We’ve returned to club action after one of the most uplifting international breaks in recent Irish memory. For once – and Republic of Ireland supporters know how rare this is – fans were left wishing it had lasted longer. Amid that genuine sense of optimism, Irish players delivered one of their strongest collective performances of the season.
Evan Ferguson may have been overshadowed recently by Troy Parrott’s form, but before injury he was expected to be Ireland’s headline act in the last international window. Parrott filled the void, but that only heightened the pressure on Ferguson to rediscover his rhythm when he returned to action.
On Sunday, he finally got the moment he’d been waiting for. Introduced in the 60th minute for Roma against Cremonese, he needed only four minutes to curl in a superb finish to make it 2-0 – becoming the first Irish player to score in Serie A since Liam Brady in 1985.
The joy and relief on his face told the full story. Ferguson’s link-up play, work-rate and intelligence have deserved far more than the goal return he’s had this season, so hopefully this strike is a turning point rather than a cameo highlight. Fit again, confident again, this may be the weekend we look back on as the start of his real rise.
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While Ferguson grabbed the headlines, Sunday also produced another moment of class from Parrott. In AZ Alkmaar’s 3-1 defeat to Heerenveen, he once again made the most of the service he had, taking his one clear chance with typical sharpness. It brings his tally to a highly impressive 14 goals in 15 games for his club this season. Even on a difficult afternoon, he remained decisive.
If Ferguson and Parrott were the only scorers among Ireland internationals over the weekend, Ireland fans would have been satisfied. But the momentum actually began on Saturday, in the early Championship kick-off, where Southampton dismantled Charlton Athletic 5-1.
Ryan Manning struck the opener on 14 minutes, before Ireland teammate Finn Azaz produced a superb first-half brace. After a mixed start at Southampton, this was the first time Azaz looked like the player who shone so brightly at Middlesbrough.
Elsewhere in the Championship on Saturday, Jimmy Dunne continued his strong run of form with a well-taken equaliser in QPR’s 3–2 win over Hull City. It was another important contribution from a defender whose steady performances often go under the radar.
On Sunday, Tom Cannon grabbed his first goal of the season for Sheffield United in the Sheffield derby – a match Chiedozie Ogbene missed through injury. Cannon came off the bench and curled a brilliant effort into the bottom corner from distance to seal a 3-0 win. A timely confidence boost as he targets an Ireland call-up in March.
Mikey Johnston was again lively on Saturday, producing two excellent assists for West Bromwich Albion as they raced into a 2-0 lead against Coventry. Strangely, he was withdrawn at half-time with the score 2-1 and Albion went on to lose 3-2. It was a difficult afternoon for Ireland and West Brom player Jayson Molumby, who was sent off early in the second half of the game after receiving a second yellow card. Elsewhere, Aidomo Emakhu also contributed an assist on Saturday in Millwall’s 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth.
Across the UK, Irish players kept the momentum going. On Saturday, Aaron Connolly hit his eighth of the season for Leyton Orient in a 1-1 draw with Blackpool. Jamie McGrath scored again for Hibernian in their 2-0 win over Dundee, and Luca Connell curled in a superb free kick in Barnsley’s 5-0 win over Luton Town. Jamie Mullins added an assist for Wycombe in their 3-2 victory over Lincoln City, while Ryan Graydon continued his scoring run for Fleetwood in a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury.
Outside the UK, Irish performances were just as notable. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Andrew Moran came on at half-time for Los Angeles FC in their playoff clash with Vancouver, assisted their first goal and converted his penalty in the shootout. However, LA’s season ultimately ended.
In Bulgaria on Saturday, Armstrong Oko-Flex scored his sixth of the season for Botev Plovdiv, while in Belgium, Jonathan Afolabi made the most of his time on the pitch – coming on in the 94th minute and scoring in the 95th with his first touch as Kortrijk beat Lommel 4-2.
Player of the Week: Finn Azaz (Southampton)
On Saturday, we finally saw the Finn Azaz in a Southampton shirt that we saw so often at Middlesbrough last season, producing a brilliant two-goal display in Southampton’s demolition of Charlton. It has been a tough start to the season for him, but he looked back to his best in this game at the Valley.
Goal of the Week: Luca Connell (Barnsley)
Luca Connell whipped an exceptional free kick into the corner for Barnsley in their 5–0 victory over Luton. It was a captain’s performance from Connell, who continues to shine for the Tykes under Conor Hourihane. His strike was unstoppable, giving Josh Keeley no chance.
Stat of the Week: Troy Parrott - 19 Goals in 19 Games (AZ Alkmaar)
Troy Parrott, fresh off his international heroics, delivered again for AZ at the weekend with a well-taken goal against Heerenveen. Despite AZ’s 3-1 defeat, Parrott once more showed his finishing ability - reaching 19 goals in 19 games for club and country is a remarkable achievement.
