the expiration of his contract at Chesterfield, midfielder Jay O'Shea signed a two year contract with for Bury: https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2017/june/confirmed-jay-oshea-signs-for-bury-football-club/

Wednesday, 14th June

After announcing he would be leaving former club MK Dons in April, midfielder Darren Potter signed a two year deal with Rotherham: https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2017/june/signing--millers-secure-deal-for-darren-potter/

Saturday, 17th June

After five years at Aberdeen, Jonathan Hayes rejoined his former youth manager Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, signing a 3 year deal: http://www.celticfc.net/news/12794

Monday, 19th June

After a successful loan with Peterhead last season, Fiacre Kelleher left Celtic to join Oxford United on a two year deal: https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2017/june/kelleher-signs/

Former U19 midfielder Tom Holland signed for Welsh Premier League side The New Saints: http://www.tnsfc.co.uk/player/tom-holland/

Wednesday, 21st June

Connor Smith signed a two year contract with Yeovil Town, after signing for the Pilgrims on a free transfer: https://www.ytfc.net/news/2017/june/connor-smith-signs/

Thursday, 22nd June

Defender Graham Kelly signed for Port Vale on a one year deal, with the option of a further 12 months: https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2017/june/welcome-to-port-vale---graham-kelly/

Friday, 23rd June

After six years, and more than 250 appearances, for Lincoln City, Alan Power signed a two year contract with Kilmarnock: http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=5792

Tuesday, 27th June

After signing a one year extension to his contract with Brentford, goalkeeper Jack Bonham signed for Carlisle on a six month loan: https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2017/june/bonhamsigns18jun17/

Defender Cieron Keane signed a year one deal with National League North side Kidderminster Harriers: http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2017/06/27/harriers-land-defender-keane/

Thursday, 29th June

Former U21 striker James Collins signed a three year contract with Luton Town: https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2017/june/james-collins/

Mark Yeates left the Football League to sign for big spending Eastleigh Town: http://www.eastleighfc.com/2017/06/28/yeates-signs-for-the-spitfires/

After eight different loans during his time at Bolton, Conor Wilkinson has signed for Gillingham on a two year deal: https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2017/june/gills-clinch-conor-wilkinson-signing/

Friday, 30th June

David Mooney signed a two year contract with Leyton Orient, where he spent four years between 2011 and 2015, following the expiration of his contract with Southend: https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2017/june/mooney-signs/

Kevin O'Connor will join Cork City teammate Sean Maguire at Preston North End after signing a three year contract with the Lilywhites: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2017/june/preston-north-end-agree-to-sign-cork-citys-kevin-oconnor/

Charles Dunne followed his Oldham manager Steve Robinson to Motherwell, signing a one year contract, with the option of a further 12 months with the Steelmen: http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2017/06/30/charles-dunne-joins-the-steelmen/ 

Contracts

Tuesday, 6th June

Ahead of their return to the Championship in 2017/18, Shaun Williams signed a new one year contract with Millwall, with the option of a further 12 months: https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2017/june/shaun-williams-signs-new-deal/

Friday, 23rd June

U21 defender Connor O’Grady signed an extension to his contract with Sheffield Wednesday until Summer 2018: https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2017/june/ogrady-extends/

Monday, 26th June

Following her two assists in the Women’s FA Cup Final, Megan Campbell signed a one year extension to her contract at Man City: https://www.mancity.com/news/mcwfc/mcwfc-news/2017/june/man-city-women-megan-campbell-contract-extension

Thursday, 29th June

Graham Carey ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Plymouth Argyle: https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/2017/june/gc10-again/

Friday, 30th June

John O’Shea agreed a new one year deal with Sunderland, after his previous contract expired at the end of the 2016/17 season: https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2017/june/oshea-pens-new-deal