The latest JOE Scout’s Report looks at four more Irishmen making waves in England, including three rejuvenated former internationals.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
The season came to a disappointing end for Aston Villa and Richard Dunne on Sunday as an own goal from the Irish defender gave Blackburn a single goal victory at Villa Park.
However, the final day setback won’t take the gloss of what has proved to be a brilliant campaign for the Tallaght man.
The 30-year-old centre half was surprisingly deemed surplus to Manchester City’s requirements at the start of the season. Since then, he has proved the flush team in Manchester committed a huge error by letting go their former four-time Player of the Year.
While City struggled defensively, Villa, with Dunne at the helm, finished the season with the best Premier League defensive record.
Not to mention Dunne, who made 41 appearances, was named in the PFA Team of the Year, as Aston Villa Player of the Year and was labelled ‘the best transfer of the season’ by Alex Ferguson.
CHAMPIONSHIP: Mark Kennedy (Cardiff City)
Mark Kennedy’s dream of a Premier League swansong is still alive after Cardiff City defeated Leicester City in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi final.
Kennedy turns 34 this week and knows time is running out if he is to make a return to a top-flight he previously graced for six seasons.
Victory over Leicester sees the former winger turned left back take a step closer to the Premier dream but there is still a long way to go: Leicester visit Cardiff City Stadium for the second leg on Wednesday night, with a Wembley date with either Blackpool or Nottingham Forest awaiting the winners.
Dubliner Kennedy, who was once the most expensive teenager in British football when he moved from Millwall to Liverpool for £2m pounds, has played a vital role in the Welsh side’s recent success.
The former Irish international, whose club captain is former Leeds sensation and Irish cap Stephen McPhail, is the first choice left back and played over 30 games this term.
LEAGUE ONE: Michael Doyle (Leeds United)
Michael Doyle will be plying his trade in the Championship next season but will it be in the blue of Coventry or the white of Leeds?
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Michael Doyle in action during Leeds’ FA Cup third round win over Manchester United in January
The combative midfielder helped Leeds to a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers on Saturday, thus ensuring automatic promotion for the Whites in the process.
Without being overly spectacular the Dubliner, who is on loan at Elland Road from the Ricoh Arena, played a central role in a season that saw Leeds return to the Championship.
Doyle was also a regular in The Whites’ impressive FA Cup run. Indeed his displays against Premier League opposition in the prestigious cup sparked talk of an Irish call up.
Now it remains to be seen if the Tallaght man will return to Coventry, who will be under new management next season, or stay with the once mighty Leeds.
LEAGUE TWO: John Thompson (Notts County)
John Thompson is the only Irish league winning captain of the 2009-2010 season, with the once-capped Irish international capping a brilliant season by lifting the League Two title with Notts County with a game to spare.
The celebrations mark a big turnaround for the former Ireland under-21 captain.
Injury problems had seen Thompson change from a star in the making to a journey-man loan player. However, having signed terms with the Magpies midway through last season he was quickly promoted to captain for this term.
That choice was vindicated as cash-rich County, led by an inspirational Thompson, lifted the League Two crown.
– By Jonny Stapleton
