On the face of it, there isn’t a huge amount to cheer about for Irish fans in the Premier League this season
Martin O’Neill has a grand total of zero players in the Champions League, and just six Ireland players were selected by their clubs to start on the opening day of the season.
6 Irish starters in PL today: Brady, Hoolahan (Norwich) Delaney (Palace) Coleman, McCarthy (Everton) Clark (Villa) – John O’Shea only a sub
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) August 8, 2015
Of those six, just two were on winning sides as the new season cranked into action.
Ciaran Clark produced a man of the match performance in Aston Villa’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
And Damien Delaney – who rarely features in O’Neill’s Ireland selections – found the net in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
It was a strike that was greeted with glee from South East London to East Anglia as Eagles and Tractor Boys united behind Damo.
First the goal.
It was one off the training ground, as they say, with Delaney at hand to sweep home at the back post after a well-worked corner routine.
One man’s bad defending …
Playground defending from Norwich as Delaney slots home at the far post.. Carrow Road in silence, apart from signing Eagles!
— Jim van Wijk (@jimvanwijkPA) August 8, 2015
… is another’s well-worked routine
GREAT ROUTINE! Puncheon crosses to the edge of the box, Souare heads it in and Delaney belts it home. 2-0! Come on you Palace! #NORCRY
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 8, 2015
But Palace fans didn’t care.
Did I hear that right??? Delaney??
— Hornchurch Eagle (@andy_lobo) August 8, 2015
AHAHHAA DELANEY!!!!! YOU BEAST!
— Dominic (@DominicNardizzi) August 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/palmavioIets/status/630032721755140096
Delaney you beautiful old fucker❤️💙
— Dann (@danielhall1997) August 8, 2015
And some Palace fans begrudgingly get behind their defender
https://twitter.com/money4nuffin/status/630032718932393984
Meanwhile over in Ipswich the goal is treated with almost equal glee
Delaney used to play for Ipswich and so his strike against their hated local rivals Norwich is cause for celebration…
Damien Delaney scores at the same time, what a lad!!!
— josh porter (@joshuaporter97) August 8, 2015
DELANEY YOU BEAUTY! #itfc
— Sam Clements (@samITFC) August 8, 2015
I've always loved Damien Delaney. #itfc.
— Thomas Seggons (@TheSegITFC) August 8, 2015
DELANEY YOU BEAUTY, against the scum
— Hogan Cobbold 📸 (@hogancobbold) August 8, 2015
But some aren’t so sure what Irish Eyes are smiling really means
OH MY GOODNESS DELANEY!!!!!!!!!!! Irish Eyes smiling on Norwich!!!!
— michael ian block (@itsmikeo) August 8, 2015
