Manchester United fans were involved in more football-related arrests where racism was an aggravating factor or a feature than any other club in England in the four seasons up to 2017-18, data from the UK Home Office shows.

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.

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.

Also included is Aston Villa's Glenn Whelan, who was expected to have played his last game for Ireland after captaining the side in a 36-minute ceremonial cameo against Northern Ireland in November.

Midfielder Alan Browne once again demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess when his 11th of the season helped Preston to a 2-1 Championship victory at Bolton.

There’s no Ireland striker in better form than David McGoldrick at the moment and the 31-year-old illustrated that reality again this weekend, opening the scoring as Sheffield United maintained their promotion push courtesy of a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

How the Irish fared

Holders Chelsea are safely through to the fourth round of the FA Cup but Premier League Cardiff were victims of a giant-killing act by Gillingham.

It's safe to say Patrick McEleney didn’t know much about this debut goal...

While Sean Maguire’s brace in Preston’s 3-1 Championship win at Bolton was the main Irish storyline from Saturday, Patrick McEleney will also have fond memories of a weekend where the weather wrecked havoc with the sports programme.

Darren Norris looks at how the Irish in England got on this weekend.

Ipswich may not always entertain but Mick McCarthy is invariably good value. He certainly was after Ipswich came from behind to beat Burton 2-1 on Saturday. 

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

Mick McCarthy was grateful for a moment of “magic” from David McGoldrick as Ipswich maintained their perfect start to the new Championship season by winning 2-1 at Barnsley on Saturday.

New surroundings, same narrative. Sean Maguire has got used to that winning feeling this year; his goals ensuring Cork City have turned this season’s Airtricity League Premier Division title race into a procession.

Wes Hoolahan was at his mesmeric best at the weekend, scoring twice as Norwich hammered play-off contenders Reading 7-1.

Millwall produced the shock of the day.

A year that featured the glorious high of scoring Ireland’s winner against Italy in Lille ended in frustrating fashion for Robbie Brady as the Dubliner was sent off in Norwich City’s 0-0 Championship draw at Brentford on Saturday.

These are difficult times for Mick McCarthy but Ipswich eased the pressure on their beleaguered manager by claiming a 2-1 Championship win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Aiden McGeady began the latest chapter of his career by scoring on his Preston debut on Saturday but his fine strike from 25 yards wasn’t enough to earn his new employers anything in their Championship clash with Barnsley.

It was a contrasting weekend for the two Irish managers dreaming of pitting their wits against the Premier League elite next season. 

Remember when Eoin Doyle was scoring for fun? 

Alan Judge hopes his match-winning brace for Brentford in the 2-1 Championship win over Rotherham on Saturday will have given Martin O’Neill food for thought ahead of next month’s Euro 2016 play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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. 

Former Chelsea and England striker Kerry Dixon has been jailed for nine months after being found guilty of assault.

The final day of the Championship brought contrasting emotions for the Irish as the title and the identity of the last two teams to reach the play-offs was decided.

It was an eventful day for the Irish at The Den on Saturday as Derby continued to stumble towards a play-off spot after twice coming from two goals down to draw 3-3 at struggling Millwall. 

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

FA Cup — Saturday review

Blyth Spartans saw their hopes of an FA Cup third-round upset ended by Birmingham’s second-half fightback at Croft Park.

Hull will have an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal after drawing the holders in January’s FA Cup third round.

Northampton defender and Professional Footballers’ Association chairman Clarke Carlisle has called time on his playing career.

The death of former Republic of Ireland international Tony Grealish has been confirmed by Brighton and Hove Albion, the club he used to captain.

Luton 0 Millwall 3

Luton are determined to savour their success after returning from the brink to become the first non-League side in 24 years to beat top-flight opposition in the FA Cup.

Leeds were rewarded for their victory over Tottenham with a trip to Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Norwich 0 Luton 1

Saracens are in discussion with Barnet Council over the possibility of staging their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at their new Allianz Park home.

Wolves have confirmed Dean Saunders as their new manager after agreeing compensation with Doncaster.

Dean Saunders is poised to become the new manager of Wolves.