The Irish abroad: Amond, Sheridan, Foley and McGeady

No Irishman scored in the European leagues this week, but the results for their teams were mostly positive.

By Conor Hogan

The United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina; throughout the centuries Irish people have emigrated to and populated some of the farthest corners of the World. Our footballers, however, have been slightly less adventurous.

They have emigrated, that is true, but only usually as far as our next door neighbours – Scotland and England. Below is a list of four men who were not put off by the language barrier or the prospect of having to eat unusual foods. Each week we will take a look and see how they fared in their team’s last fixture.

Padraig Amond (Pacos de Ferreira)

Padraig Amond must be wondering how much of a move-up in the world the Portuguese Liga actually is, as a mere 384 people showed up for Paco de Ferreira’s away fixture with Naval 1º de Maio (in contrast, his previous club Sligo Rovers could often expect attendances of close to 3,000).

Amond’s team managed a 2-1 victory, though Amond himself was an unused substitute. The win moves Pacos up to the lofty heights of eighth in the Portuguese Liga.

Cillian Sheridan (CSKA Sofia)

Cillian Sheridan played all 180 minutes for CSKA Sofia in last two fixtures – at home in the Europa League to Porto, and away to second place Lokomotiv Sofia in the Romanian League. Unfortunately, the ex-Celtic man wasn’t able to find the net in either game.

He had a chance near the end of CSKA’s 1-0 loss to Porto to grab a vital equaliser, only for goalkeeper Helton to comfortably save. His team had a more positive result against Lokomotiv, as they came from 2-0 down at half-time to secure a 2-2 draw – Brazilian midfielder Marquinhos bagging a brace. CSKA move up one place in the table to eighth, but the the gap between themselves and Levski, who are top of the table, is still ten points.

Dominic Foley (Cercle Brugge)

Dominic Foley returned from injury this Saturday to take his place on the bench for Cercle Brugge’s away match against Lierse – a team currently second last in the Belgian table. His team were leading 1-0 when he was brought on as a 65th minute substitute for 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Reynaldo.

Foley held the ball up well, and caused the shaky Lierse defenders some problems, but worryingly for the 34-year-old, who scored 14 goals in 2009/2010, he yet again failed to find the net, the eighth time he has failed to do so this season.

Cercle Brugge have won three of their last four fixtures and find themselves in eight place, level on points with sixth place Club Brugge.

Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow)

Another week and another man of the match performance from the Glasgow-born Irish international. McGeady terrorised the Anzhi Makhachkala defence in a more comfortable than it sounds 1-0 away victory. The match was eventful for more than just McGeady’s performance, however, as Anzhi fans rioted.

"During the game, we had a corner and I was making my way up that side of the pitch and I could see over amongst the fans," McGeady said in an interview.

"There was a big riot. I don't think it was the police and the Spartak fans, I don't know what happened. And then I saw the Anzhi fans running up to the Spartak fans, tearing out seats and throwing them at the Spartak fans.”

Despite the occasional crowd trouble, McGeady is enjoying life in Russia and at Spartak.

"It's been going great for me,” McGeady said.

“Some people said I would be mad not to go and others were saying it is a big change, a different culture with a language barrier and that it's too far away from home.

"It didn't really make it harder, because I feel I am quite strong-minded anyway," he added.

Spartak’s recent good form has seen them surge up to fourth in the table. Their poor start to the season could cost them a Champions League place, however, as they are nine points behind third-place CSKA Moscow.