Irish involvement in the Football League playoffs

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

McLaughlin puts Southend in front.

[OwlsFan]

Barry Corr smashes a penalty against the crossbar 7 minutes into second-half stoppage time. It remains 1-1 between Southend & Stevenage and goes into extra-time.

Cian Bolger, Michael Timlin & Corr started for Southend. Stephen McLaughlin came off the bench. Gary Deegan remains on the bench. With a strong Irish contingent, Southend are the team to favor in this leg, but Corr has missed the chance to make himself a hero.

I enjoyed the game particularly because of the Irish interest. For a big man, Corr has excellent feet (despite missing the penalty). Mind you he played back in the day for Wednesday and never managed to score. Just lacking the aggression and physicality of a Tony Cascarino to have made it. Bolger and Timlin were excellent.

[TrapAPony]

Hoolahan starts for Norwich. Chambers & Murphy start for Ipswich with the two Hunts, Tabb & McGoldrick on the bench. Kick off at 12:15

*Wes scored a penalty to go 1-0 up. Score is currently 2-1 to Norwich

[Charlie Darwin]

That's Norwich through to the final. Simple now: Norwich and we'll have extra Irish involvement in the Premier League; Middlesbrough win and we don't.

[DeLorean]

And Middlesbrough are horrible to watch. The two best teams have got to the final though to be fair. They were the two challenging for the automatics while Ipswich and Brentford scraped into the playoffs. Nice penalty from Wessi. Tabb at fault for third goal.

[Stuttgart88]

Murphy, McGoldrick, Tabb and Hunt won't be getting promoted. Disaster.

[Charlie Darwin]

On the plus side, there should be a few opportunities in the Championship for young lads like Connolly and McDonnell. Slight chance of McGoldrick and maybe Murphy getting a move to the Premier.

[SkStu]

Murphy, McGoldrick, Tabb and Hunt won't be getting promoted. Disaster.

Some might say it's the death knell ringing for the Irish international team.

[DannyInvincible]

Some might say it's the death knell ringing for the Irish international team.

Hehe, I sense a subtle hint of sarcasm, but I was disappointed. Whilst those lads are peripheral for us, it's good to have as many eligible players playing at the top-level as possible and Mick is always keen to bring in Irish players wherever he is. Would have been good to have him back in the Premier League.

[Stuttgart88]

Southend go up in dramatic style. Barry Corr is a doppelgänger for Olivier Giroud. Cian Bolger is a giant. I'd say he has a great physique but that raised a few eyebrows last time I said similar. Timlin scored a tidy penno, Bolger nailed his.

I didn't watch all the game. Heard McLoughlin mentioned but that's all.

Graham Coughlan is Brown's number two I think.

Both managers watched the shoot out together. Nice touch.

[nigel-harps1954]

McLaughlin came off in the 59th minute.

[tetsujin1979]

Alan Browne on the bench for Preston, Anton Rogers on the bench for Swindon this evening. Preston currently leading 2-0

[TrapAPony]

Anton Rogers on the bench for Swindon this evening. Preston currently leading 2-0

I wouldn't like to be in the Rodgers house after today...

[zero]

I wouldn't like to be in the Rodgers house after today...

browne on after about 38 mins.