Conor Sammon rises to occasion

How the Irish fared: It’s a football tradition. Club opts to dispose of player. The player finds new club. The old and the new meet and the player returns to haunt former employers.

On Saturday that player was Conor Sammon. The Derby striker joined Ipswich on a season-long loan last August but after scoring just once for the Tractor Boys the deal was cut short, allowing Sammon to join Rotherham on loan in January.

“We’ve got him for 12 months but it’s completely unfair if he’s not going to play. I’m depriving him of playing, so he’s moved on,” Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy said at the time.

On Saturday McCarthy was left rueing that act of decency as Sammon’s goal helped Rotherham to a 2-0 Championship victory over Ipswich.

Ipswich dropped to fifth and fall six points of an automatic promotion slot as McCarthy’s 56th birthday proved a less than happy one.

McCarthy said: “It’s sod’s law but Sammon gets that chance because we didn’t mark properly and then he puts it in the net.”

For his part, Rotherham manager Steve Evans was thrilled with Sammon’s efforts after a win that lifted the Millers six points clear of the drop zone.

“Conor Sammon does a lot of things in the game that perhaps not everyone sees,” Evans said. “His willingness to work hard is an asset. I don’t think the Ipswich defence had a minute’s rest.”

Jeff Hendrick bagged a brace as Derby maintained their promotion push with a 4-1 win over Bolton. It was the first time Hendrick got his name on the scoresheet since he grabbed a double against Wolves in November. Sean Scannell will also be content after his neat finish helped Huddersfield to a 3-1 win at Millwall.

“I said to Sean Scannell before the game that he was due a goal or an assist and he delivered,” manager Chris Powell said.

In League Two Kevin Feely was sent off in Newport’s 2-0 defeat to Wimbledon while a goal from Jamie Devitt proved scant consolation as Morecambe lost 2-1 at Northampton.

Wes Hoolahan produced a contender for assist of the season as his delightful one-two created a goal for Gary Hooper in Norwich’s 4-0 win over Blackpool.

In the Scottish Premiership, Adam Rooney scored the opener as Aberdeen hammered Ross County 4-0 to go level on points with leaders Celtic.