The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

By Ian McCullough

Sheffield is undeniably one of the most traditional and largest football communities in Britain although the Steel City’s two teams, United and Wednesday, have had little in the way of success for many years.

Two of the oldest English clubs met last Saturday at Bramall Lane in a derby that is as fiercely contested and anticipated by both sets of supporters as any of the big city encounters that are such a fabric of the English game.

Whenever a player crosses the city divide and leaves one club for their rivals there is always an element of resentment from the fans of the outfit he has left, especially when he is a product of their academy.

Although Alan Quinn did not quite receive the abuse that Sol Campbell gets from Spurs fans whenever Arsenal come to White Hart Lane, to say his reception from Wednesday followers whenever they play United is not quite as cordial as it once was is something of an understatement. Especially when he scores the winning goal against them.

This is precisely what happened on Saturday when the Dubliner wrote his name into the history books and became the first player to score in a Sheffield derby for both clubs.

His 29th-minute strike sealed a 1-0 win for the Blades and added to the Owls’ woes in what has been a tough return to the Championship.

Robbie Keane has been constantly linked with a move away from Spurs but it has not stopped him finding the net as he made it two in as many games in his side’s 3-2 win over poor Mick McCarthy’s seemingly-doomed Sunderland side. However, he was not quite as sharp from the spot when he missed a penalty in the second-half.

Kevin Doyle made it nine for the season for Reading as they extended their lead over Sheffield United at the top of the Championship to four points with a 3-0 win over Luton.

Doyle could be soon joined in the Royals side by a fellow Wexfordman called Conor Synott. The 19-year-old joined from Wexford All Blacks on a six-month contract after a three-week trial. Synott was captain of his county in their national soccer championship victory earlier this year.

North of the border Aiden McGeady helped Celtic back to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a goal in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The FA and Carling Cups were also happy hunting grounds for Irish players over the past week. Doncaster have been the big giant killers in the Carling Cup this season as Aston Villa joined Manchester City on the receiving end of a humbling at Belle Vue.

Dubliners Paul Heffernan and Sean Thornton both found the net in a superb 3-0 win which heaps even more pressure on Villans boss David O’Leary. Arsenal will be the next Premiership side hoping to avoid a humiliation at the tiny South Yorkshire club’s hands.

David Connolly grabbed the winner for Wigan against Newcastle to book his side a place in the quarter-finals against Bolton and John O’Shea made it two goals in a week with Manchester United’s third in a 3-1 win over West Brom.

United now meet Birmingham who beat Millwall on penalties after the score finished 2-2 after extra time. Dubliner Alan Dunne scored the Lions’ first goal with a stunning finish.

In the FA Cup Andy Keogh sealed a 1-0 win for Scunthorpe to tie-up a lucrative visit to Manchester City in the third round.