Highs & lows for Irish players on Championship final day

The npower Championship doesn’t face anywhere near the media glare in England that the division above does, but it truly proved its value as a competition on Saturday afternoon in front of the watching footballing world – one that has only just picked their jaws up from the ground.

Viewers were subject to breathless entertainment, with more twists and turns than had seemed possible. It may be a cliché, but you would really have trouble writing something as dramatic as the final day of the Championship.

Most eyes were turned to the top of the table, where several Irish figures played a key role. It had come down to a straight battle for second place and automatic promotion between Hull City and Watford, who were taking on Cardiff City and Leeds United respectively – both clubs with nothing to play for but pride.

Cardiff had already qualified for the Premier League as league champions. Their squad however just contains two first team players from the Republic of Ireland, in the shape of Joe Mason and Stephen McPhail.

Hull went into the game carrying an advantage. All they had to do was win, and it would mean they could celebrate promotion to the holy grail that is the Premier League. For Watford on the other hand, they had to try and hope their Yorkshire adversaries failed to win and that they bettered their result.

What ensued can only be described as madness.

In Hull, Steve Bruce’s side went one goal down just after half time, before goals from Nick Proschwitz and Irish international Paul McShane (assisted by Robbie Brady) gave the hosts the lead. Proschwitz then squandered the opportunity to make it 3-1 and well and truly good night to Watford’s automatic promotion hopes, when he saw his penalty kick saved.

Cardiff then went straight up the other end and grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 90^th minute – meaning that all Watford had to do was win and they had Premier League football confirmed for next season.

What happened next was absolutely extraordinary. The score in the south of England had been locked at 1-1when news of Cardiff’s equaliser arrived, but due to stoppages from a serious injury to goalkeeper Jonathon Bond in the first half, events were 15 minutes behind what they should have been.

So instead of pushing on for the final few seconds, Watford had a quarter of an hour to try and find that winning goal. In keeping with the incredible day of football it was however, there was to be yet another twist in the tale.

Jack Bonham, an untried youngster making his debut for the club (and a former Irish U17 international), was the man who came on for the injured Jonathon Bond. While there wasn’t much he could have done for Leeds’ first goal, he was clearly at fault for their second, one that was conceded with seconds remaining and killed off any hopes of a late winner.

It also meant that it would be Hull City who will join Cardiff City and one other club to be decided in the upcoming play-off final in the 2013/14 Premier League campaign. The Tiger’s promotion will delight many Irish football fans, as their squad contains four Irish players.

Among them is Paul McShane, the man who scored the goal to put them ahead initially, as well as former Manchester United youngster Robbie Brady. They are joined by ex-Cork City man David Meyler, and youngster Stephen Quinn.

For Watford, their Irish contingent will not be celebrating long into the night. Aside from the obviously heartbroken Jack Bonham who suffered what is the worst possible debut for the first team, there is midfielder Mark Yeates and wide player Sean Murray.

At the other end of the league table, there was incredible drama of its own. Peterborough United lost 3-2 in thrilling circumstances to suffer relegation to League One, along with Irishman Kane Ferdinand.

A total of six men who call the Emerald Isle home will also be dropping down a division with Wolverhampton Wanderers, who crashed out of the Championship after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion. International trio Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ward and Stephen Hunt will be playing at a lower level next year, along with fellow countrymen Matt Doherty, Kevin Foley and Aaron McCarey.

The final club to suffer the drop was Bristol City, who fell from the second tier of English football in the comprehensive nature of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic. In the club’s squad is just two Irishmen – Greg Cunningham and Brendan Moloney.

In total there will be 15 Irish football players who will be no longer be plying their trade in the npower Championship next season unless transferred back.

Irish playing with teams promoted to the Premier League

Cardiff City FC - Stephen McPhail, Joe Mason

Hull City FC - Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn, Robbie Brady, David Meyler

Irish playing with teams relegated to the League One

Bristol City FC - Brendan Moloney, Greg Cunningham

Peterborough United FC - Kane Ferdinand

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Matt Doherty, Kevin Foley, Aaron McCarey

Irish playing with teams in Premier League playoff

Brighton and Hove Albion FC - Gary Dicker, Marcos Painter

Crystal Palace FC - Paddy McCarthy, Owen Garvan, Damien Delaney

Leicester City FC - Sean St Ledger, Conrad Logan

Watford FC - Mark Yeates, Sean Murray, Connor Smith, Jack Bonham,