As 2013 is now well and truly under way, football in the South West finds itself coming under a strong Irish influence, which was reflected in last Saturday’s results.
This influence was perhaps most strongly felt at Plymouth Argyle, now under the management of former Republic of Ireland midfielder John Sheridan, who defeated Morecambe 2-1 with their opening goal coming from their Cork-born, Eire Under-21 midfielder Conor Hourihane.
Another Republic Under-21 cap had a hand in the Pilgrims’ second goal as Ronan Murray, Sheridan’s first signing on loan from Ipswich Town currently managed by his former Republic team-mate Mick McCarthy, set up Paris Cowan-Hall for Argyle’s second goal as Argyle moved out of the relegation zone.
The Hibernian influence was also apparent for Exeter City and Yeovil Town as Irish strikers John O’Flynn and Paddy Madden both bagged braces for the Grecians and the Glovers in their respective victories over Southend United and Sheffield United.
Former Barnet front man O’Flynn struck with a goal in each half for the Grecians to help Exeter to a 3-0 win over Southend, which moves Paul Tisdale’s side into the automatic promotion places in League Two.
O’Flynn’s fellow countrymen Jimmy Keohane provided the assist for his second of the afternoon.
Meanwhile, at Bramall Lane, Madden’s double for Yeovil helped Glovers’ boss Gary Johnson celebrate the anniversary of his return to Huish Park with a 2-0 over the Blades, which helped to strengthen Yeovil’s Play-Off aspirations.
Madden, who joined the Glovers from Carlisle United on a permanent deal during the current transfer window; following a successful loan spell, opened the scoring on 50 minutes before he completed his brace in the 66th minute when he capitalising on a mistake from Blades’ keeper George Long.
Also featuring for Yeovil was Madden’s fellow countryman, and January acquisition, Kevin Dawson who Johnson recently signed from Shelbourne.
