Ireland blow as Hendrick ruled out of opening Euro qualifier

With the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign less than a week away, the weekend’s championship action brought some unwelcome news for Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill as Jeff Hendrick suffered a dislocated shoulder in Derby’s 1-1 draw with Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich.

The injury has obviously ruled Hendrick out of the friendly against Oman on Wednesday and Sunday’s qualifier against Georgia and also represents a significant early-season blow to Derby’s promotion prospects.

There was an extensive delay after Hendrick suffered his injury and while Derby boss Steve McClaren felt that was a factor in a stop-start display from his side, he had already detected signs of complacency before the incident.

“Jeff was down for six minutes and it kind of killed the game in the first half,” he said. “I thought we lost our way before that. Alright, there was a big delay and that maybe sent us down another 10-20% but we’d already scored and thought: ‘that’s the game over’.”

It was a happier afternoon for Simon Cox as the striker’s clinically executed lob after just seven minutes was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Reading at Middlesbrough.

“It was a super goal,” drooled Royals boss Nigel Adkins.

Elsewhere, Keith Andrews scored his first goal for Watford since he joined the Hornets on a season-long loan from Bolton. The header from a corner was a vital contribution too, coming with the game against Huddersfield level at 2-2 and just moments after Watford had been reduced to 10 men. Watford ultimately won 4-2 to stay second in the table.

The early-season pace continues to be set by Nottingham Forest, 1-0 winners at Sheffield Wednesday.

“Our team spirit, resilience and togetherness really shone through in the end,” Andy Reid, who, like Hendrick, will miss the upcoming internationals due to injury, said. “Those qualities have got us a fantastic result and we know we’re heading in the right direction. Slowly but surely we’re building something.”

Inverness continue to lead the way in the Scottish Premiership after a 2-0 victory at home to Kilmarnock. Aaron Doran’s second goal of the season with 15 minutes left put Inverness on course for victory.

Back in England and in League One, Eoin Doyle continued his impressive start to the campaign by scoring his fifth goal of the season to help Chesterfield to a 2-1 win at Port Vale. The win lifted Chesterfield to fifth and manager Paul Cook said: “Eoin will score goals. He is as honest as they come; he works so hard for the team.”

Like Doyle, Conor Hourihane has started the season in flying form and he netted a stunner – albeit with a slight defection – from 25 yards in Barnsley’s 1-1 with Yeovil Town.

Tykes boss Danny Wilson said: “That’s three goals now for Conor and teams will start to look at that, let’s hope he can add to his tally. When you have got that in your side it’s very good ammunition.”

In League Two, Cian Bolger endured a miserable, if brief, afternoon on Saturday as the defender was sent off for a second bookable offence after just 15 minutes in Southend’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth. Southend boss Phil Brown later revealed he planned to take Bolger off after the first booking but the second caution came before he had time to make the substitution.