The look of the Irish

THE GOOD

Stephen Gleeson: The midfielder curled home a free-kick to rescue a point for the MK Dons in Saturday’s League One clash against play-off rivals Huddersfield. The Dons were trailing 1-0 when they were awarded a free-kick wide on the left after 62 minutes. Gleeson whipped the set-piece into the air but slightly overhit it and the ball fortuitously ended up in the top corner of the net.

Eoin Doyle: The former Sligo Rovers striker was the match-winner as Pat Fenlon’s Hibernian reached the last eight of the Scottish Cup thanks to a 1-0 home success over Kilmarnock. Doyle’s goal came after just 15 minutes when he turned a pull back into the far left corner. That proved enough for Hibs and Fenlon was full of praise for his side’s defensive display.

THE BAD

Joe Mason: The in-form striker thought he had put Cardiff on course for a vital victory against promotion rivals Blackpool when he gobbled up a knock down to fire home his seventh goal of the season from close range after 59 minutes. But there was to be late frustration for Mason as Cardiff collapsed in the final 11 minutes, conceding three times, to lose 3-1.

Joe Murphy: The Coventry goalkeeper had a horrible day at the office as the basement club lost 3-2 at home to Ipswich. That Ipswich’s first goal came from a sizeable deflection was bad enough but Murphy must have known it wasn’t going to be his day when he saved a penalty only to see Ipswich score the rebound. A last-gasp Ipswich winner rubbed salt into his wounds.

THE UGLY

David Meyler: The midfielder, making his first start of the season for Sunderland, was lucky to avoid serious injury after a reckless tackle from Stoke defender Robert Huth. The German was sent off for the challenge, a decision that incensed Tony Pulis. The Stoke boss accused Meyler of play-acting and rolling around the ground, a claim replays proved to be inaccurate.

David Forde: There is a general belief that goalkeepers get too much protection from referees but it’s doubtful the Millwall netminder will agree after his experience against West Ham on Saturday. The game was level at 1-1 when Forde attempted to punch a long ball clear. As he did so he was clattered by West Ham’s Julien Faubert and with the goalkeeper on the ground the ball was swept into the unguarded net.