Mick McCarthy confirmed potential Ireland recruit Patrick Bamford has agreed to meet him in the coming weeks.

If Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is to find his way to the net for Ireland then, first of all, it would be helpful if he could find his way to a phone.

Newport County’s remarkable FA Cup odyssey may have ended on Saturday but a 4-1 defeat didn’t stop Irish striker Pádraig Amond from leaving the pitch with a pep in his step.

In some ways, Pep Guardiola might feel he cannot win. The development of Phil Foden has become the cause celebre of English football, largely because the England national team is missing a pure midfield creator and Foden seems to fit the bill.

How the Irish fared

James McClean was subjected to a torrent of abuse for refusing to wear a Remembrance Day poppy in Stoke’s 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough. He later took to social media where he labelled a section of supporters “uneducated cavemen”.

With the Nations League double-header against Denmark and Wales looming, Callum Robinson fired a reminder of his talents to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill when scoring twice as Preston moved off the foot of the Championship table after a 4-0 win over Wigan.

Whodunnit? That was the question that was being asked after Preston kept their play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 Championship victory at QPR.

Mauricio Pochettino's men edged one step closer to ending the club's 10-year wait for a trophy.

Harry Kane rescued Tottenham’s FA Cup hopes as his late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw at Newport.

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

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

In what looks like being his final game for the club, Robbie Brady showed the Norwich supporters what they’ll miss if he finally completes a move to Burnley, providing a typically pinpoint set-piece delivery to create the second goal in the Canaries’ 2-0 Championship victory over Birmingham.

Chris Hughton isn’t the revenge type but you’d have to suspect Saturday’s 5-0 mauling of Norwich City in the Championship meant plenty to the Brighton boss.

Wes Hoolahan picked up where he left off on Saturday, following up a brilliant display in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova with another superb showing as Norwich beat Rotherham 3-1 to go top of the Championship table.

Daryl Murphy has set his sights on promotion after completing his move from Ipswich to Newcastle yesterday.

Jeff Hendrick should have been sent off for a “shocking challenge” before playing a central role in Derby’s last-gasp equaliser in their 1-1 draw against fellow playoff hopefuls Brentford on Saturday.

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.

Daryl Murphy’s importance to the Ipswich cause was brought into sharp focus at the weekend.

Steve McClaren hailed Jeff Hendrick as a player who has "everything" after the Republic of Ireland international struck a late winner to hand Derby a 1-0 victory over Rotherham on the opening day of the Championship season.

It may be a time of the year for family, fun and festivities, but try telling that to the many Irish footballers based abroad who regularly miss out on the magic of Christmas.

“Six years ago we were the predators, now we are the prey,” said Portuguese paper Publico yesterday, of a match where the Danes can afford to wait to catch their opponents on the break, whereas Portugal have to score.

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to stay clear at the top of the table when they take on Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 8pm.

Sligo Rovers 2 Shamrock Rovers 1

Sligo Rovers 4 UCD 0

Bray Wanderers 1 Sligo Rovers 3

PÁDRAIG AMOND stunned UCD with a stoppage-time goal at The Showgrounds last night to take all three points.

Sligo Rovers 2 UCD 1

Sligo Rovers will be without Danny Ventre for tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash with UCD at The Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers 3 Galway United 0

UCD 0 Sligo Rovers 2

UCD take on Paul Cook’s Sligo Rovers in tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash at the UCD Bowl, kick-off 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers 4 St Patrick's Athletic 1

Sligo Rovers 5 Bray Wanderers 1

THE Republic of Ireland U23 side lost their opening game of the International Challenge Trophy when they went down to England in front of a crowd of 1,570 at the RSC last night to all but end their chances of progressing in the competition.

Lorcan Fitzgerald has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad ahead of Wednesday night’s match against England at the RSC. The Sporting Fingal defender replaces Ian Bermingham of St Patrick’s Athletic, who has been forced to withdraw due to an Achilles injury.

Dundalk defender Shaun Kelly has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad to face England at the RSC next Wednesday.

Sligo Rovers 6 Drogheda United 0