How the Irish fared: Leeds debut for Limerick’s Paudie O’Connor

Saturday was a landmark day for Paudie O’Connor as the 20-year-old from Limerick made his Leeds United debut in the 1-1 Championship draw at home to Sunderland.

The defender, who joined the Elland Road outfit on a two-and-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee last year following a short trial, more than held his own on his first start, producing an assured display that won him praise from manager Paul Heckingbottom.

“Paudie did okay and we exposed him a little bit more than we would have liked,” Heckingbottom said. “It was a big ask for him but he stood up to it well. Paudie is a good character and he will be better for the experience.”