John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick, and possibly Scott Hogan will be plying their trade in the Premier League next season after Sheffield United secured promotion to the Premier League this weekend.

Irish players also scored for QPR and Sheffield United.

"For me, eligibility is not, and should not, be a political issue. Nor should it be a religious issue."

All seven Premier League clubs hosting matches today are hopeful of their fixtures going ahead in a weekend sporting programme badly affected by snow.

Birmingham hauled themselves out of the relegation zone and left Sunderland further in trouble at the wrong end of the Sky Bet Championship with a 3-1 win at St Andrew's.

Michael Carrick has accepted Jose Mourinho’s offer to join his first-team coaching staff upon retirement, the Manchester United manager has revealed.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has no issue with Paddy McNair's inclusion in Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off squad, even though he only returned from an 11-month injury lay-off on Saturday.

Defender Ryan Delaney will make his final appearance at Turner’s Cross for Cork City on Friday night after manager John Caulfield confirmed the defender is on his way back to English Championship side Burton Albion.

Romelu Lukaku will have to cope with Manchester United’s relentless fixture schedule as Jose Mourinho cannot afford to rest him until Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns.

Jose Mourinho has been as impressed by Anthony Martial’s attitude as the Manchester United forward’s upturn in performances.

EFL clubs have indicated they are in favour of an early closure to the summer transfer window from next season.

Ander Herrera says Manchester City’s summer spending makes them Premier League favourites, with Pep Guardiola’s trophyless first season meaning they currently have a greater obligation to win titles than Manchester United.

First impressions count and it didn’t take Joe Mason long to make his mark on his Burton Albion debut.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could face a considerable battle for a starting spot when fit again but Jose Mourinho has stressed how important it will be for Manchester United to have the option of a striker he still regards as one of the world’s finest.

Manchester United begin the defence of the Carabao Cup by hosting Burton in the third round.

Cardiff maintained their 100% start to stay top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-0 home win over Sheffield United, but Aston Villa dropped into the relegation zone after losing at Reading.

Cork City manager John Caulfield believes Irish teams have the potential to make huge strides in the Europa League and Champions League but warned club managers must first lose their “mé féin” attitude for the good of the league.

If he’s showing a cool exterior, Alan Bennett reckons it might be because he’s coming straight from an ice bath.

New Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp admits he has dived into the unknown as he bids to keep the club in the Sky Bet Championship.

Steve McClaren was tonight sacked by Derby for the second time in less than two years after a five-month second spell.

Cork City manager John Caulfield has challenged towering defender Ryan Delaney to become the club’s set-piece goal king this season as he looks to add an aerial threat to his title challengers.

Aiden McGeady often flatters to deceive but the winger had an afternoon to savour on Saturday, scoring twice in Preston’s 4-2 win over Brentford.

This is Newcastle's 11th away win of the campaign.

Brighton stormed back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with a 4-1 victory over struggling Burton.

Omar Bogle scored a brilliant brace on his full Wigan debut to earn his side a 2-2 draw against Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship.

Matt Ritchie fired a second-half double as Newcastle climbed back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 4-0 home win against Rotherham.

Watford defied their injury crisis to ease into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Burton at Vicarage Road.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he does not know when striker Daniel Sturridge will be fit to return.

Newcastle made it six straight wins in the Sky Bet Championship with a narrow 2-1 victory at Preston which maintained their cushion at the top of the table.

Daniel Sturridge's brace sent Liverpool into the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, though Jurgen Klopp stressed the England striker did not need to prove himself in his eyes.

An injury to Emre Can threatened to sour Liverpool's evening following a comprehensive EFL Cup win at Burton but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp allayed fears over the midfielder.

The firm behind the Top Man/Top Shop retail brand in Ireland returned to profit, last year, with a pre-tax surplus of £289,000 (€366,490).

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has vowed to field the strongest team he can as he bids to end Newcastle’s 46-year trophy drought against Northampton in the Capital One Cup second round tonight.

It may still be very early days but the Championship table will make very pleasant reading for Chris Hughton this morning. 

Operating losses at the Irish arm of UK retail group Arcadia decreased by 90%, last year, to £151,000 (€210,180). The Irish interest operates the Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands.

His first Ireland call-up may have cost Harry Arter the chance to relax in the Dubai sun, but the Bournemouth midfielder’s left foot wand could prove a potent weapon in Sunday’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland.

He’s the Irishman whose goals have ensured that what should be a procession resembles a contest.

McVitie’s and Jaffa Cakes maker United Biscuits is to be swallowed up by Turkish food conglomerate Yildiz Holdings in a deal believed to be worth £2bn (€2.56bn), it was announced today.

Tottenham secured safe passage into the last eight of the Capital One Cup with an unconvincing 2-0 victory against out-of-form Brighton on largely uninspiring night at White Hart Lane.

Holders Manchester City will host Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Manchester United's conquerors the MK Dons were handed a favourable draw in the third round of the Capital One Cup with a home tie against fellow League One side Bradford.