Irish Players Abroad: Parrott's Remarkable Goalscoring Stat

With the Premier League finally returning this weekend, the majority of Irish players abroad are now back in action for the 2025-26 season, but our first focus will be on a striker slightly further afield.

Troy Parrott remarkably scored his ninth goal of the season in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-2 draw with FC Volendam at the weekend, and the Dubliner is averaging a goal every 44 minutes - better than one every half.

The 23-year-old is staking a real claim to be the starting number nine in Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers next month.

Parrott has really found his feet in the Eredivisie with this his third full season in the Netherlands and his second at AZ. He has 46 goals in 85 games in that time.

Testing Start For Brentford

In the Premier League, however, it was a worrying start for Ireland’s contingent at Brentford with Keith Andrews’ first game in charge ending in a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Both Caoimhin Kelleher and new club captain Nathan Collins played the full 90 minutes, and neither can be blamed for the defeat.

After already losing manager Thomas Frank, key players Bryan Mbuemo and Christian Norgaard there were always going to be serious worries about Brentford. However, it is too early to condemn a club that has consistently shown itself to be a clever operator.

Other Irish players involved in the opening Premier League weekend include Matt Doherty who played the full 90 minutes at right centre-back in Wolves’ 4-0 loss to Manchester City, while Josh Cullen impressed in his first game as Burnley club captain despite their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Impressive Irish Championship Cameos

In the Championship, Finn Azaz returned from injury to come off the bench and provide an assist in Middlesbrough’s impressive 3-0 win over Millwall, while Mikey Johnston went one better as he created two goals in a 17-minute cameo as West Brom beat Wrexham 3-2.

In the same game, James McLean provided an assist for Wrexham while Jayson Molumby played the full 90 for the Baggies.

It was a more frustrating weekend for Rocco Vata, who was an unused substitute for Watford as they beat QPR 2-1. The winger is yet to feature this season as he missed the opening weekend with an injury.

Kasey McAteer could only manage four minutes from the bench as Leicester City were beaten 2-1 by Preston North End.

Big Question Marks at Celtic

Up in Scotland, Johnny Kenny made just his second start for Celtic as they beat Falkirk 4-1 in the Scottish League Cup, while Adam Idah was an unused substitute.

With Brendan Rodgers clearly keen to add a striker to his ranks, it remains to be seen the role either will play this season.

On The Continent

Further afield, Joe Hodge is getting regular football in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, starting both of Tondela’s games this season, but they have lost both without scoring.

After being a substitute in Istanbul Basaksehir’s four Europa Conference League qualifiers, Festy Ebosele started their first Super Lig game, a 0-0 draw with Kayserispor.

And finally, Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros suffered what could be a significant 2-1 defeat to Puskas Akademia. Keane’s side finished just three points ahead of PAFC last season to clinch the title.

Callum O’Dowda was an unused sub in the game, but the 30-year-old has started all four of their Champions League qualifiers thus far.