Irish in Britain: How they fared this weekend

Division One: Two more goals for Niall Quinn, for Sunderland against Ipswich yesterday, took his season's tally to 13, just one…

Division One: Two more goals for Niall Quinn, for Sunderland against Ipswich yesterday, took his season's tally to 13, just one short of the total of Robbie Keane, the top Irish scorer in Britain. On Friday Quinn's Sunderland team-mate, 26-year-old centre-half Paul Butler, declared for the Republic of Ireland, turning down Bobby Gould's offer of a place in the next Welsh squad. Alan Mahon was the only other Irish player on the scoresheet in Division One over the weekend, giving Tranmere the lead against Bristol City - the game finished 1-1. Division Three: On Friday night Irish under-21 Paul Armstrong scored his first senior goal in England, when he equalised for Brighton with a last minute penalty against Chester, and on Saturday Kevin Nugent scored in Cardiff's 2-1 defeat by Peterborough, his seventh goal in seven games. Kevin Maher was also on the losing side at the weekend, scoring in Southend's 3-1 defeat by Shrewsbury. On The Move: Former Irish under-21 forward Lee Power has signed for Halifax on a 16-month deal after a spell on loan at the club from Plymouth Argyle. Power could be replaced by 21-year-old Dubliner Glen Crowe who is on trial at Plymouth after being told by Wolves that he will be released at the end of the season.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times